Hand-Knotted vs Hand-Tufted Rugs: Which Should You Buy?

Both are handmade, both can be made in wool or silk, and both can be made to any size. The difference is in how the pile is attached to the rug, and that decides how long it lasts, how long it takes to make, and what it costs.

How a hand-knotted rug is made

A hand-knotted rug is woven on an upright loom. The weaver ties each knot of yarn individually around the vertical foundation threads (the warp), then locks each row in place with horizontal threads (the weft). The pile is part of the rug's structure, not attached to a backing.

Because every knot is tied by hand, a single rug can take several months. More knots per square inch allow finer detail and a denser, longer-lasting rug.

How a hand-tufted rug is made

A hand-tufted rug is made by pushing loops of yarn through a stretched canvas with a hand-held tufting tool, following a design drawn on the canvas. The loops are then sheared to an even pile (or left as loops), and the back is secured with an adhesive and covered with a backing cloth.

Tufting is much faster than knotting, usually a matter of weeks, and is ideal for plush piles, bold shapes and carved, high-low textures.

Durability and lifespan

A well-made hand-knotted wool rug can last for decades and is often passed down as an heirloom; it can also be cleaned and restored many times. A hand-tufted rug, cared for properly, gives many years of use, but its life is ultimately limited by the backing and adhesive.

Price

Hand-tufted rugs cost less because they take far less labour. Hand-knotted rugs cost more, and the price rises with knot density, the fibre (silk costs more than wool) and the size. Think of a hand-knotted rug as a long-term investment and a hand-tufted rug as excellent value for a beautiful, soft rug.

Which should you choose?

Choose hand-knotted for a formal living or dining room, an heirloom piece, or a rug in a busy room you want to keep for a very long time. Choose hand-tufted for a plush bedroom rug, a bold contemporary or sculpted design, a quicker turnaround, or a tighter budget.

Both can be made in custom sizes and colours, so you don't have to compromise on fit or design either way.

Frequently asked questions

How can I tell if a rug is hand-knotted?

Turn it over. On a hand-knotted rug the pattern shows clearly on the back, with small individual knots and no glued backing cloth. A hand-tufted rug usually has a fabric backing covering the reverse.

Is hand-tufted the same as machine-made?

No. A hand-tufted rug is made by an artisan using a hand-held tool, while a machine-woven rug is produced entirely on a power loom.

Which is softer underfoot?

Hand-tufted rugs are often plusher because they usually have a deeper, denser pile. Hand-knotted rugs feel firmer and flatter, especially with a fine, short pile.