Scandinavian Rya rug in virgin wool with sunburst patterns 200x156 cm. Handmade.A Rya is a traditional Swedish rug made of virgin wool strands from Icelandic sheep about 2 to 5 cm long. Originally, the Rya was a large blanket used by sailors to replace fur. Over time, the rugs have evolved to be lighter and more colorful but are still appreciated for insulating the cold floors of the Nordic countries. Rya's are made of a weft tied with ghiordes or Turkish knots consisting of three strands of wool, which gives the carpet a rich texture in shades of color. The name Rya comes from a village in southwest Sweden, but may also refer to the breed of sheep of Norwegian origin whose wool is used for Ryas.