Red Striped Khorjin Rug
This red striped Khorjin rug was double hand knotted in Afghanistan in lamb’s wool and measures 222 x 171 cm. Wide red bands alternate with blue, green, tan and orange stripes from top to bottom, so the field has a strong, layered look.
The design up close
On this red striped Khorjin rug, the field is built from horizontal stripes of varying width. Two cream bands of S-shaped hooks run across the field, one in the upper part and one lower down, and between them the wider stripes hold small diamond and lozenge motifs in red, blue and green. Thin pinstripes in blue and orange separate the wider bands.
The top and bottom of the rug carry wider bands of diamond motifs in red, cream and blue. The outer border is red with a fine repeating pattern that frames the striped field closely.
Where Khorjin rugs come from
Khorjin rugs take their name from the Khorjin, the woven saddlebag of the region. A Khorjin is a pair of woven bags joined together and carried over a horse or donkey, traditionally decorated with geometric patterns.
Today’s Khorjin rugs take up that geometry across the whole field, often in many colours. Their busy, colourful patterns hide everyday wear and bring energy to a room, so this red striped Khorjin rug suits hallways, children’s rooms and family rooms.
How a red striped Khorjin rug is made
Our records note natural dyes. The design shows clearly on the back of the rug, with slight irregularities that come from tying each knot by hand. Khorjin rugs use thick, hard-wearing wool, often hand spun, which gives the surface its liveliness. Traditional Khorjin pieces use reds, blues and ivory, while newer designs use brighter, multicoloured palettes, and the red, blue and tan stripes here sit closer to the traditional end.
Sizing it for your room
At 222 x 171 cm the rug covers about 3.8 square metres. Its 2.22 m length suits a seating group, because the front legs of a sofa and two armchairs can rest on it around a coffee table. A dining table of about 180 x 90 cm would leave roughly 21 cm at each end and 40.5 cm along each side.
Strong stripes like these lift a room with pale walls, and they suit timber floors. A rug of this size works well for a room with a sofa and two armchairs. Thick wool hides everyday wear, so this red striped Khorjin rug works in a busy hallway or a family room.
Looking after your rug
Vacuum it on a suction-only setting, or with the beater bar switched off, so the brush does not pull at the knots. Turn it around every six to twelve months so sun and foot traffic wear it evenly. Blot spills with a clean white cloth and cold water rather than rubbing them in. When it needs a full clean, choose a cleaner who washes handmade rugs by hand.
Put a good underlay beneath it. It stops the rug sliding on timber or tiles, adds cushioning and takes some of the wear off the pile. Moths like wool in dark, quiet spots, such as the part of a rug under a sofa, so vacuum those areas often and lift the furniture now and then.
See it before you buy
Visit our showroom at 307 Penshurst St, North Willoughby, open every day from 11 am to 4:30 pm, to see this red striped Khorjin rug in person. If you would rather judge it in your own room, with your own light and furniture, book an in-home viewing and we will bring a selection to you.
Browse more Khorjin Rugs, or ask about a custom made rug in your own size and colour. Read more about Afghan rugs.
