Carpet Glossary

The most important terms relating to carpets, explained briefly and clearly.

What the asymmetric knot (Senneh knot) does at the warp thread, how it differs from the Turkish knot, and whether it is a quality indicator.

What is an arabesque rug? Origin, meaning of the arabesque ornament, distinctions from medallion and kilim, plus tips on style, colour and size.

Alum mordant explained simply: how the salt anchors plant dyes in rugs, which colour nuances emerge and whether alum is truly non-toxic.

Abrash meaning simply explained: what colour stripes in a hand-knotted rug reveal, how they form, and how to tell genuine from artificial abrash.

Buying a rug bridge made easy: what sets this small rug apart from a runner, which formats fit, and how it stays in place on smooth floors.