How Rug Reweaving Works

When a hand-knotted rug develops a hole or a badly worn section, replacing it isn't the only option — and often isn't the best one. Reweaving lets a skilled repairer rebuild the damaged area knot by knot, matching it to the original pattern so closely that it becomes difficult to spot where the repair begins and ends.

What Makes Reweaving Possible

Reweaving only works on hand-knotted rugs, since each knot is tied individually and the underlying foundation (the warp and weft threads) is exposed and workable. A hand-tufted rug, by contrast, has a layer of latex adhesive holding the pile in place, which makes traditional reweaving impossible — damage on a tufted rug typically has to be patched or the rug replaced instead.

Watch the Process

How Long Does Reweaving Take?

Reweaving is slow, deliberate work, done by hand rather than machine. A small area might take a few hours; a larger hole or a section requiring closely matched dye can take considerably longer. Timelines depend on the size of the damaged area and how closely the original wool and dye need to be matched.

Is My Rug a Good Candidate?

Most hand-knotted wool and silk rugs are good candidates for reweaving, including antique and heirloom pieces. The best way to know for sure is to bring your rug in for an assessment — we'll look at the construction, the extent of the damage, and whether matching wool and dye are available before quoting a repair.