Skip to content

Handspun Wool

« Back to Glossary Index

This refers to wool that was processed by hand. Although some people prefer the uniformity and formal appearance that machine-spun wool imparts to carpets, most connoisseurs value the effect produced by hand spun wool. When spun by hand, yarn absorbs more dye where it is loosely spun and less dye where it is spun tightly, thus producing pleasant variegation in the colors of a rug. This variation in color is known in the rug world by the Turkish term abrash. Hand spun wool naturally requires more labor and thus rugs woven with handspun wool are more costly. But, the hand spinning process is less abrasive to the wool; more of the natural oils (lanolin) are retained and less fibers are broken. This produces a wool thread that is more resilient and carpets made with such wool will last long and wear better. The drop spindle is the tool most commonly used for hand spinning in rug weaving countries.

« Back to Glossary Index