Kilim Handmade Flatweaves

The term Kilim is a word of Turkish origin that is used to describe a pile-less, tapestry-woven carpet produced by using a flatweave technique. It is traditionally made in parts of the Middle East including Turkey, North Africa, Iran, Afghanistan, and Central Asia. Kilim rugs have a long history dating back thousands of years, with origins in the Anatolia region of Turkey. Many Kilim rugs were passed down as family heirlooms through generations of nomadic people. 

Today’s Kilim rugs still incorporate the colorful designs, tribal symbols, and geometric patterns that were common so many years ago. Kilim rugs are primarily made of wool because wool is plentiful in the regions that make kilim rugs and it’s also known for its durability and ability to take on brightly-colored dyes. Cotton is also commonly used because it can be woven into fine strands that can be interwoven throughout the wool to add detail to the design.

Compared to other types of rugs, Kilims have a wider range of uses because of the way they are woven. Traditional rugs are thicker and heavier, whereas Kilim rugs are flat-woven and because of this, they have no pile. That makes them lightweight and easy to hang on a wall or used as a table cover, floor covering, bedspread, or furniture covering.