Native American Rugs and Blankets-Indian Rugs-Navajo Blankets

One of the oldest and most sought after of the Native American crafts is that of Native American Rugs and Native American blankets, sometimes referred to as Indian trade blankets. Probably the most well know is that of the Navajo rug makers and Navajo blanket makers.

Navajo weavings are extremely intricate and the design is never drawn in advance.

Navajo rugs and Navajo blankets are still done today on a vertical loom, by hand. The traditional Navajo rug makers still control the process from beginning to end. The Navajo rug maker or Navajo blanket maker will shear and then clean and card the wool, after which they will dye the wool. In many cases the dye will be hand made from local plants and vegetables. They then spin the fleece into yarn for their weaving. Because of the technique which is used by the Navajo rug makers and Navajo blanket makers, the yarn can be spun into smaller diameters than can be purchased.

Shop for Native American Rugs and Blankets

The colors and designs are in the mind and heart of the individual Navajo rug maker as they work. The thought process necessary to maintain the accurate and yet complex designs is very intricate. Many traditional Navajo rug makers and Navajo blanket makers will design a break in the pattern to allow a path for their thoughts to leave the weaving. The process of using the vertical loom causes some remains across diagonal lines known as lazy lines. A good way to determine whether a weaving was hand made by a Navajo rug maker or Navajo blanket maker versus machine made is to look for these lines.

This process is extremely time consuming and it will take 350 hours for a Navajo rug maker to make a 3 X 5’ rug, if the Navajo artists processes their own materials. An authentic rug will contain only pure wool, however some of the less expensive rugs made for tourist may contain some cotton. It is important to note that these weavings made by Navajo rug makers and Navajo blanket makers are exceptionally strong and durable. Although some of the rugs and patterns may have specific names such as The Chinle Rug or The Storm Pattern, the patterns and rugs themselves have no particular ceremonial use or meaning.

Navajo rugs can be small, even measured in inches, or large enough to be measured in feet. Prices may range from under $100 to many thousands of dollars. Navajo rugs and Navajo blankets are used in many different ways from on the floor use as an actual rug to hanging on the wall as a piece of art. The finer yarns are best used as a wall hanging or draped across a bed.

Navajo rugs and Navajo blankets may be fastened to the wall with Velcro, however rug holders are available for these Native American rugs and blankets which assure no measurable damage.

When cleaning your Native American rug or blanket, it is preferable to vacuum them, as shaking can break fibers and loosen threads. It is a good idea to reverse the rug after vacuuming. Time, as well as bright sunlight has a tendency to fade the colors so that turning and reversing of your Native American rug will assure that the wear and fading is evenly distributed. Do not wash these native American rugs or blankets, as the water tends to make the dyes run. If available you may normally use a dry cleaning fluid for small spots, however the best thing is to have the rug or blanket cleat by a company that is familiar with these items. The major cause of damage is moths and spiders so a commercial spray for these is recommended.

As with all Native American Indian art, which particular Native American Indian rug or blanket a person wishes to purchase should be driven by their particular interest in the native American weaving itself, the symbols of interest, the style and overall appearance. Many weavings which are purchased for hanging are also evaluated by the patterns and the particular colors used.The most important part is that the buyer enjoy the piece they have purchased.


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	Native American Blankets Indian Rugs and Native American Blankets One of the oldest and most sought after of the Native American crafts is that of Native American Rugs and Native American blankets, sometimes referred to as Indian trade blankets. Probably the most well know is that of the Navajo rug makers and Navajo blanket makers. Navajo weavings are extremely intricate and the design is never drawn in advance. Navajo rugs and Navajo blankets are still done today on a vertical loom, by hand. The traditional Navajo rug makers still control the process from beginning to end. The Navajo rug maker or Navajo blanket maker will shear and then clean and card the wool, after which they will dye the wool. In many cases the dye will be hand made from local plants and vegetables. They then spin the fleece into yarn for their weaving. Because of the technique which is used by the Navajo rug makers and Navajo blanket makers, the yarn can be spun into smaller diameters than can be purchased. Shop for Native American Rugs and Blankets The colors and designs are in the mind and heart of the individual Navajo rug maker as they work. The thought process necessary to maintain the accurate and yet complex designs is very intricate. Many traditional Navajo rug makers and Navajo blanket makers will design a break in the pattern to allow a path for their thoughts to leave the weaving. The process of using the vertical loom causes some remains across diagonal lines known as lazy lines. A good way to determine whether a weaving was hand made by a Navajo rug maker or Navajo blanket maker versus machine made is to look for these lines. This process is extremely time consuming and it will take 350 hours for a Navajo rug maker to make a 3 X 5’ rug, if the Navajo artists processes their own materials. An authentic rug will contain only pure wool, however some of the less expensive rugs made for tourist may contain some cotton. It is important to note that these weavings made by Navajo rug makers and Navajo blanket makers are exceptionally strong and durable. Although some of the rugs and patterns may have specific names such as The Chinle Rug or The Storm Pattern, the patterns and rugs themselves have no particular ceremonial use or meaning. Navajo rugs can be small, even measured in inches, or large enough to be measured in feet. Prices may range from under $100 to many thousands of dollars. Navajo rugs and Navajo blankets are used in many different ways from on the floor use as an actual rug to hanging on the wall as a piece of art. The finer yarns are best used as a wall hanging or draped across a bed. Navajo rugs and Navajo blankets may be fastened to the wall with Velcro, however rug holders are available for these Native American rugs and blankets which assure no measurable damage. When cleaning your Native American rug or blanket, it is preferable to vacuum them, as shaking can break fibers and loosen threads. It is a good idea to reverse the rug after vacuuming. Time, as well as bright sunlight has a tendency to fade the colors so that turning and reversing of your Native American rug will assure that the wear and fading is evenly distributed. Do not wash these native American rugs or blankets, as the water tends to make the dyes run. If available you may normally use a dry cleaning fluid for small spots, however the best thing is to have the rug or blanket cleat by a company that is familiar with these items. The major cause of damage is moths and spiders so a commercial spray for these is recommended. As with all Native American Indian art, which particular Native American Indian rug or blanket a person wishes to purchase should be driven by their particular interest in the native American weaving itself, the symbols of interest, the style and overall appearance. Many weavings which are purchased for hanging are also evaluated by the patterns and the particular colors used.The most important part is that the buyer enjoy the piece they have purchased.