When it comes to rugs, there are so many types and varieties to choose from. But variety doesn’t just point towards the origin of the rug. Even if you choose one type of rugs like Persian rugs, there are many types based on the weaving of the rugs and how they are made. So, here are all of the differences between hand-knotted and hand-woven rugs.
Hand-Knotted Vs. Hand-Woven Rugs
The Making
First things first, you need to understand how hand-knotted and hand-woven rugs are made. The main difference between the two rugs is how they’re made and the way they’re made also sets each rug apart in quality, durability, and other factors that can make or break your decision.
Hand-Knotted Rugs
Hand-knotted rugs are made by knotting or tying the individual strands of the rug on a base or rug canvas. Knotting is done completely by hand and it is very intricate, so it naturally takes a long time for a hand-knotted rug to get completed as compared to woven rugs.
Hand-Woven Rugs
These rugs are made by aligning individual vertical strands of the material onto a frame. This is known as warping and the vertical threads or strands are known as warps. Warps can be of the same material that the rug is being made from or it can be a standard material like cotton, which is commonly used in making hand-woven rugs.
Once the warps are set up, the strands are then horizontally woven on the frame by hand or by using a machine. This is why these rugs are known as hand-woven rugs because they are weaved. This is the process of making hand-woven rugs.
Materials Used
Next up is the material selection. Are both rugs made using the same materials or do they vary in this department too?
Hand-Knotted Rugs
Hand-knotted rugs are made from fine-quality materials. Wool, silk, and cotton are the most common materials used in the making of these durable articles. Since the strands are knotted and they have tension between the strands, it is important to choose materials that won’t break from the middle and lead to all of the hard work done by the craftsman down the drain.
This is why strong yet elastic materials are used in hand-knotted rugs because they give the best results when it comes to looks and durability.
Hand-Woven Rugs
Well, as far as hand-woven rugs are concerned, they can be made using any material. From fluffy wool to luxurious silk and even soft cotton. The base of the rug, or the warp, is usually cotton, but the weaving is done with other materials. Apart from the the usual suspects, a lot of synthetic and plant-deprived materials are also used. Jute, nylon, hemp, and linen rugs are also quite popular, especially with the whole material versatility notion going around.
Appearance Of The Rug
Rugs are rugs, right? If it weren’t for the design, all rugs would look the same. This is something that a lot of people think. But it is far from the truth. When you closely look at rugs and how they’re made, it’s very different. The way they’re woven, knotted, or made is unique.
Hand-Knotted Rugs
The detail, every single knot, and the way it has been tied is visible. You can see the craftsmanship pouring out of every knot of the rug. Hand-knotted rugs are very detailed in pattern and every single knot takes time and hand techniques of the worker makes them what they are.
The beauty of these rugs is that they will be different in every single rug, even if they’re made by the same person. That’s just what human touch is.
Hand-Woven Rugs
Hand-woven rugs are beautiful and all, but they’re not intricate when it comes to the design. They are mostly just horizontal and vertical lines weaved together. Even though the appearance is beautiful and unique regardless, these rugs, sometimes, do lack that detail that a lot of people love in rugs.
Price
Next up is another thing that sets hand-knotted and hand-woven rugs apart and that is the price.
Hand-Knotted Rugs
Since hand-knotted rugs take a long time to get complete and every single strand is fastened by hand, it is only fitting that these rugs are far more expensive than any other handmade rug. If the knot density is higher, then the rug will be higher up in the price spectrum.
Hand-Woven Rugs
Even though hand-woven rugs are also handmade, they are relatively easier and faster to make than hand-knotted rugs, which is why they are a much more affordable option when it comes to good quality, handmade rugs. Let’s be real – no one can afford super expensive rugs all of the time even if they’re amazing to look at.
Versatility
How do these rugs compare when it comes to use? Which one is better?
Hand-Knotted Rugs
Hand-knotted rugs are not reversible rugs. The bottom side of the rug has a messy array of knots and even though it sounds cool, it’s not something you want to show to people. However, hand-knotted rugs are stellar when it comes to durability.
There is nothing that these rugs can’t take and this makes them one of the best, long-lasting rugs that you can get for yourself. These rugs won’t unravel, they look amazing and they will make any room look beautiful, no matter what the trends are.
Hand-Woven Rugs
Well, when it comes to hand-woven rugs, one of the greatest things about them is that they are reversible rugs. Since they are flat when they are weaved, both sides of the rug are the same, even the color and the pattern, so you can flip the rug and nothing will be changed. Since these rugs have a thin to non-existent pile, flipping or reversing these rugs is easier.
Variation In Design
You want to know about the variety in the design. When it comes to rugs, you want to choose something eye-catching and bold, but with a flair of classic beauty.
Hand-Knotted Rugs
Well, when it comes to hand-knotted rugs, the more complex the design is, the longer it will take to make it, and the more expensive it will be. That’s not to say variety is impossible in hand-knotted rugs, you just have to pay the price for it and wait for the beauty to be individually knotted to completion.
With that being said, the design is crisp, the detail is insane and you will surely fall in love with this thing of beauty once you see it.
Hand-Woven Rugs
In hand-woven rugs, the design variety is just as much if not more than hand-knotted rugs, which is amazing. The designs are blended with weaving techniques, colorful threads and strands, and time and the results are amazing.
Hand-woven rugs are not as intricate as hand-knotted rugs, but that doesn’t mean that they’re not good at all. They’re still highly popular and people love them just the same as other rugs.
Conclusion
There are many types of handmade rugs VA and now you know what sets hand-woven and hand-knotted rugs apart, which makes choosing easy for you.
