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Entry 1 - July 15th 2008

Indigo Dyeing Processes
Question emailed from customer.  "Why is there so much blue used in vegetable
dye oriental rugs?  What do they use?"-  Laura F. Lexington, KY
The RugMan's Blog
Natural indigo fermented and caked.
The beginning of a dye vat- notice the
murky yellow color.
Dye vats filled with cotton and wool.
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Entry 2 - July 20th 2008

The Difference in Rug Types.
Question emailed from customer.  "What is the difference between tufted, machine
made, and hand-knotted?"-  M. Rossetti,  Lexington, KY

One of the most common things that we teach our customers is about the
difference between hand-knotted, tufted, and machine-made rugs.  The value
difference is drastic while the price difference is usually somewhat comparable.  
We offer a 100% trade-in policy, so we can only carry hand-knotted pieces. Here is
a quick breakdown of the differences.  To learn more, access the Rugs 101 section
of this site.
Hand-knotted rugs are the finest of the three main types.  A hand-knotted rug is
constructed the following way: 1) a loom is set up with cotton, wool, or silk strings
running north and south (this is called “warp” and will also eventually become your
fringe.) 2) Rows of knots, somewhat similar to what you tie your shoes with are tied
onto the warp threads moving east/west.  There are different types of knots and the
acceptable materials are either wool or silk. The different colors of the individual
knot will eventually create the pattern of the rug. 3) Strings similar to he warp are
run east to west inter-weaving with the warp (this is called weft.) 4) The process
repeats until the pattern is complete.
The hand-knotted rug with often be slightly more in price than the other types.  This
is due to the cost of materials, and the shear amount of time it takes to complete a
rug.  An average quality 9x12 will take at least 6-9 months from design conception
to woven completion.  Higher quality hand-knotted drugs can take years to
complete.
The hand-knotted rug is the better value for your money in comparison to the other
types.  More work and artistic reference went into the work.  Anything that happens
to the rug can be repaired (note: this is not always cheap depending upon the
repair work being done.)  A hand-knotted rug will last on average 70 years, and if
properly maintained will last over 120 years!  And the real kicker, hand-knotted rugs
increase in value with use and age!
You can see why we are able to offer a lifetime 100% Trade-In-Policy on our hand-
knotted pieces.  They last a lifetime, and they actually get better with age.  They look
better, feel better, and increase in value.
Tufted pieces are often referred to as “hand-made” in an attempt to mimic the hand-
knotted rugs.  These pieces are still an amazing value, but are often the same price
or even more than a hand-knotted rug and cannot compete when it comes to value.
A tufted rug is usually made by hand, but is created without tying any knots onto a
foundation.  Instead, a “gun” is used to push wool or acrylic yarn through a canvass
backing.  Latex glue is then applied to hold the tufts in place.  A final cloth backing
is then applied to cover up the backing and to protect your floor.
Because there is no knot being tied, and a tufting gun is used, this method is much
less time consuming than knotting a rug.  To a tufted rug’s credit, it still takes a
high level of skill and craftsmanship to efficiently and accurately portray intricate
designs.
The tufted rugs will not last nearly as long as a hand-knotted piece, averaging 7-10
years, cannot accept major repairs, and will not increase in value.  Many of these
rugs cannot even be professionally cleaned because the glue used to hold the tufts
in place will deteriorate.  There are a few reputable companies that have taken
hand-tufted rugs to new levels of quality.  Nourison, Loloi, Momeni, etc. have re-
invented the tufted rug, increasing the artistic value as well as the lifespan of the
rug.  While we do not carrry these brands, we do recommend their products.
An average 9x12 tufted rug take 3-4 days to complete.  Due to the comparable price
and the lack of lifetime value, Lexington Oriental Rugs does not current carry tufted
rugs.
The third main type of rug is machine-made.  These are the least expensive, are
the fasted to make, and are essentially replaceable.  
There are multiple processes for machine made rugs.  The most common involves
a machine with thousands of needles injecting yarn through a plastic screen.  The
materials are often not wool, but are instead synthetic fibers.  There is usually no
backing on the rug.  
These rugs can take a matter of hours to complete, and are very affordable, but the
value is very low.  They often do not last more than 1-2 years and cannot be
repaired.  Cleaning is determined by the type of rug and materials used.  Again,
due to the comparable price, and the lack of lifetime value, Lexington Oriental Rugs
does not carry machine rugs.
While machine made-rugs often get a bad report, there are a few companies that
make an outstanding machine made product.  Karastan is the most recognized in
the industry, but Nourison among others also makes an excellent machine-made
rug.
The purpose of this information is to educate, and it can be very difficult to maintain
a neutral stance when discussing these types of rugs.  However, we do feel that it
is our duty to our customers and clients to only offer the best value, and therefore
we will for the time being only carry hand-knotted oriental rugs.
The RugMan's Blog
Hand-knotting rugs in India.
Hand-tufted process diagram.
A typical rug making machine.