If you are in residential need like me then learning how to make a hand woven rug is like a default system for your house decoration. Wondering why I’m highlighting it like this? Because did you see the news?
“The hand-woven rug industry is preparing to take their business at the peek of $106.01 billion by 2030!!😱” I’d be a fool not to try this myself!!
Besides the free-spirited designs, complexity, and texture I want… I find it hard to have an all-in-one carpet while buying. So, I did what I should and started weaving my rug.
To make a hand-woven rug I got a loom frame, calculated the density I wanted, and wove the rug with patience. That much is obvi, I know. But what was remarkable was how many times I made the same mistakes. You guys make sure not to repeat these mistakes of mine alright?
Let’s not dilly-dally anymore and begin the expedition of making a hand-woven rug all by yourself.
About what you’ll have here-
Table of Contents
How To Make A Hand Woven Rug
To make a hand-woven rug first you need my steps guide, and then you need to follow these steps –
- Gather Materials
- Prepare the Loom
- Calculate Your Desired Density
- Choose Your Knotting Techniques
- Begin Weaving The Rug
- Finishing Touches
As you’ve already guessed I’ve explained these steps well below so don’t panic alright😃
Here’s a little bit of motivating excitement for you. Do you know how much a hand-woven rug is worth? Well, you’d definitely be surprised to know that.
Look at the demonstration below and you’ll know it.
| SL | Hand-Woven Carpet | Size | Commercial Value |
| 1. | Persian Tabriz Silk Rug | 7’11″ x 9’10″ | $3,8921 |
| 2. | Persian Kashan Wool & Silk Rug | 7’11″ x 9’10″ | $2,7251 |
| 3. | Antique Persian Isfahan Wool & Silk Rug | 6’0″ x 9’0″ | $13,5341 |
So… brain blown already?🤣 Don’t be. Next time if you are worried about whether hand-woven rugs are worth your effort or not, just look at this demonstration and I bet you’ll feel proud to be able to make one of these.😏
Now that you are motivated enough let’s begin the real deal…
Material Needed to Make a Woven Rug
Having all the tools needed close to my hand keeps me calm and work calmly on my project. I mean it surely is helpful and saves lots of random searching time for everything, doesn’t it?
That’s why for you my dear I’ve listed all you need to have before you can start to make your woven rug.
| Item No. | Material | Purpose |
| 1. | Loom | A sturdy frame to hold your warp threads. |
| 2. | Warp Threads | These vertical threads form the foundation of your rug. |
| 3. | Weft Threads/Yarn | The horizontal threads that weave through the warp threads. |
| 4. | Pair of Scissors | Essential for cutting and trimming. |
| 5. | Dye | Vegetable dye for vibrant colors. |
| 6. | Fabric Strips | Optional for additional texture and design. |
| 7. | Weaving Needle | To help thread the yarn through the warp threads. |
Making a Hand-Woven Rug
Have you ever heard about the Bound Weave Pattern and Batik Rug Weaving?
I read in some articles on HandWovenMagazine that Scandinavian-style rug is woven in these patterns. The name Batik Rug Weaving is used since artisans use batik fabric strips for the weft part…. Amusing right?😜
From the 5th century BC till this day the 2,500-year-old practice of hand-weaving rugs remains as the undying cultural living legend of Iran. For my carpet weaving method, I used the Persian style of course. Yeah, you’ve guessed it exactly!! Mine has a denser pile.
What didn’t you know? Well look at the image I attached even the LAWRENCE OF LA BREA too agrees with me when I say traditional Persian rugs surely are denser since they are crafted with more than 160 knots per square inch.
Okay, okay enough with the chit-chat and reminiscing about how great a hand-woven rug is, sheesh! Now let’s start with my step-by-step guide of how to actually be done with this thing.
Gather Materials
Since I already mentioned what tools you might need firsthand, I’m hoping you are done with this step. I mean you have those tools gathered and ready right? If not then chop chop, start by gathering all the materials listed above.
Prepare the Loom
Now that you have all the things needed to begin, it’s time to set up your loom on a flat surface. Here, you need to secure the warp threads tightly across the loom, while making sure that they are evenly spaced at the same time.🪡
Calculate Your Desired Density
Oh, yeah. Before you start the knotting technique section I need you to know how to count the knot density. After all, density is the key to a good hand-woven rug. So, what you need to do is-
Let’s imagine your rug has 32 points on the weft and 47 on the warp. So, the calculation would be like: (32(weft count) x 47 (warp count) x 2) x 100 = 300,800
So this rug of yours has 300,800 points per sq/m. Easy right? Yeah, I know! Don’t hesitate to thank me later🥹
Choose Your Knotting Techniques
In this step comes the variety of knotting techniques and you, my dear can choose from the types of knots The Persian knot (asymmetrical knots) and the Turkish knot (symmetrical knots), are just the pawns of the big palate to add texture and patterns to your rug. You’ll find variety in weaving patterns too.
Such as the Bound weave pattern, Batik rug weaving techniques, and pattern, or Warp Rep Rugs. Btw, did you know that “The term “Rep” of Warp Rep Rugs came from the Swedish term “Rip”.😲”
If you are not much of organized person then you’d consider the Batik rug weaving pattern I’m guessing. Why am I saying so? Because I read in an article that, the advantage of using this technique is that, the dye is evenly distributed on both sides of the cloth.
As a result, there’s no “wrong” side. And this means, you don’t have to worry about placing a batik rag weft carefully in the shed.🤭
Begin Weaving The Rug
Done with all the decision-making?
Now then, it’s time to finally begin weaving. Load your shuttle (for hand-weaving) with weft thread (yarn). Let’s start weaving the weft threads through the adjacent warp threads, using the basic over-under technique.
Interlace the weft threads with the warp threads to create patterns and texture. Follow your design carefully while weaving row by row. This process needs lots of patience to be done with. I know! But precision is the most here.
I found a simple demonstration on a blog of Kaliko which may also help you understand the steps. You can see those steps in my attached image below.
Finishing Touches
The deed is done and the rug is made. The only thing that remains now is a itsy-bitsy bit of finishing touches here and there. So, once your rug reaches the desired length, secure the ends by tying them off and trimming any excess yarn.
Oh, and you may also need to wash and block your rug to set the fibers. It also helps make sure of the smooth finishing.
If you think a visual explanation would help you understand better then make sure you are watching this video as well –
Some Mistakes to Avoid When Making a Hand-Woven Rug
Honestly speaking I made lots of mistakes throughout the entire process. At one point I was frustrated. So, read some articles online that some mistakes are common in all of our stories.
And that’s why I’ve listed them out for you. Make sure that you read them and don’t end up frustrated halfway like me🥴
- Uneven Tension: Make sure to maintain a consistent amount of tension in your warp threads. This is to avoid leading to a warped or misshapen rug.
- Skipping Knots: Make sure that each knot is tight and secure. Since missing knots might as well create gaps.
- Using the Wrong Material: Before you start weaving your rug think and search for natural and durable materials wisely. After all the type of yarn or fabric used can affect your rug’s durability and appearance too.
How Do I Care For and Maintain a Hand-Woven Rug?
My hand-woven rug needed lots of special treatment, I mean care to maintain Its beauty and longevity so far. And don’t worry about how long the plush woven carpet will last. I read somewhere that regularly vacuuming your rug using a gentle setting to remove dust and debris really helps.🤗
Also, you’d definitely wanna avoid placing your hand-woven rug in direct sunlight to prevent fading. For deeper cleaning purposes, you need to use a mixer of mild detergent and cool water. Oh, and dry the rug flat to maintain its shape too.
All my efforts were lastly paid off quite beautifully. Just as I expected, now tell me yours. How was yours?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a hand-woven rug called?
A hand-woven rug is usually called a “hand-knotted rug,”. Because of the individual knots of course. I found these rugs are called “flatweave” too sometimes. The most interesting fact I read about them is, that the front and back are the same, making them easily reversible.
What types of yarn or fabric are best for rug weaving?
Wool and cotton are said to be the best for rug weaving. You’ll find them to be the most popular choice because of their impressive durability and weaving factors too. But if you wanna have an additional luxurious feel to your flooring, consider using silk or a blend of natural fibers.
How long does it take to make a hand-woven rug?
It takes around 100 to 500 hours in general to make a hand-woven rug. But of course, that depends on the rug’s size and its design complexity as well. However, since it’s hand-woven I think, the time range can surely change.
Can you vacuum hand-woven rugs?
Yes, you can vacuum hand-woven rugs for sure. But do make sure that you are using a vacuum with a gentle setting since you surely wanna avoid damaging the fibers. And if you wanna make your carpet wear well, then surely you’d want to vacuum it at least 1/2 times a week.
Are handmade rugs worth it?
Indeed dear! Handmade rugs are worth your every effort. In fact, these are known mostly for their quality, unique designs, and longevity. Each craftsman or should I say each person is different, and so are their handmade creations. This sure is to be your valuable investment.
Finally
Learning how to make a hand woven rug was a surprisingly informative journey about the crafting world for me. And I bet, that with patience and practice, you can create a beautiful piece that reflects your inner creativity and skills too.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced weaver, this guide of mine is gonna give you the breakthrough you need. HAPPY WEAVING TO YA!!🥳
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