Merino, Mohair and Alpaca: Hand Knotted Statement Rugs
Merino Stria, Mohair Sillage and Alpaca Bloom are Rugberry's hand knotted rugs, tied one knot at a time and made entirely to your measure. Each is priced at AED 200 per sq ft and chosen for its fibre, so the rug leads a room through depth and feel rather than loud pattern.
In short
- Merino Stria is hand knotted in merino wool, fine and springy, striated along its length, 15 to 16 mm thick.
- Mohair Sillage is hand knotted in mohair, close and lustrous, 20 mm thick and firmer underfoot than woven mohair.
- Alpaca Bloom is hand knotted in alpaca, weightless and warm, 16 to 18 mm thick and noticeably softer than wool.
- All three are made to your measure at AED 200 per sq ft, which is AED 16,000 for 8x10 ft (240x300 cm) and AED 21,600 for 9x12 ft (270x360 cm).
What makes a hand knotted rug a statement piece?
A hand knotted rug is a statement because it is built knot by knot on a vertical loom, which gives a dense, deep pile that no faster method quite matches. The drawing can be bold or the surface can be plain, but the making always shows.
Hand knotted rugs are usually made for a particular room rather than bought off a shelf. Rugberry's three are made entirely to your measure, in a choice of colours, so a long majlis or a square living room can be fitted exactly.
| Rug | Fibre | Feel | Thickness | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merino Stria | Merino wool | Fine and springy, striated | 15 to 16 mm | AED 200 per sq ft |
| Mohair Sillage | Mohair | Close and lustrous | 20 mm | AED 200 per sq ft |
| Alpaca Bloom | Alpaca | Weightless and warm | 16 to 18 mm | AED 200 per sq ft |
What is Merino Stria?
Merino Stria is hand knotted in merino wool, fine and springy, with a striation that runs along the length of the rug. The fibre is dense without feeling heavy, and the stria gives a plain colour quiet movement as you walk past.
It comes in colourways from beige and sand to latte, mochaccino, chocolate, slate and charcoal. In a 9x12 ft size it is AED 21,600, the right scale for a full living room or majlis on pale marble or porcelain. See Merino Stria.
What is Mohair Sillage?
Mohair Sillage is hand knotted in mohair, close and lustrous, and at 20 mm it is the deepest of the three. Mohair holds light along each strand, so the rug glows softly under evening lamps.
It is listed in chocolate and slate, two deep tones that suit a study, a dressing room or a living room in stone and dark wood. Against white marble it reads as a rich, solid block, so give it plain walls. See Mohair Sillage.
What is Alpaca Bloom?
Alpaca Bloom is hand knotted in alpaca, weightless and warm against the foot, and noticeably softer than wool. It is the quietest of the three in look and the most tender in feel.
In ivory or latte it suits a main bedroom or a calm sitting room with oak and linen. In an air conditioned bedroom it stays warm and yielding underfoot, which makes it the one to choose where bare feet come first. See Alpaca Bloom.
A hand knotted rug leads a room through its fibre, not through noise.
How do you choose between them?
Choose by the room and how it is used: Merino Stria for a large living room or majlis in daily use, Mohair Sillage for a deep toned room that wants lustre, and Alpaca Bloom for a bedroom.
- For a family majlis in daily use, choose Merino Stria over Alpaca Bloom, because springy merino recovers well under traffic and a mid tone hides marks.
- For a bedroom, Alpaca Bloom suits the softer mood, and an 8x10 ft size fits a king bed laid crosswise.
- For a collector building over years, start with the room you use most and let later pieces answer the first.
Whichever you choose, keep upholstery and curtains plain. Our guide to statement rugs covers how to balance a bold rug in a room.
How should a hand knotted rug be looked after?
Look after a hand knotted rug with regular vacuuming, twice yearly rotation and professional cleaning only.
- Vacuum with suction only, since fine sand and dust wear fibre over time.
- Blot spills with cool water and a white cloth. Never use hot water on wool, mohair or alpaca.
- Turn the rug every six months so strong sun from large windows fades it evenly.
The full range is in hand knotted rugs.
Frequently asked questions
Why do hand knotted rugs cost more?
A hand knotted rug is tied one knot at a time on a vertical loom, which takes far more hand time than tufting or weaving. Merino Stria, Mohair Sillage and Alpaca Bloom are priced at AED 200 per sq ft for that reason.
Can these rugs be made in any size?
Yes. All three are made entirely to your measure, which helps when a majlis is narrower or longer than a stock 8x10 or 9x12 ft rug allows.
Is a hand knotted rug suitable for a home with children?
Yes, especially Merino Stria in a mid or deep tone. Dense hand knotted merino is durable, and a striated surface disguises the small marks of family life.
One rug, knotted by hand, made to hold a room. Material first.
