Hand-knotted rugs last for years when taken care of properly. When chosen carefully, these rugs add color, style, warmth, fun and an exotic sense into a living space. Today, there are many options to choose from when buying your hand knotted rug. These options can make your shopping overwhelming. Nevertheless, when you know the rules to follow, the buying process becomes easier. Here are the rules or things that you should know when buying a hand-knotted rug:

  1. Know the knot type you want. A hand-knotted can have a Persian knot, a Turkish knot or a Jufti knot. A Persian knot is usually open to a single side and asymmetrical. The knot is less bulky and it doesn’t leave gaps. This knot is ideal for creating floral patterns or intricate curvilinear. Persian knots are popular in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, India, Tibet, Nepal and China. Turkish knots are symmetrical. They are easy to identify with small bumps in a single knot usually on the back side of the rug. This gives the knot a double knot’s look. This knot is popular among Northern Iran, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Turkey rugs. This knot is also called a false knot. Jufti knots are made by tying the knots around four warp threads instead of two warp threads. This short cut enables weavers to spend relatively lesser time on this rug. Thus, the resulting rug has low quality and value.
  1. Hand-knotted rugs take time to make, be patient. On average, a weaver takes about 8 hours per day to weave around 10,000 knots. That means weaving a carpet can take a weaver 30 days to 8 years depending on the design intricacy and rug size. However, most companies that make rugs take between 9 and 12 months to make a rug. Rugman can weave your rug and deliver it within 4 months.
  1. An experienced, specialized weaver individually knots a hand-knotted rug. Hand-knotted rugs are the best products when it comes to carpets and rugs. Each knot is tied by a skilled weaver to come up with an intricate design and pattern.
  1. Hand-knotted rugs are unique pieces. Rugman has a huge category of rugs from specialized and experienced artisans that do not employ stencils in their weaving. They use cartoons that are sketched out before the knotting process to guide them. Rugman has a large category of unique pieces. Each unique hand-knotted rug is exceptionally woven with a unique artistic work that you will be proud to display in your living space.
  1. Weavers use their hands to weave hand-knotted rugs on a designed loom. The loom has vertical threads or warp tied onto it which becomes the rug’s fringe. The weft runs horizontally and it intertwines with vertical threads to form the rug’s foundation. To secure knots, each knot is tied to warp thread and cut before being tied again. Experienced weavers take two seconds to tie every knot.
  1. Hand-knotted rugs are made using different materials. A hand-knotted rug may be woven using silk, wool, or silk and wool. However, hand-knotted rugs are never woven using synthetic materials like nylon, polypropylene, polyester or acrylic. Wool from sheep is an anti-bacterial, renewable, and hypo-allergenic resource. The process of shearing wool from sheep doesn’t hurt them. In fact, they enjoy it. Hand-knotted rugs woven from silk are luxurious and stunning. However, this quality attracts additional cost. Therefore, be wary of dealers that sell silk hand-knotted rugs at too good prices. There are rug dealers that market their products as 100% silk but the rugs are made of viscose or rayon. The best rugs are made of bamboo silk because it is environmentally friendly and durable. When both silk and wool are used to weave a rug, the resulting product has both silk and wool woven into an intricate design for form the sheen.
  1. Rugs made of New Zealand wool are one of the best. If you buy a hand knotted rug made of wool, find out where the wool came from. Oriental rugs, such as those from Iran are typically the best rugs. Their wool will come from that country or in our example from Iran. But for new rugs manufactured from companies find out where the wool comes from. That’s because Hand Knotted rugs that are made of New Zealand wool are of the highest quality. Basically, you should avoid rugs that are made of highly processed wool.
  1. Hand-knotted rugs are different from hand-tufted rugs. A tufting tool is used to punch yarn into the fabric baking and hide glue that holds a hand-tufted rug together. The process of making a tufted rug entails stretching a stenciled canvas behind to make punching or tracing the design into the rug possible. The process is made faster by a tufting gun. Some skills are required to make a tufted rug.
  1. The value of a hand-knotted rug is determined by the number of knots. Hand-knotted rugs that have more knots are more valuable. Nevertheless, other factors determine the value of a rug as well. These include size, design, age, and material. But, due to the time required to wrap each knot and the material that is used to do this, the knot count in every square inch is the major factor that determines the value of a hand-knotted rug. Knot count can start from 50 KSPIand go beyond 1000.
  1. Understand the dye type. Most dyes appear true and brilliant when you see them for the first time. However, the colorfast dye is the best dye for hand-knotted carpets. To determine whether the dye is colorfast, place a damp cloth over a rug and leave it there overnight. The dye of the rug is unstable if it transfers onto the damp cloth. That means you may ask the dealer to allow you to test the dye first. Avoid a dealer that doesn’t offer you a money back guarantee or allow you to take the rug on consignment.
  1. Consider the fringe. Fringe is a crucial component of a hand-knotted rug because it holds the rug together. Ideally, fringe is part of a hand-knotted rug’s weave. It’s a defining characteristic of this rug.
  1. Know the difference between oriental rugs and Persian rugs. A Persian rug is an oriental rug and hand-knotted rug from Persia, currently Iran. Hand-knotted rugs from these countries or their neighbors are only called oriental rugs: Egypt, Pakistan, India, China, and Afghanistan. Persia rugs were the best at some point. However, globalization and advanced trading makes both good and bad rugs available in all countries.
  1. Find the right dealer. Choosing a wrong dealer can be very costly in terms of money, energy and time. Therefore, take time to find a reliable dealer. Ideally, choose a dealer that has a return policy and customer service team that is ready to answer all your questions.
  1. A Quality hand-knotted rug is a great investment. With proper care, a nice hand-knotted rug will last for years or decades due to its weaving process and the used material. Nevertheless, you must find and invest in a quality piece.
  1. Watch out for Switch and Old Bait. Some dealers have display rugs that can be viewed and touched. But, when you buy your rug, the dealer gets an already packed and sealed rug for you. Be wary of such dealers. Ask questions before you pay for the rug to ensure that you will get a rug of the same quality and style as the one on display.
  1. Know the ideal price of a hand-knotted rug. Prices of quality hand knotted rugs are higher due to their investment potential. These rugs are also aesthetically pleasing and durable. Additionally, the time required to produce these rugs makes them more costly. Ideally, these rugs combine function and form in a perfect manner and this makes them costly than synthetic rugs.
  1. Decide whether to buy in stock or custom hand-knotted rugs. A custom rug is ideal for you if you need a rug with unique dimensions. Basically, a nice-fitting, styled rug will compliment your living space better. Avoid a small rug just because you can’t find a sufficiently large rug. That’s because a poorly fitting rug will ruin the style and look of your living space. Therefore, outline your area rug carefully using masking tape. Figure out what rug size will suit your living space. Rugman can deliver a custom rug for you if none of our in-stock rug suits your living space.
  1. Choose the right rug style. Before you buy a hand-knotted rug, consider the style that you want to create in your living space. Visualize the rug in your room and decide whether it fits your desired style. For instance, if you have a contemporary style, you may choose a rug with straight, clean lines. If you prefer the eclectic taste, you may choose a patchwork rug.
  1. Consider antique rugs. Antique hand-knotted rugs add intrigue and charm to the living spaces. They bring the inspiration of lost times. Nevertheless, since antique rugs are rare, they sell at a higher price than new rugs.
  1. Know that hand-knotted rugs crease. Rugs made of wool crease but not wrinkle when folded and placed in one place for a long time. But, the creases are easy to remove. Just fold the rug in an opposite direction and your rug will straighten out. Creasing is an indication that the hand-knotted rug is made of pure wool. Synthetic rugs are only rolled because their hand backing is made of plastic that is impossible to fold.
  1. Hand-knotted rugs can produce an odor. Wool has lanolin that has anti-bacterial properties. That implies no bacteria will grow in your rug to cause a foul smell. However, once you bring the rug into your home, there will be the smell of the warehouse where the rug was stored. A rug ordered online and shipped in a plastic bag can also smell like the plastic bag. Nevertheless, the rug will eventually smell clean and fresh after warming up and receiving better care from you. But, if a rug has an order due to a stain or spill, you should have it cleaned professionally.
  1. Know how to clean your rug The exterior of hand-knotted wool rugs is naturally water resistant or hydrophobic while the interior is water absorbing or hydrophilic. That means your rug might produce an odor if your rugs get wet. That’s why your hand knotted rug should be cleaned professionally at least once every year. A professional cleaner should tell you the right method and product to use in cleaning your carpet. Avoid deep cleaning the rug yourself.
  1. Rotate your hand knotted rug.  Make sure that you rotate hand-knotted rugs placed in high traffic or high sun area. After a few months to ensure that they maintain a fresh and bright look.
  1. Hand-knotted rugs shed. Being a natural fiber, wool is likely to shed. However, shedding of a hand-knotted rug decreases after a few weeks and stops eventually. Poor quality wool can cause your rug to shed excessively. Therefore, talk to your dealer about it.
  1. Know the right size of the rug to buy. The worst experience you don’t want to have is buying a rug that is too small or too big for your living space. Therefore, take the measurement of the space where you intend to place the rug carefully. Rugman has quality hand knotted rugs of different dimensions. That means you can find a nice-fitting, hand-knotted rug for your living room, dining room, kid’s room, bedroom, and even runners.
  1. Consider your budget. The size, style and other aspects of a hand-knotted rug determine its cost. Therefore, before you go out to purchase your hand knotted rug, consider your budget. Hand-knotted rugs are generally expensive but you can find a quality rug within your budget when you shop with Rugman.
  1. Know where to buy hand-knotted rugs to get the best deal. Buy a rug based on factors including price, reputation and return policy. Basically, you should buy your rug from a dealer that gives you the best deal without compromising quality. Avoid fake sales and salespersons that want you to close the deal quickly even when they can’t answer all your questions satisfactorily.
  1. Love your hand knotted rug. Finally, buy a rug that you fall in love with the moment you see it. That’s very important because you will live with your rug for a long time and see it almost every day.

Rugman has a vast collection of quality hand knotted rugs for you to choose from. But, until you buy and place a rug in your living space, you can’t know exactly how it will look and feel in your living space. Therefore, make the right move and follow the above rules to buy your hand knotted rugs today.