Knowing a little about the original styles helps identify good quality machine-made reproductions. Yarns in the original Berbers were coarse, slubbed and rugged. They may be square, round, rectangular or oval. Several individual lengths of braid or a continuous braid may be stitched or laced together into the desired shape. Combining traditional shapes or creating a free-form shape produces a more contemporary braided design.
Braids range from three to seven or more strands.
The flatter the braid, the more quickly the rug wears out. Braids of the same weight and width wear the most evenly. Hooked rugs may be yarn, fabric, leather or other material selected by the designer. Any design or shape can be created with a hooked rug. A variety of hook styles and hooking techniques is used, but the results are similar.