About Braided Rugs
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Braided rugs, popular in many homes in New England and across the U.S., are
prized as much for their charm as for their toughness. Well-made braided rugs last much longer than regular rugs. Oval and round designs are the most common types. My mom made her rugs from outgrown wool clothing, including coats, suits, and hand-made dresses, as well as from fabric-shop remnants. She made two round rugs, still in everyday use, and about seven oval rugs in varying sizes, from about 5-ft by 9-ft to about 3-ft by 5-ft. Some of these remain in exceptional condition despite daily wear and tear. | |
 click image for larger about 69k |  click image for larger about 62k |
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Rug braiding as a craft does not have a lot of rules. Individual artistry will
improve any plan. Considering the final location of the rug may help in selecting
colors and deciding on size. You do not need to limit placement of a braided rug to an Early-American room setting. These rugs are artful and welcoming and may be appreciated in any decorative scheme where period replication or formality is not needed. Multi-color rugs can be counted on to complement other colors in your decor. A 3-ft by 5-ft rug will use about 15 yards of wool and the finished product will likely weigh about 10 pounds. A 6-ft by 9-ft rug will need about 54 yards and weigh in at about 40 or so pounds. | |
 click image for larger about 60k |  click image for larger about 81k |
| Braided rugs are reversible, another factor in their longevity. If you need to store a rug, you should roll it, not fold it. Vacuuming a rug is okay as is sending the rug out for dry-cleaning. You may wish to use a rubberized underlay when placing the rug on a wood or other polished floor (to avoid slipping). | |
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Page last modified June 9, 2005