Rug Braids and Weaves Glossary

My perception of braided and woven area rugs was pretty basic. The rugs I was used to seeing were the ones we all typically see in department and discount stores. I was surprised to learn just how much design and art goes into producing quality braided rugs.

This is a brief glossary of the types of yarn and fabric braids and weaves used to make braided rugs.

Center Braiding - usually refers to a rug pattern where the center of the rug is of a single solid color surrounded by a series of variegated braids.

Chenille - soft yarns are braided and resulting braids are braided together. Chenille rugs are known for a soft feel. The term derives from the French word for caterpillar.

Flat Braid - braiding technique that uses two center cores running parallel to each other with the yarn woven around the cores.

Pliant - a simple process of flat braiding, weaving one strand over another. The plaint braid is typically thinner than a flat braid. The number of strands can be as many as twelve and as few as four strands.

Round - round braids are typically produced by weaving four or more strands of yarn or fabric around a single, solid core. Round braids are similar to tube braids.

Standard - a braid typified by three strands of material though the number of strands can be higher. The outer strands are always brought back over the center strand.

Tube - sometimes called tubular braiding, the yarns are woven around a center core of material.

Underlay - a fabric or other backing that keeps a braided rug from slipping.

Variegated - refers to multiple colors often in a random pattern.