Cotton appears in handmade rugs in two distinct roles. Woven flatweave, it is the traditional material of a dhurrie — lightweight, breathable, and taking dye well for crisp, even colour. In hand-knotted rugs, cotton is commonly used for the warp and weft foundation threads that the wool or silk knots are tied around, since cotton is strong and doesn't stretch much under tension.
Why it matters to a buyer
Cotton rugs and cotton foundations are generally more affordable than all-wool construction, and cotton's even dye uptake makes it a reliable choice for precise, consistent colourways.