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Rya
255 92 Rya, SwedenAbout
A rya is a traditional Scandinavian wool rug with a long pile of about 1 to 3 inches.[1] They were made using a form of the Ghiordes knot to make the double-sided pile fabric.[2] Though rya means "rug" in English, the original meaning in Sweden of rya was a bed cover with a knotted pile.[3] The first ryas originated in the early fifteenth century as coarse, long-piled, heavy covers used by mariners instead of furs.[4] As time progressed, the rugs have evolved to be lighter and more colorful.[4] The insulation that ryas provide protect against the cold Scandinavian climate.[2][4] Ryas are a knotted pile carpet, with each knot composed of three strands of wool, which enables the rug to exhibit rich texture from all the different shades of color.[5] The name originates from a village in southwest Sweden.[6] The term rya may also refer to a breed of sheep whose wool is used to make rya carpets (see Rya (sheep)).
