top of page
IMG_3075.jpeg

What Are White Knots In Rugs 

You may have heard the term white knots or sprouts to describe a common condition in oriental rugs. What are white knots in rugs, and how to deal with them? 

What Causes White Knots 

Rug white knots chinese rug

White knots are a common occurrence in hand-woven Oriental rugs. These are small, white spots that can be seen in the rug's design and texture. White knots are formed from the foundation yarns, the warp, and weft yarns during the weaving of an oriental rug. During the weaving, the ends of the wefts yarns are left when terminated, and the untied ends can work their way to the top of the carpet pile tied knots become visible when the carpet pile or knots of a rug wear down. 

 

The presence of white knots does not necessarily indicate a poorly made rug. White knots are a common occurrence in hand-woven Oriental rugs; some rugs result in more of them due to their construction methods. Chinese rugs, particularly 1930s art Deco Chinese rugs for example.

rug structure
Does Cleaning Cause White Knots 


White knots are an inherent issue not caused by cleaning. However, this is a latent issue, and agitation during cleaning can cause more white knots to work to the carpet's surface and be more noticeable. Additionally,

the cleaning process removes soil so existing white knots look brighter and appear more noticeable after cleaning. If white knots have been touched up or colored with ink or textile paints, some of the colors can wash out in cleaning, exposing white knots that were obscured by touch-ups. 

Do White Knots Hurt the Value Of My Rug

Rug values are affected by many variables origin, rarety, design, age, and condition. When evaluating the value of a rug, other factors such as the quality of materials, craftsmanship, design intricacy, age, condition, and overall aesthetic appeal play more significant roles. These factors are generally considered more important than the presence of white knots alone.

Ultimately, the impact of white knots on the value of your rug will depend on the specific rug, its overall condition, and the preferences of potential buyers or collectors. If you have concerns about the value of your rug or want a professional assessment, it's advisable to consult with a reputable rug appraiser or dealer who can provide a more accurate evaluation based on the specific characteristics of your rug.

Can White Knots Be Fixed   

White knots in rugs can be addressed in a few different ways Here are a few approaches to dealing with white knots:

  1. Clipping: The white knots may sometimes protrude slightly above the rug's pile. In such cases, you can carefully clip the protruding white yarn to the pile's level. This doesn't remove the white knot but makes it less noticeable.

  2. Dyeing or tinting: A professional rug restorer can sometimes apply dyes or tints to the exposed white knots to help them blend in with the surrounding pile. This can be a delicate process since achieving a perfect color match might be challenging.

  3. Re-knotting: In cases where the white knots are too numerous or bothersome, a professional might choose to re-knot those areas. This involves cutting away the affected knots and re-knotting using dyed yarn that matches the surrounding areas. It's a more labor-intensive and costly process, but it provides a more thorough remedy.

  4. Rotation: Regularly rotating the rug can ensure even wear. In some cases, more worn high-traffic areas show white knots. So rotation of the rug improves white knots and the aesthetics of the rug in a room. 

  5. Covering with furniture: A simple solution can be to rearrange the room's furniture to cover areas with prominent white knots, making them less noticeable.

Remember, white knots are not defects but a natural result of the hand-knotting process. Before deciding on any intervention, weigh the aesthetic concern against the rug's value, age, and historical significance. Always consult with a professional rug restorer or specialist before attempting significant interventions.

Rug white knots chinese rug repair
bottom of page