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Hand-Knotted and Hand-Tufted Rugs: What's the Difference?
When you’re on the lookout for a brand new rug for your home, you may notice a number of different production techniques. To be more specific, two of the most common terms you’ll come across are ‘hand-knotted rugs’ and ‘hand-tufted rugs’. They may initially seem to be similar, but in fact there are a number of differences – so let’s take a look at the differences between hand-knotted rugs and hand-tufted rugs.
What is a hand-knotted rug?
To start off, let’s find out more about hand-knotted rugs. Just as the name suggests, a hand-knotted rug is a very intricate process by which a weaver must create many tiny knots. Depending on the number of knots per square inch the weaver is able to craft, so too does the quality and density of the resulting rug increase. What this means is that some of the world’s finest rugs have been hand-knotted in incredible detail by some of the most talented weavers. A standard day for a weaver may include hand-knotting over 11,000 knots, so it’s easy to see why some larger rugs can be very expensive when produced this way.
What is a hand-tufted rug?
It’s fair to say that hand-tufted rugs are more commonly seen on an everyday basis. The way hand-tufting works is that the creator starts with a sheet of canvas or similar material, then literally pulls another fibre through this using a needle of some kind. These strands must be brought in and out of the canvas base material such that a rug pile is built up over time. Hand-tufted rugs are not as time consuming as the hand-knotted alternative, and so are generally less expensive. However, that doesn't mean that hand-tufted rugs are low quality; far from it, these are still rugs created with care and attention – so don’t discount a hand-tufted rug.
Which is right for you?
Whether you choose a hand-knotted rug or a hand-tufted rug is really a matter of personal taste. Each of these techniques will create a slightly different pile when completed, so the feel underfoot will likewise differ. Some say that hand-knotted rugs may be denser, however hand-tufted rugs are also very soft and durable. Another consideration is the material used to create these rugs; natural and synthetic fibres will make a difference too. We’d recommend that you try out these two variants of modern rugs and decide which of them you would prefer in your home.
Explore our rug shop now to learn more about hand-crafted rugs, and discover the perfect one for you.
