Wool is the most common material used in making rugs, at least in regard to the
pile or the flatwoven facing of the rug. Rug wool comes primarily from
sheep, although goat wool can be used as well. Wool quality can vary
enormously. Some wool is soft and lustrous, with a silky sheen that is
enlivened by proper illumination. Some wools are dull and unreflective.
Lustrous wool is moist or lanolin-rich, far healthier and more durable than
dry wool.
One of the most important choices that weavers make is the quality
of their wool. It affects the cost and value of a rug, as well as its
ability to stand up to use. Some wools, however, are chosen for their
fineness, softness, and textural delicacy. These wools come from the neck
and belly of the sheep, like Angora wool, or, in the case of Indian Pashmina
wool, from the downy layer close to the skin of the animal. Wool may be used for
the foundation of the rug as well as for the pile or facing. Wool
foundations are particularly typical of nomadic and village weavering.
