Abstract rug of recycled sari silk, hand-knotted by skilled artisans in Agra, India

Dimensions: 8’1″ x 10’3″ (246 cm x 312 cm)

Natural inconsistencies are inherent in these unique, handcrafted rugs

Abstract rug of recycled sari silk, hand-knotted by skilled artisans in Agra, India

Natural inconsistencies are inherent in these unique, handcrafted rugs

The Collection

Handwoven with silk thread from thousands of recycled saris, those staples of Indian culture which date back to 2800 BCE. In this collection, silk saris are taken apart thread by thread. Artisans sort the threads by color, and spin them into a yarn of hundreds of shades, giving it an incredible depth and range of hue.

Motifs

• Directional design or color gradients with purposeful asymmetry and movement
• Diagonal lines weave and intersect, forming a grid-like pattern
• An absolute classic, diamond-based designs create a beautiful and dynamic field of geometric shapes
• This piece features a handsome, hand-twisted fringe

The Maker

Our partner, based in Agra, is a second-generation rug-maker whose father started the business in the late 1970s when the area experienced a weaving renaissance. Known for their high quality and the uniqueness of their product, they make it a point not to research the online presence of their customers or other rug-makers, to avoid tunnel vision, and to expand the possibilities of innovation.

Material Details

Sari silk yarn is made by removing individual threads from recycled silk saris, then sorting these threads by color group – so a pile of red yarn might have hundreds of different shades of red, which, when spun together, gives a beautiful depth of tone which cant be recreated by dyeing. In this piece, recycled sari silk is combined with wool for softness and texture, and added to a cotton foundation for durability.

• We recommend that you regularly vacuum your rug to remove dirt and grime. Depending on how heavily your rug is used, just once or twice a month is adequate. Too much vacuuming can wear down the knots and fibers more quickly. If you have a suction attachment on your vacuum cleaner, use that instead of a rotary vacuum.
• Every few months, youll also want to flip your rug over and vacuum the back to get the grit out of the foundation of the rug. It also helps to rotate your rug once a year to ensure even wear over time.
• Every 3-5 years, we recommend getting your rug professionally hand-washed. Please do not take it to get steam or dry cleanedthis will almost certainly damage the rug! Hand-washing requires the use of a pH-balanced shampoo, worked into the rug by hand with a soft-bristled brush, before being rinsed thoroughly. This process should be repeated a few times.
• In case of spills:
  • If the spill is organic and non-oily (e.g., wine), use a paper towel or cloth to blot the liquid. Add some clean water sparingly to the spot to dilute the stain (or wet a paper towel or cloth) and blot. Repeat this process until the stain is removed.
  • If the stain is persistent, resist the urge to scrub. Scrubbing can damage the wool fibers and more easily allow the stain to penetrate. You may try using a mild detergent, such as very diluted dishwashing soap, following the same blot-and-rinse procedure.
  • If the spill is a denser, more oily liquid, try first to scoop what you can from the surface using a spoon or perhaps some heavier paper, and then do the blot-and-rinse. If the spill is significant, non-organic and/or composed of chemical substances, or the above methods dont work, we suggest getting the rug professionally hand-washed as soon as possible.
  • For rugs with deeply saturated color palettes, be sure to spot-clean them in an area that can be hosed down immediately after, as some color bleeding may occur.