What Is the Process Involved in Making Berber Rugs

Berber rugs are hand-woven rugs from Morocco. They are traditionally made from wool but can also be made from other materials like cotton or synthetic fibers. Berber rugs have a distinctive style, with a thick pile and large, looped patterns. And this distinctive style is achieved thanks to its unique process.

 

 

Step 1: Shearing the Sheep

Berber rugs are handmade by the Berber people of North Africa. The process of making a Berber rug is a long and labor-intensive one and begins with the shearing of the sheep.

Shearing the sheep is the first step in making a Berber rug. This is done by hand, using a special shearing knife. The sheep are first restrained, then the knife is used to remove the wool from their body in one long strip. The wool is then sorted and cleaned.

Step 2: Carding

Berber rugs are traditionally made by hand, using a process that involves carding the wool. Carding is the process of aligning the wool fibers so the weavers can spin them into yarn.

To card the wool, the fibers are first combed in one direction, and then the wool is brushed in the opposite direction. This helps to loosen the fibers and align them in the same direction. Once the fibers are aligned, the weavers can then spin them into yarn.

Carding is an essential step in making a Berber rug, as it helps to ensure that the rug is strong and durable. The process of carding also helps to give the rug its unique texture.

Step 3: Spinning into Yarn

To spin the wool into yarn, Berber women use a drop spindle. This simple tool consists of a shaft with a weight at the bottom. The wool is attached to the shaft, and then the shaft is twirled between the woman's hands. As the shaft is twirled, the wool is wrapped around it, creating the yarn.

Step 4: Weaving the Berber Rug

The process of making a Berber rug is a fascinating one. The weavers use a technique called "continuous knotting" to create the intricate patterns characteristic of these rugs. This method of knotting allows the weaver to create a rug that is incredibly durable and will last for many years.

The process begins with the weaver tying knots in the woolen yarn. The yarn is then dyed using natural dyes, which give the rug its characteristic colors. Once the yarn is dyed, the weaver begins to weave it into the rug using a loom. The loom is a wooden frame that the weaver uses to create the rug's design.

The weaver ties the yarn around the loom's warp threads, the vertical threads that run through the loom. The weaver then weaves the weft threads, which are the horizontal threads, over and under the warp threads. The weaver can create various patterns by changing the direction of the weft threads.

Once the rug is complete, the weaver cuts the rug from the loom and ties the ends of the rug together. The rug is then ready to be used.

Final Thoughts

Berber rugs are beautiful and unique works of art. The process of making them is just as interesting as the rugs themselves.

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