Moroccan Rugs: The Journey of a Thousand Threads
Moroccan rugs have risen in popularity in recent decades and are now globally coveted by interior lovers, architects, and collectors alike. Regardless of the modern interest, the handcrafted creations represent a living tradition that endured for centuries surprisingly using the same creative process and weaving techniques.
There is no doubt that the splendid handmade rugs are filled with symbolic meanings and cultural history. But how are they actually made?
Let's explore the transformative journey of a standard Moroccan rug from basic sheep wool to a thousand thread breath-taking interior piece.
Wool Collection:
Since wool and most likely sheep wool is the most commonly used material, the natural first step in the rug-making process will be wool collection.
The local shepherds are responsible for shearing the sheep when necessary. To create an average-sized woolen carpet, 50 to 100 sheep are supposed to be sheared to provide the necessary amount of wool.
Depending on the quality, placement, and thickness of the wool, the valuable resource is then sorted and separated to serve different needs and purposes.
Wool Preparation:
Once the wool is purposefully separated, the local women proceed by gently cleaning it in the local running streams usually with the famous Moroccan Black soap.
When the wool is prepped and cleaned, the spooling phase begins. The local tribal women start by hand spinning the material into the desired shapes using simple and efficient tools such as wooden dowels and spools.
Most of the created threads are left in their neutral creamy color, however, at this stage, if need be, the natural dyeing technique of the remaining threads is done using either henna, saffron, other local spices, or fruit and vegetable dyes depending on the desired outcome.
Weaving Process:
When the skilled weavers finally decide on the design, pattern dimensions and style of their future craft, the weaving process can then commence.
The magic happens at the weaving station where the set-up loom allows the handling of the former threads, they could be either looped, knottded, piled or reverse-piled depending on the thickness and the technique of choice distinguising the local Berber tribe in question.
Uniqueness and authenticity are often mentioned when describing the stunning Moroccan rugs, rightfully so, because of the handmade nature of the craft, carpets can't be perfectly identical even if they have similar designs and patterns.
Because of the meticulousness of the threading and the weaving process, a single Moroccan carpet can take several weeks or even months before completion depending on its size and the complexity of its pattern.
Now that you are familiar with the fascinating Moroccan rug-making process, go for a browse to discover our amazing collection of Moroccan rugs here and have fun imagining how your favorite piece was made.
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