Braided Rugs

How The Braided Rug Evolved

The original braided rug was first made in England, where housewives and needlewomen sewed together any scraps of wool and fabric they could find and turned them into round braided rugs. The tradition was continued and improved upon by American pioneers, who took the tradition of wool and cotton braided rugs and made it their own.

Today, when you buy braided rugs, you’ll find many are made mainly in China and elsewhere in Asia, but there are American made braided rugs in which the tradition has a strong connection with the pilgrims. Women in the middle states of the U.S. continue to weave these stunning, versatile carpets by hand for their homes and families. Many reputable modern businesses have emerged throughout the country, specializing in the production of traditional handmade braided rugs.

Braided Rug Styles

Braided rugs have a distinctive appearance, with vibrant colors and classic designs that are easily recognized. Even so, the subtle variations in the hues and patterns of country braided rugs make each one a unique work of art. These versatile, décor-friendly carpets can be found in solids or stripes, executed in classic blues, reds, grey, black, and white or in bold, contemporary color combinations.

Several different braiding styles can be used in the construction of a braided rug. The most popular is the common "flat" braid, the same style used to plait hair. Braided rugs are also made using cable braids, the rope design used in sail rigging in the late 19th century, and tubular braids, a craftsmanship technique based on the cable braid that contains a durable core. Machine-made braided rugs often use a corded braid, a fabric tube that is used to produce strong, durable discount braided rugs.

Braided Rug Materials

Braided rugs can be made out of virtually any fabric, and were traditionally constructed from whatever random scrap materials could be gathered. Most common in the market are wool braided rugs, closely followed by cotton braided rugs.

Country braided rugs are characterized by a surface design made of braids that are coiled and sewn together. Wool braided rugs offer a denser pile and rugged durability, while chenille braided rugs boast unrivaled softness. Under the shag of braided wool, cotton, or chenille is a flat base made of silk, wool, cotton, or coarser materials like jute. This base is the layer that will come into contact with the floor, preventing sliding or slippage of the braided area rug.

In addition to wool and cotton, some indoor outdoor braided rugs are woven from more resilient fabrics designed to withstand the elements, such as polypropylene. These outdoor braided rugs are ideal for decks, patios, sunrooms, or high-traffic areas.

Shapes and Sizes of Braided Rugs

Braided rugs are available in all sizes, but are usually found in square, round, or oval shapes. Round braided rugs and oval braided rugs are the simplest, made by coiling a long braid around itself and sewing each loop in place with durable cording. Rectangular or square braided rugs require more forethought in planning their design and trimming each piece of braid to the desired length to form a symmetrical square. Some braided rug runners can also be found for hallways or narrow spaces.

Shop Buy Area Rugs .com’s wide assortment of discount braided rugs to find just the right accent for your indoor or outdoor space.