Glossary

Abrash

The fibers in hand-spun wool are naturally of a varying diameter and lanolin content. One of the consequences of this is that different fibers absorb the dye differently so the colors differ slightly as well. This becomes even more pronounced when one uses all-natural dyes, which of course we do. Since our dyes are all-natural, no two dye lots can ever be exactly the same. This is called abrash. It is beautiful, desirable, and found only in hand-spun wool that is dyed with all-natural dyes. Antique rugs have it. Our rugs have it.

Note: too much abrash is not desirable and is often produced by artificial means in an attempt to simulate real abrash.

Spandrel

The corner spaces of the rectangular field, inside the borders, and the central medallion or arch in an Oriental rug.