Navajo rugs and blankets are beautiful hand-crafted weavings with a rich cultural heritage.  When purchasing a Navajo rug or blanket there will be many things that you need to consider including the dimensions of the weaving, the quality and the harmony of the color, the constancy of the weave, and the attractiveness of the design.  Navajo rugs and blankets that are made using vegetal dyes are typically more valuable than those which are commercially dyed.  When buying a Navajo rug it is also good to open it up so you can see all of it.  This may help you see the full effect of the design and the quality of the handiwork.   

When looking at a Navajo rug or blanket remember that they’re handcrafted and they should not be fully perfect.  It should display good artistry but shouldn’t look like it was made by a machine.  A well woven rug will be smooth without any thin or thick areas.  Another vital part of handiwork to have a look for in a Navajo rug or blanket is color uniformity.  Historically a weaver will dye small groups of yarn at a time, usually about enough to complete the rug they are working on.   

While high quality hand-crafted Navajo rugs and blankets will cost more than their mass produced choices in the long run you will be glad you made the investment.  These are one of a kind art pieces that are sturdy enough to be used as a rug and lovely enough to be hung on your walls.   

When you bring your Navajo rug home you can keep it looking great with consistent vacuuming.  The rug is built to last and can square up to heavy use without needing a visit to the dry cleaners.  After each vacuuming it is a brilliant idea to reverse the order of the rug so it’ll wear uniformly on both sides.  Never put a Navajo rug or blanket through your washer or dryer.