FAQ

How do I contact you?

Email: rugs@escalanterugs.com
Phone: 928-639-1600

Mailing Address:
Escalante Rugs
305 Society Dr
Unit 1A
Telluride, CO 81435

Do you ship?

Yes, we ship normally with UPS within the US. We can quote you a shipping rate if you wish. Rugs are normally inexpensive to ship due to the weight versus the retail value. Escalante can give you an estimate of your rugs’ shipping cost.

Do you offer trade discounts?

Yes, we offer trade discounts to qualified retail stores, interior designers, guest ranches and boutique hotels. Contact us for more information.

What is your Return Policy?

We offer a 10 day notification, full refund return policy. Please notify us of your return within 10 days of receiving the order. We'll email you a prepaid UPS return label.


Tell me more about  the rugs…

Who makes them and where?

Zapotec Natives have been weaving their rugs in a small village outside of Oaxaca City, Mexico for hundreds of years. Zapotec’s have strong family ties and many members of one family will weave together.  They start weaving at a young age, being taught by parents and grandparents.  “Zapotec weavers express their sense of well being and belonging in what they weave, and the tapestries and rugs that are currently produced reconcile ancient history with the ways of the twenty-first century marketplace” (1).

What are the Zapotec people’s history?

“As far back as 500 B.C., Teotitlan’s early weavers used cotton and the backstrap tension loom…They wove primarily for themselves and possible trade.  Hundreds of years later, when the Aztec controlled much of Mexico, cloth was taken as tribute payments.  In the 1500’s the Spanish imposed levies as well, which the Zapotec weavers paid in the form of fabric and dyestuff”.  The Spanish introduced wool and the upright shuttle loom which then enabled the weavers to “work faster and create larger weavings” (1).

How are they made, and how large can they be?

The rugs are known as “Flat Weave” and are woven on an upright shuttle loom.
Escalante owns and custom built the largest loom in the village which is 14.5 wide (pictured to the right).  Any length can be woven.

What are the rugs made with?

Escalante Rugs are woven from five unique varieties of 100 percent wool yarns.

100% Scottish Lincoln Wool:
Escalante’s most luxurious rugs are woven with 100% Lincoln wool. Lincoln goats were first raised in Northern England in the 1800’s. It is the most durable, lustrous, and dense of all wool fiber. When held in the hands, the yarn of these Lincoln wool rugs feels silky. The dyes are very luminous and the extra weight of the textile is pronounced.

Mohair Wool Blend:

One of Escalante’s most exclusive yarn is a 50% Mohair and 50% wool blend.  Mohair is sheared from Angora goats and is truly an exquisite fiber with a delicate, warm appearance and rich luster. It’s the second strongest natural fiber behind horse mane hair, giving it the “diamond fiber” distinction. Mohair produced yarns have a halo-like glow and have the strength and durability to make an heirloom quality rug.

Angora Wool Blended Yarns:

Angora wool yarns give the same look and feel of our Mohair blend for a more affordable price.We use an imported Angora wool blend that is sheared from Angora goats.  Angora absorbs dye more evenly and with a richer tone than the Hand Spun wools.  Due to the long staple fiber it allows for a smoother hand and soft sheen.

Hand Spun Wool Yarns:
Deep in the Zapotec’s tradition are local hand spun yarns made with pre-Hispanic “drop spindle” method of spinning (link to Video). This process can often take more time than actually weaving a rug. Because each skein of drop-spindle yarns comes from an individual sheep’s fleece, there are slight differences in the natural shades when dyed, result in the variegated textures of the finished rug. The knobby feel of the Hand Spun pieces has been a staple of Flat Weave rugs through the centuries of weaving in North America.

100% Churro Wool Yarns:

Navajo-Churro is a rare, ancient breed of sheep introduced to the New World by the Spanish explorer Christopher Columbus on his second voyage.  The yarn produced from the wool of this sheep is extremely durable and long lasting with a beautiful sheen. Churro is a natural choice for rugs because of its strength. It is this wool that was used for the prized hand spun Zapotec, Navajo and Rio Grande blankets of the 19th century.

How long does it take to weave a rug?

The average for 2.5ftx 5ft rug is about a week working 6 to eight hours a day. For a larger rug such as a 8x10ft, the actual weaving takes about 2 to 3 months.  Preparation for the yarns can take can take from 1 to 7 days depending on the beginng stage of the yarns.  The preparation of the loom generally takes 2 to 3 days.

Where do the designs come from?

The designs of our rugs have multiple origins. The Zapotec Indians have many original designs inspired by ancient architectural emblems and symbols prevelant throughout their native lands.  Influence from other North American Indians such as the Navajo, Hopi etc have influenced the global weaving community as well. The traders and conquerors traveling throughout North America requested and influenced designs. They brought Persian designs from Europe as they were advanced in their weaving and design techniques. In turn, Zapotec designs are also being reproduced by other weaving communities around the world.

Can we special order a rug?

Yes!  Go to our Custom Order page to fill out and submit our form.
Following the submission of your request, Escalante will contact you with a time frame and firm quote for your Custom Order request. Time frame is calculated on receiving a half down deposit of the wholesale amount within two weeks of our response. No orders are placed without a deposit. The time frame can vary depending on size and complexity of design, but it normally takes between 3 and 6 months for completion.

Can you do custom colors?

Escalante has a sample pom color set with over 100 colors available for use in custom rug orders. We have over 1000 dye formulas in our library.  This allows us to quickly match your sample colors. We are master dyers with over 45 years combined experience.

Do the rugs require padding?

We highly encourage you use a pad under your rug for a longer life and non slippage. Escalante recommends Eco Preferred rug padding by One World Rugs The padding should be cut 3 to 4 inches in from the outside border of the rug. The folds in your rug will relax over the next few weeks. They are packed fairly tight to make the trip over the border from Oaxaca, Mexico. Smoothing and flattening with your hands is helpful to speed up the process. Wool has a great “memory” and will flatten accordingly.

How do I care for and clean my Escalante rug?

A simple vacuuming once a week is adequate to care for the rug. If/when the rug becomes soiled, simple soap (Woolite) and water with hand-washing is recommended. Be sure to draw the stain out instead of scrubbing. Do not put in the dryer. Block (flatten and stretch all sides) to their original shape while still damp to prevent disfiguring. Because of the high lanolin content of the wool, the rugs naturally repel stains and moisture. If the rug becomes very soiled/stained past spot cleaning, we recommend dry cleaning with a local cleaner that deals with rugs. Rotating/flipping your rug will even the wear and tear and give it a longer life.

Why Escalante Rugs?

Over thirty years ago and two generations, we started purchasing Zapotec weavings from Oaxaca, Mexico. During those 30 years we have established relationships in the village, working with and alongside the Zapotec Natives. The gracious nature of our indigenous friends and the deeply held cultural and historical charm are an honor to witness. Their incredible talent shows brightly in their tapestries and weaving’s.  We invite you to come along, as we continue creating the “magic rug” for you.

Where can I find Escalante Rugs?

Contact Escalante Rugs to find your closest retailer.