On the surface they are indistinguishable, although somewhat different on the back, and the choice is purely a matter of personal preference based on the actual action of working the stitch.

The method by which a gauge is used to enable wool to be cut into even lengths of about 1 inches, plus a latchet-hook with which to push these pieces of wool through the canvas and knot them, is still that most commonly practised for hand-made rugs.

It produces a somewhat long but even pile and such rugs are very durable, but the latchet-hook involves the use of a large mesh canvas with either 6-ply wool or its equivalent in thrums.

Anything thinner will result in a poor pile on such coarse canvas. This naturally means an expensive rug—as was the dragon—and if short pile is used, on a finer canvas and requiring less wool, a rug will be made of the same size at an appreciably lower cost and with a more attractive texture.