Felted Rug: Home, Hope, and Protection I
If you've never stepped onto a handmade felted rug before, then perhaps you shouldn't, and read no further.
If you have then you're already ruined for other kinds of rugs (sheepskins not withstanding) and know there's no going back, and are most likely already on your way to covering your entire house with layers and layers of incredible rugs just like any self-respecting Kyrgyz--who are the amazing, kind, and generous craftswomen who taught me this art of rugmaking in depth during my travels in Kyrgyzstan. These designs are their traditional patterns--utilized with permission and reverence. Kyrgyz felt designs are a language, and with them a rug speaks a story. These rugs are as durable and hard-wearing as they are cushy underfoot.
STORY: The story of this little rug, and her twin (most rugs have at least one sibling) is all about home, hope, and protection--a perfect rug for the times in which we find ourselves. For making our home-spaces beautiful, welcoming, and hospitable, while seeing hope, a little sprout, rise up from the waters, with the protection of mountains surrounding us, keeping safe what is precious, within and without.
INGREDIENTS: Made from 100% organically grown Icelandic sheep's wool from our own flock, right here in Central Minnesota, all the colors are dyed-on-the-hoof, as we say. In other words, we have critters running around the farm in those colors, so they won't bleed or run and won't easily fade.
CARE: Felted rugs can be vacuumed, shook, beat, and washed in the washing machine on a wool cycle. Because they're already shrunk, they won't shrink more in the wash! Just smooth them and lay them flat to dry.