Rug Glossary: An Easy To Understand List »

Understanding rug terminology helps you make informed decisions when investing in handmade, silk, wool  or wool-silk blended carpets. This glossary simplifies key terms—from materials to techniques and certifications—so you can confidently navigate your rug-buying journey.

For more detail, explore our guides on Carpet & Rug Knots, Carpet & Rug Making, Cleaning & Repair, and Colour and Symbol meanings.

Materials (Fibers & Fabric):

• Bamboo Silk: A shiny, soft silk-like fiber made from bamboo pulp, used as a sustainable silk alternative.
• Cotton: A soft natural fiber used in rug backings and flatweaves for breathability and easy care.
• Jute: A coarse, eco-friendly plant fiber used in textured flatweave rugs.
• Merino Wool: A premium fine wool known for its softness and warmth in luxury rugs.
• Mulberry Silk: The finest natural silk made from silkworms fed only mulberry leaves, known for high sheen.
• Silk: A natural protein fiber that gives rugs a luxurious sheen and soft texture.
• Sisal: A durable plant-based fiber often used in rustic and outdoor rugs.
• Viscose (Art Silk): A semi-synthetic fiber mimicking silk but less durable and more prone to wear.
• Wool: A natural sheep fiber that is durable, resilient, and naturally stain-resistant.
• Wool-Silk Blend: A combination of wool’s strength and silk’s shine used in high-end rugs.

Techniques (Weaving & Construction):

• Chain-Stitch Rug (Crewel): A flat rug embroidered using a hooked needle to create raised wool or silk patterns.
• Flatweave (Kilim/Dhurrie): A rug woven without pile, often reversible and lightweight.
• Hand-Hooked: A rug made by looping yarn through canvas with a hook tool to create textured designs.
• Hand-Knotted: A rug crafted by tying individual knots onto warps, known for detail and durability.
• Hand-Tufted: A rug made by punching yarn into canvas and secured with glue, faster than knotting.
• Machine-Made (Power-Loomed): A factory-made rug woven by automated looms for speed and consistency.
• Braided Rug: A rug made by coiling and stitching braids of fabric into spirals or ovals.
• Knot Types (Persian vs. Turkish): Persian knots are asymmetrical for detail, Turkish knots are symmetrical for strength.

Quality Indicators & Construction:

• Abrash: Natural color variation in handmade rugs caused by dye differences.
• Fringe: The tassels at rug ends, which are actually part of the warp threads.
• KPSI (Knots Per Square Inch): A measure of knot density indicating how fine or detailed the rug is.
• Pile: The surface layer of the rug made of upright fibers for softness and texture.
• Pile Height: The thickness of the rug’s pile, affecting feel and cleaning ease.
• Warp: The vertical foundation threads stretched on the loom holding the rug together.
• Weft: The horizontal threads woven between knots or warps to lock structure in place.

Certifications & Standards:

• Fair Trade Certified: Ensures rugs are made under ethical labor conditions with fair wages.
• GoodWeave Certified (RugMark): Guarantees the rug was made without child or forced labor.
• Label STEP: Verifies rugs are made under fair-trade practices with artisan welfare in mind.
• OEKO-TEX® Standard 100: Confirms the rug is tested to be free of harmful substances.
• Silk Mark: Indian certification verifying that the silk used is 100% pure natural silk.
• Woolmark: A global certification that the rug uses 100% pure new wool of high quality.

Sustainability & Eco-Friendly Terms :

• Azo-Free Dyes: Synthetic dyes made without harmful carcinogenic compounds.
• Chrome Dyes: Modern dyes offering colorfastness and consistency in wool rugs.
• Eco-Friendly Dyes: Dyes processed with fewer chemicals and lower environmental impact.
• Natural Dyes (Vegetable Dyes): Plant-based dyes producing rich, earthy tones in traditional rugs.
• Low-VOC / Non-Toxic Rug: A rug made with materials that emit minimal harmful gases.
• Recycled/Upcycled Materials: Rugs made from repurposed textiles like sari silk or old carpets.

Kashmir-Specific Terms:

• Gabba: A thick embroidered Kashmiri rug made from repurposed wool blankets.
• Namda: A felted wool rug from Kashmir, made by compressing and rolling wool by hand.
• Kashmiri Carpet (Kashmir Silk Carpet): A hand-knotted rug from Kashmir known for fine silk and high knot counts.
• Sozni / Needlework Rugs: Kashmiri rugs with decorative embroidery added by hand for visual richness.