Finishing & Care of Your Braided Wool Rug

 This is the seventh post in a seven post series on wool rug braiding. Previous posts include Supplies & Wool Basics, Planning Your Braided Wool Rug, Disassembly & Felting, Stripping, Stitching, & Spooling, Starting Your Braided Wool Rug, and Lacing Your Braided Wool Rug.

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Congratulations! You’re almost done with your wool rug. Finishing is so simple. If your rug is oval, use the same band that you changed colors and patterns on to finish your rug; if your rug is circular, you can finish it at any point. 

The only thing you need to do when you’re finishing your rug is taper your last 8 to 12 inches of rope (eventually it will no longer be rope) and lace the last few inches of wool into your rug, separating your pieces. While you can use a needle nose pliers for this process, I recommend a small investment in a hemostat. Hemostats have a blunt edge, they clamp, and they have a smaller taper so it’s easier to work with as you reach up through your braids. Pull your pieces is various directions. There’s no science to it, just go where they best fit. 

Voila! You’re done! Now sit back and admire your work before you start planning your next one. 😉

Care and maintenance 

Whether you’re giving this as a gift or keeping it for yourself, you’ll wanna make sure that it’s cared for properly over the next few decades. 

First of all, when you’re transporting your rug — whether it be while you’re creating it, gifting it, or storing it — be sure to roll it, not fold it. The wool has a memory and will stretch and develop long-term creases, if folded. 

Secondly, do not put your rug in the washing machine. The agitation can cause your lacing to come loose and if it’s not thoroughly dried, your rug can rot. The best way to keep your rug clean is by regularly vacuuming it. 

I haven’t needed to clean mine yet, but I’ve heard the best way to do this is with freshly fallen snow and a hand broom. I found this post by Souly Rested on how to do this. The rugs she’s cleaning are 80 years old! Proof that if you take good care of them, they can easily last a lifetime. 

Last but not least, be conscious of where you display your rug: a sunny room can cause it to fade; putting it in your kitchen or at your front door can result in more regular wear and tear and stains; in front of a fireplace could end with small burn holes. I don’t discourage any of these places, but want you to consider the impact of their placement on their appearance and longevity.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this series on how to braid wool rugs. I’d love to see your final product!

— Melissa, Funky Crunchy Mama