What Is Tight Weave Navajo Rugs?

Before you purchase a Navajo rug, you must understand what it is. This article will explain the various types of rugs, their characteristics, and the natural yellow dyes used. In this article, we’ll examine the three major types of rugs: Tight weave, Lazy lines, and End cords. The following are the main characteristics of a tight-weave Navajo rug.

Tight-weave Navajo rugs

Native Americans used vegetable dyes on their Navajo rugs in the early nineteenth century. These dyes are extracted from local plants and combined with mordant to produce rich colors. Wool is then cooked in the dye solution, resulting in a densely woven rug with a densely textured and colorful surface. In the mid-nineteenth century, Anglo-Americans introduced aniline dyes to Navajo weavers, turning them away from traditional rug weaving and into the commercial market. Aniline dyes are bright, vibrant colors that made the Navajo rug famous.

Lazy lines

There are several reasons why a Navajo rug may feature lazy lines. In a nutshell, a lazy line is a diagonal break in the weave which allows the weaver to work on one section at a time. The Navajos weave their rugs using a method known as segmented weaving, which is more efficient than creating a continuous edge-to-edge pattern.

End cords

Often used to describe a Navajo rug’s fine weaving, end cords are two or three-plied cords that alternate across the top and bottom edges of a weaving. They secure the warps to the upper and lower beams. End cords are found on all Navajo rugs, but most have them on both sides. The word “end cord” derives from the Spanish word eye dazzler, which means “eye dazzler.” The term is also used to describe a type of weave known as an eye dazzler, which is influenced by Germantown blankets. In addition, the word “end cord” is a reference to the end of the weaving, which is a traditional finishing technique.

Natural yellow dyes

In the 1930s, the Navajo community rebounded from the Bosque disaster and became one of the largest Indian nations in the United States. They developed a thriving textile industry from coal and uranium deposits. The Navajo government invested in roads, and tourism boomed. The Navajo also encouraged the use of pastels in their weaving. After World War II, the weaving department at the Crystal Trading Post focused on vegetal dyeing. This technique was eventually used in many other Navajo rugs.

Transitional period

Historically, the transitional period was a time of great change for Navajo rugs. During this time, the Dine weavers transitioned from making wearing blankets to creating floor rugs. The opening of trading posts also spurred this change in textiles. Weavers of the time adapted their techniques to the rug market by adding borders and border patterns to the Navajo blankets.

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