M'rirt's Respectful Hand-Knot

Keltouma and her daughter Soukina lead this group of 25 artisans from a Village just outside Beni M’rirt, in the Middle Atlas Mountains. Founded in the early 2000s, the collective makes medium to high hand-knot rugs, a style named after the region as well as M’rirt Zanafi rugs, their interpretation of the Zanafi style from the southeast.

Traditional rugs from this region use a thick knotting technique, which makes the rugs feel extra plush.

There are many varieties of a rug that contain a Medium to High Hand-Knot—Boujad, Azilal, Beni Ourain, Beni M'Rirt, and Marmoucha, to name a few. While they may have similarities, the knot technique varies depending on the region or tribe the rug comes from.

The majority of these rugs come from the Middle Atlas and High Atlas Mountains. The local sheep in these colder climates have a thicker coat to sustain them during the winter months, which impacts the thickness of the wool, and in turn, contributes to the height of the pile.