Wool is the most common material used in making rugs, at least in regard to the pile or the flatwoven facing of the rug. Rug wool comes primarily from sheep, although goat wool can be used as well. Wool quality can vary enormously. Some wool is soft and lustrous, with a silky sheen that is enlivened by proper illumination. Some wools are dull and unreflective. Lustrous wool is moist or lanolin-rich, far healthier and more durable than dry wool.
One of the most important choices that weavers make is the quality of their wool. It affects the cost and value of a rug, as well as its ability to stand up to use. Some wools, however, are chosen for their fineness, softness, and textural delicacy. These wools come from the neck and belly of the sheep, like Angora wool, or, in the case of Indian Pashmina wool, from the downy layer close to the skin of the animal. Wool may be used for the foundation of the rug as well as for the pile or facing. Wool foundations are particularly typical of nomadic and village weavering.
