Hand-Spun Beauty

Sustaining Tradition

Woven into every fiber of a Jaipur Living wool rug is a story of profound respect for the land, people, animals, and tradition. The sprawling Bikaner region of Rajasthan is home to Chokhla sheep, which are known for their light-as-air wool. Always attentive, nomadic shepherds keep their flocks clean, dry, and well-fed so their wool retains its natural luster.

Woven into every fiber of a Jaipur Living rug is a story of profound respect for the land, people, animals, and tradition

Air-Spun Beauty

Sheep wool, just as fine wine, expresses the character of the region in which its produced. In cool climates like England and New Zealand, sheep wool is heavy and dense—an evolutionary necessity to survive cold winters. By contrast, Bikaner sheep produce lofty, light-as-air wool with an ultra-premium cloud-like thickness of 32 to 40 micron, or .03 to .04 millimeters—thick.

Flawless Fiber

The Bikaners call winter wool Siyadu, monsoon wool Ashadhu, and summer wool Chaitu. While the winter and monsoon wool have a faint saffron tint—Chandaniya, Sanskirt for sandalwood—Chaitu remains the crown jewel, distinctive for its pure white luster. This is the source of our rugs’ gloss, strength and beauty—and a source of pride for the villagers who helped create it.

Handmade Quality

After experienced sorters select the best wool, it’s imperative to sustain and enhance its quality. Post-shearing, villagers hand-wash the wool to remove dirt and debris, and time-honored techniques are used to sort the wool and balance color, weight, and luster. Artisans card the wool by hand to achieve the perfect length and infuse the wool with exceptional shine. The result: luxurious wool that’s ultra-soft and resistant to shedding or fraying.

The result: luxurious wool that’s ultra-soft and resistant to shedding or fraying.

Design with a Purpose

This method elevates not only the craft, but also lives the of our artisans, their flocks, and their communities. Village men typically serve as shepherds, while women often card and spin. Their employment offers rural families the chance to earn two incomes—and dramatically improve their quality of life. At Jaipur Living, our mission is exactly that: create beautiful lives—for our artisans and our customers.