How Are Braided Rugs Made?

Traditionally, braided rugs consist of one long continuous braid of cotton rags of different colors, textures and patterns, most often they are made with dark colors so that dirt will not show, and most often in a given range of colors to coordinate with anyone's décor. The craftspeople that make these braided rugs, begin by braiding a length that is 1/3 the total length of the desired finished product, then they turn it back on itself making an elongated spiral, so that the rows are laced together with strong thread. As the braid spirals outward, the oval shape is created. As a variant, a round rug is created when the braid is spiraled right from the center rather than from the elongated initial braid.

Most of the braided rugs available are still in the same traditional shapes. There have been noteworthy innovations in fabric and design, though, within the oval rug world. The newer fabrics are now more soil-resistant and come in lighter colors or even monochrome. Alternate fabrics such as wool and chenille give these rugs a whole new and different look, a different feel and a better price range. There are large numbers of braided rugs with designs on them, mostly in "country" themes and mostly stamped onto a traditional rug.

Square and rectangular braided area rugs are the newest addition to the collection and are a worthy addition to the braided rug industry. The best way to make a square braided rug is to lace rows of straight braids together. The result is serviceable but not particularly compelling. Some rectangular rugs start with the initial long braid and a few rows of oval work, but within a few rounds the corners start to square off as they are turned. The resulting rugs are interesting to look at and a nice change of pace from the routine oval shape.

Other square rugs use smaller squares of straight-braided rug and combine them into interesting geometrics by binding them together with braids or sturdy fabric tapes into a collage type of look. Then there are others which have a border or interior of unbraided fabric which has been quilted, pleated or stuffed to make it the same thickness as the braided sections. This gives the rug a much more contemporary look.

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