ABC MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

This month's topics are:   

Persian Karaja Oriental Rugs

Safe Rug Storage

Ocean Garbage Update

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PERSIAN KARAJA ORIENTAL RUGS

Karaja oriental rugs (also spelled Karadja, Gharadjeh, Qaraajeh, Gharajeh) are woven in a small, isolated village located in the NW region of Iran, about 35 miles from the weaving center of Tabriz. Access to the village is possible only by a single unpaved road.

These rugs are relatively easy to identify, though some of their designs and their construction can be mistaken for rugs from the nearby weaving areas of Heriz and Hamadan.

This is because they often use a Heriz-like medallion design and their single-wefted construction is similar to Hamadan rugs. (The backs of single-wefted rugs feature every other warp exposed across the width of the rug giving a distinctive pattern of easily defined lines across the rug).

Nonetheless, upon closer inspection, Karaja oriental rugs can be seen to have specific construction and design features that make them quite unique. They fit well into our study of Oriental Rugs by Design.

CONSTRUCTION

Rugs woven in Karaja are similar to many of the rugs in the area as far as color, texture, and pile height, but, as mentioned above, they have some unique features, especially in regard to their construction and their designs (see below).  

A loosely inserted single cotton weft, (yarn that is inserted from side to side), sometimes dyed blue or light gray, results in rugs that are completely smooth on the back side, quite unlike the rugs in neighboring weaving areas. Karaja rugs also have heavy double-cord serging on the sides.  

The foundation of the rug uses cotton for the warp (up and down yarns) and either wool or cotton for the wefts (side-to-side yarns).

The pile is made of handspun wool and is tightly constructed using a symmetrical or Turkish knot.

Pre-World War II Karaja oriental rug weavers used natural dyes. Today they are all synthetic.   

The fringed ends at the top are usually plain. The bottom fringes have twisted uncut loops.

DESIGNS & MOTIFS

A typical design used in Karaja oriental rug weaving features a brick or red field covered with repeating Heriz-style geometric medallions. Another design contains a latch-hook diamond flanked vertically by 2 medallions of simple geometric shapes. 

A common pattern consists of 3 or 4 very large diamond-shaped medallions extending from one end of the rug to the other.

Typical borders of these rugs usually have 3 stripes in navy or royal blue.

Motifs are bold and can resemble insects, leaves, and crabs. Karaja rugs can also have floral-like motifs such as paisley or pear motifs usually placed inside diamond shapes.

COLORS

For further information on colors, sizes, and Karaja oriental rugs today with photos, please continue reading here.

SAFE RUG STORAGE

When our customers seek information on safe rug storage, they are typically most concerned about how to prevent moth damage.

A rug in storage, especially if it has not been professionally cleaned and properly prepared for storage, can be irreparably destroyed in a relatively short time. And the culprit can run the gamut from moths to beetles to vermin to moisture!

WHAT ATTRACTS MOTHS & OTHER INSECTS?

Any rug that is unattended (such as under furniture, in a dark area, or stored) and/or harbors foodstuff or protein substances, such as accumulated pet hair, can attract moths. Urine, whether animal or human, will also attract moths. This is important to note if there are pets in the home. 

It is the larvae, not the adult moths that cause the damage. Moth larvae can digest protein fibers such as wool, silk, and specialty hair fibers on wool and other natural fibers, but they will also find and eat protein substances found on synthetic fibers. That means your synthetic area rugs and textiles made from nylon, acrylic, polyester, etc. can also attract moths and other insects if they are dirty.

It is important to note that though you can see adult moths and larvae, moth eggs are microscopic. If you have seen moths flying around, you probably have an infestation somewhere.

Even if you don't suspect moths and you are concerned about safe storage for your rugs, you should assume your rugs are harboring moth eggs. 

SHOULD A RUG BE ROLLED OR FOLDED FOR SAFE RUG STORAGE?

Unless a rug is very old and fragile, rolling it for storage is generally the most beneficial. Folding, rather than rolling a rug, especially if it is stored for a long period time, may cause creases that may be difficult to steam or clean out. If possible, roll the rug around a cardboard support tube.

Roll wool rugs with the pile side up, just as they lie on the floor. Silk rugs or fragile wool rugs would be better rolled with the pile side out so there will be less pressure on the foundation.

SHOULD RUGS BE WRAPPED FOR STORAGE?

All area rugs should be wrapped for storage!

Wool rugs must be allowed to 'breathe.' Wool fiber holds up to 30% of its weight in moisture and can still feel dry. The fiber needs to take in and release that moisture.

Therefore, wool rugs that will be stored for an extended length of time should be wrapped in a cotton sheet, a canvas drop cloth, or ideally, in a permeable wrap such as Tyvek, which will keep out any insect or vermin invaders as well as spilled moisture from the outside, but will allow the wool inside to breathe.

Never wrap a wool rug completely in plastic!

Synthetic rugs, as well, would benefit from being wrapped properly for safe rug storage to prevent damage from insects, vermin, and mold and mildew.

WHERE IS THE BEST PLACE FOR SAFE RUG STORAGE?

The very best place to store any rug is in the same environment as your home, perhaps behind the sofa or on the top shelf of a closet. (Make sure to periodically unroll your rug, if possible, to check on its condition).

If you must store the rug in an area such as a basement, garage, or attic, make sure to elevate it off the floor and choose an area with the least amount of heat and humidity.

CAN'T I JUST PROTECT MY RUGS WITH PRODUCTS SUCH AS CEDAR or MOTHBALLS, FLAKES, OR CRYSTALS?

Find out the answer to this question and more information about safe storage of your rugs with photos of rug insects pests, as well as how we treat and clean and prepare your rugs for storage at ABC by reading here.

OCEAN GARBAGE UPDATE

In our November 2016 Newsletter, we posted an article containing information about the dilemma of plastic waste in our oceans:

Approximately 50% of plastic waste ends up in landfills where it will sit for hundreds of years because there is limited oxygen and a lack of microorganisms to break it down. The remaining percentage of plastic goes into the environment and is ultimately washed out to sea.

The plastic that eventually reaches our oceans does not disintegrate into organic substances such as natural substances do. The particles just keep getting smaller and smaller. Eventually they become as small as the algae and plankton that are the basis for the marine food system. Shrimp, birds, and fish consume these particles and it can kill them. Then the chemicals in these plastic pieces can be absorbed by their predators which can ultimately be passed on to humans.

Additionally, plastic particles act like sponges for waterborne organic pollutants such as PCBs, pesticides, and herbicides, etc.

Ocean gyres are large circular current areas formed by global wind patterns and ocean currents. Debris, made up mostly of small particles of plastic, is drawn into these areas by the circular motion of the gyre. When the debris eventually makes its way to the center of the gyre, it becomes trapped and breaks down into a plastic soup. These are called 'garbage patches' and have become a major concern for oceanographers and ecologists.

According to the Nation Geographic, the Indian Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, and North Pacific Ocean all have significant garbage patches. The garbage patch in the North Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and California is sometimes called the Pacific trash vortex or the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch could be called the largest 'landfill' in the world!

ONE YOUNG MAN IS PLANNING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Boyan Slat was a 17 year old Dutch high school student when he went on a diving trip to Greece. As he entered the ocean and became totally surrounded by plastic waste, he had an epiphany. He realized this plastic waste in the ocean would be one of biggest environmental issue problems his generation will have to face.

Boyan knew about garbage patches and he thought the problem was being worked on. But after his Greece trip he decided to do some research and found that most of the solutions that had been presented were ineffective. So this amazing young man, decided to put his social and educational life on hold and focus his entire time on working out a solution, even though it seemed the odds might be against him.

Now, just 6 years later, with donations primarily from private sources totally millions, the 22 year old is ready to launch the first phase of his invention in early 2018. He estimates his design solution will be able to collect about 50 percent of the plastic in the Great Pacific Ocean Garbage Patch in just five years!

BOYAN SLAT'S INVENTION

His design utilizes massive floating booms that sit on top of the water. They actually act like a mini-coastline. In the same way our beaches collect plastic waste, the boom gathers the waste and pulls it to its center. A boat will be sent to the area about once a month to collect the garbage.

The booms will not be attached to the ocean floor (savings millions of dollars) but will be suspended in the ocean and attached to anchors that will float deep down below, allowing the booms to move slowly around. They will be held in place for the most part by deep water tides. Whatever forces move the plastic around will also move the cleanup systems around making them very much like plastic magnets.

Slat's design is solar-powered, modular, and flexible enough to move with the tides. He is planning to have up to 50 devices ready, 0.6 miles each. If one device should break down, there would still be 49 others continuing to operate. One of his devices will be tested later this year as the first stage of his design is put into place.

WHY SLAT BELIEVES THE CLEANUP MUST START NOW

To find out why and watch a fascinating video presentation from this young man as well as more information about him and what scientific critics are saying, please continue reading here.

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