Carding
After washing, the wool holds purity — but it still needs harmony. Carding is the art of aligning every fiber so they work together, like hearts moving toward the same purpose. Two wooden paddles, bristled with fine metal teeth, are drawn against each other, catching the fibers and coaxing them into perfect alignment.
In Ruh Rug, carding is more than preparing wool for spinning. It is a reminder that unity creates strength. Each strand alone may be fragile, but when ordered and intertwined, they become capable of bearing years of footsteps, prayer, and life.
The artisans move slowly, rhythmically — a motion that feels almost like dhikr. With each pass, tangles are released, and the wool becomes lighter, loftier, and cloud-soft. This softness is not just for comfort; it is the foundation of durability. A rug that will serve for decades must begin with fibers that are patient and aligned.
“Indeed, Allah loves those who line up for prayer in rows as though they are a [single] structure joined firmly.”
(Qur’an 61:4)
By the end of carding, the wool resembles a small piece of the sky — airy, bright, and ready for transformation. From here, it will be spun into yarn, carrying with it the quiet order and care given at this stage, just as the soul is strengthened by the discipline of alignment.