How a Rug Is Made
A handmade rug passes through many hands before it reaches yours. This is the path a rug takes with us in Bhadohi, India, from yarn to finished piece.
Design
Every rug starts as a drawing. For a hand-knotted rug, the design is turned into a graph called a naksha, where each square stands for one knot and one color. For a hand-tufted rug, the design is drawn full size onto the cloth.
Custom sizes and colors are set at this stage.
Yarn and dyeing
The yarn is dyed to match the colors of the design, then dried. Small differences between dye batches give handmade rugs their gentle shifts in tone.
Winding
The dyed yarn is wound into balls and bobbins, ready for the loom.
Weaving
On the loom, the weaver follows the design row by row: tying knots, tufting or weaving, depending on the technique. This is the longest step, and where most of the skill lies.
Washing
Once off the loom, the rug is washed to clean it, settle the fibers and bring out the color. Then it is dried.
Finishing
The pile is trimmed to an even height by hand. The edges are bound and the fringe, if there is one, is finished.
Final check
Every rug is checked for size, color and finish before it is packed and shipped to you.
How long it takes
| Technique | Delivery to your door |
|---|---|
| Hand-Knotted | 5–6 weeks |
| Hand-Tufted | 3–4 weeks |
| Handloom | 3–5 weeks |
| Flatweave | 3–5 weeks |
Includes making the rug and 5–7 days of courier shipping.
Common questions
Where are RUG ROOT rugs made?
In Bhadohi, Uttar Pradesh, India, one of the largest rug-making centers in the world. We work directly with the artisans who make each rug.
Can you make a rug from my own design?
Yes. Send us your design, size and colors and we will prepare it for the loom. Start a custom rug.
Why are there small color differences in my rug?
Yarn is dyed in batches, and each batch takes color slightly differently. These soft shifts, called abrash, are a sign of a handmade rug, not a fault.
Keep reading
- Weaving Techniques — Hand-knotted, hand-tufted, handloom and flatweave. What each one means for you.
- Rug Materials — Wool, jute, wool & jute and viscose. How each one feels, wears and cleans.
- Rug Care — Everyday care, spills, shedding and deep cleaning.