Hand Tufted Rugs - Chinese Hand Tufted Rugs - Tufted Rug

Most of the rugs marketed today are made by the hand tufted process. In tufting, a prewoven backing fabric moves through a high-speed machine as a bank of giant needles inserts individual tufts into the material. Yarn from spools on giant creels is air-blown through plastic or copper tubes to the needles. On the face side of the carpet, the yarn is caught by a hook that forms the loop. For cut pile, a small knife beside each hook slits the loop. A layer of latex over the back of the carpet locks the fibers into place. A second woven backing may be added to increase stability and strength. Through electronic control of the yarn feed and the needle action, the height of the pile may be varied, creating textured patterns.