What is this?

[Phil Smythe Member Find all posts View Profile Close Phil Smythe]

Hopefully an easier answerable question than the multi-faceted "of shed and shot".

What are the 'flat' straw-like strands in the wool in the image below? It is spread throughout the wool used for the pile in the carpet, although only noticeable on the back side when looking very closely.

Size of image below is only about 3/8" - 1cm square, so fairly highly magnified.

Thanks for any input.

[Steve Price Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close Steve Price]

It's obviously not something woven in. My best guess is that it's schmutz that got on it during use or transport.

Best,

Steve Price

[Joe Lawrence Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Joe Lawrence]

Pending where the rug was made, many are laid out directly in the fields for drying under the hot sun. Could be little bits of straw from the ground.

[Phil Smythe Member Find all posts View Profile Close Phil Smythe]

Thanks for your input Steve and Ortali!