Jute Material ¹

A bast fiber from the stem of the sisal plant Corchorus capsularis and Corchorus olitorius. Jute has been used in the foundation and sometimes in the pile (mixed with wool) of rugs from India. Jute was not used in pile rugs before the early nineteenth century. A few very old Chinese rugs have foundations of jute.

It is used in some power loomed rugs as filler. Jute is more susceptible than other vegetal fibers to weakening through alkalis or bleaches. Jute is used in the manufacture of burlap.