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Rugs and carpets have been made in a variety of different cultures around the world, and are an important aspect of many traditional societies. While different cultures in different parts of the world use their own variations of well known rug making techniques, there are some basic methods that are used almost everywhere. Along with the methods of rug and carpet production, the creative aspects of design are also an integral part of many traditional cultures. The geometric patterns and figures that are represented in wool rugs and carpets often have very tight links to mythology and religion, and many designs act as simple archetypal versions of the patterns of nature and reality. While much of the specifics of rug and carpet design is linked to certain places and intrinsic to their culture, there are a few basic techniques that can help anyone to create rugs that have a traditional appearance.
It is important to note that the distinction between rug design and manufacture is not so defined in traditional cultures. Many rug making cultures develop individual designs as the manufacturing process is going along, and there is no distinctive period of design before the braiding, hooking, and weaving begins. However, from a modern perspective, it is probably a good idea to formulate a basic design on paper before construction begins. Some of the popular methods that are used to manufacture traditional style rugs include braiding, hooking, using needle punch, prodding, and weaving. Many of these methods utilise only simple tools, and are accessible to anyone who has the patience and the desire to forge ahead. In terms of rug and carpet design, it is best to study basic geometric patterns and then work out a way to use them in the rug making process.

Lots of traditional rugs, including oriental rugs, are either knotted with a pile or woven without a pile. The choice of which methods you use will influence the patterns that you are able to create. There is a wealth of traditional geometry patterns and traditional illustrations online, both on websites dedicated to rugs and carpets and via other places concerned with traditional design and illustration. It is important to match particular designs with particular methods of manufacture, as not all patterns will be possible with all rug making techniques.