Now Admiring: Wool Throw Rugs for Warmth Underfoot

Feel like bundling up lately? Same. Sweater season is upon us, and it’s time to layer up your interiors, too.

Personally I like to add literal and visual warmth with rugs in the cold months, and the past few years I’ve looked to Etsy to add to my collection. Among the reasons: 1) It’s easy to find one-of-a-kind, great-looking rugs that haven’t been seen everywhere. 2) You can shop directly from makers and weavers (or request something custom). And 3) there’s a slew of rugs made from 100 percent natural materials.

(A brief aside on that last point: Most mass-produced rugs these days are made from synthetics, according to Recycle Track Systems: “The outer layer, the one you walk on, is typically made of synthetic fibers like nylon, polypropylene, polyester, and acrylic.” The backing of the carpet, meanwhile, “is also plastic.” The result for earth is no good. “First, the 2,460,000 tons that get sent to landfills are extremely slow to break down, sitting there for possibly hundreds of years while contributing to emissions, and potentially leaching dangerous chemicals into the ground and water. If not taking up landfill space, they are commonly incinerated, where they release greenhouse emissions as well as potentially toxic pollutants.” Yikes.)

Natural fibers, on the other hand, like wool and cotton, have “long lifespans, superior feel, and higher quality”, so they last forever (and, much of the time, they can be composted).

During a recent browse, I came upon the 100 percent wool rugs from the shop WoolLoveCrafts on Etsy, based in Ukraine. Have a look at a few finds for winter coming on:

A bit about Anna’s making process: “To get a high-quality wool yarn, we take care of our sheep. Then their hair becomes docile and easy to shear. The lamb feels comfortable and safe while shearing. Sheared wool should be soaked in water and dried in a natural way to get ready for weaving. When the weaving process is finished I leave the blanket for 6-8 hours into a special place in the cold mountain river. After that water should drain naturally from the plaid, and it should be dried in the same way. This ‘water and drying process’ guarantees that the blanket will never shrink, get matted, or lose its colors.”

Adds Anna: “Like my ancestors, I never use any chemical paints, so you can be sure that from my shop you will get only natural and organic products.”

For more, head to WoolLoveCrafts on Etsy.

And for more natural fiber rugs we love, might we suggest:

• Premium Bohemian: Danish-Designed Cappelen Dimyr Rugs and Coverlets
• 10 Easy Pieces: Non-Toxic Rugs
• Expert Advice: How to Track Down Ethically Made, Eco-Friendly Rugs