Portuguese Arraiolos Needlepoint Rugs

View our breathtaking collection of Portuguese needlepoint rugs from China.

The Arraiolos rugs are treasures of the traditional Portuguese textile industry. In the beautiful village of Arraiolos in the South of Portugal it is not uncommon to find ladies sitting at their doorsteps busy making needlepoint carpets.

Needlepoint is another traditional craft that has a special place in the historical traditions of carpet weaving. Portuguese needlepoint rugs are a special class of carpets that have a unique history, particularly in the village of Arraiolos.

When many people think of carpets, what comes to mind are the pile rugs and traditional kilims of the middle east. Kilims are similar to a tapestry weaving and have a plain weave, as opposed to a soft, plush raised pile. However, these are not the only two methods used to create beautiful carpets. Needlepoint rugs is produced using a tapestry needle and creating stitches on an evenly spaced canvas.