Greek Flokati Rugs

Flokati rugs have been around since the fifth century, originating in a Vlach village in the Pindos mountains of Greece. Shepherds raised the sheep in these mountain regions and the women weaved the wool into sensuous, elegant, handwoven rugs. The Vlachs perfected the process, and over time created a worldwide market for these traditionally made products. After a surge in popularity during the late sixties and seventies, the Flokati rug is once again emerging as a product for the modern home, dorm room or even as wall decor.

Shag rugs are made of a variety of materials, both natural and synthetic. Wool, nylon and cotton are among the most common materials, but others are frequently used as well. One famous kind of shag rug is the, Greek Flokati which is made of goat's fur. Other varieties are made of leather or angora, but these are less common because of the immense difficulty of cleaning them.

flokati rug is a handmade shag wool rug. Making flokatis is a long-time tradition of the Vlachs in the Pindus mountains. The natural color of a flokati rug is off-white, but they may be dyed different colors. The entire rug is wool, including the backing from which the tapered shag emerges. After the rug is woven, it is placed in the cold water of a river to fluff the shag. They continue to be handmade in the mountains of Greece and are desirable in American modern decor and children's rooms.