African Hand Woven Rug Brown & White Indian Navajo Design

What are Kilims or Kelims or Gelims

The word kilims simply mean flat woven rugs, or rugs without a knotted pile. Kilims are not knotted instead the tread or yearn are woven in flat manner on the warp strings, so they don’t have pile. Unlike hand-knotted rugs kilims have more than just floor covering use.

Kilims are a wonderful way of bringing vibrant colors and patterns to the wall and floors; they possess unusual ability to define spaces, adding warmth and texture.

In countries of origin, making pillows and bugs, hanging on the wall for decoration, using as table-sheets are a few ways to use kilims.

Soumak (also spelled Soumakh, Sumak, Sumac, or Soumac) is a tapestry technique of weaving strong and decorative textiles used as rugs and domestic bags. Baks used for bedding are known as Soumak Mafrash. Soumak is a type of flat weave, somewhat resembling but stronger and thicker than kilim, with a smooth front face and a ragged back, where kilim is smooth both sides. Soumak lacks the slits characteristic of kilim, as it is usually woven with supplementary weft threads as continuous supports.

The technique involves wrapping coloured weft threads over and under the warp threads, adding strength and embroidery-like pattern.

The technique of making a soumak involves wrapping wefts over a certain number of warps (usually 4) before drawing them back under the last two warps. The process is repeated from selvedge to selvedge. The wefts are discontinuous; the weaver selects coloured threads in turn, and wraps each within the area which is to have that particular colour. Unlike kilim, the back is left ragged, with all the loose ends of the differently-coloured weft threads visible, sometimes several inches long, providing extra thickness and warmth. Also, unlike kilim, there are no slits where colours meet, as there is a supplementary or structural weft which supports the coloured pattern weft. Some late Soumaks made by the Kurds are however "weftless", lacking the structural weft support, and the stitches naturally overlap.

Soumaks tend to be finely woven, and although not as durable as piled carpets, they are stronger than kilims. The soumak wrapping often covers the whole surface of a bag or rug, but it can equally be applied in decorative strips, contrasting with the plainer and thinner flatweave areas. For example, camel bags from Malatya in Eastern Turkey could be woven in simple flatweave stripes of red and blue, with broad strips of soumak weft-wrapping with motifs for fertility and protection.

Bags were sometimes woven with a face of soumak, with a tapestry-woven kilim-like top creating slits between blocks of colour: a rope was threaded in and out of the series of slits to fasten and close the bag. Sizes vary, from carpet format through bags for bedding or for use on pack animals, to tiny tribal domestic bags. The following images show the appearance and construction of just such a soumak saddle bag, woven in Luristan at the end of the 20th century. The Lurs sometimes, as here, combine soumak and knotted carpet piling to adorn a single piece. To form the motifs, the weaver may push the weft threads about to form curves or slanting shapes as desired.

Kilim is a type of flat-woven rug or tapestry that is traditionally made in various regions of the Middle East, Central Asia, and North Africa. Kilims are typically made using wool or cotton, although silk may also be used in some cases, and they are known for their colorful geometric patterns and designs.

Unlike many other types of rugs, kilims have a flat, tight weave that gives them a smooth texture and a durable, long-lasting quality. They are often used as floor coverings, wall hangings, or decorative textiles, and they have become popular around the world for their unique aesthetic and cultural significance. Kilims are also valued for their practicality, as they can be easily rolled up and transported, making them a popular choice for nomadic cultures and travelers.

Kilims are made using a flat-woven technique that is distinct from other types of rugs and carpets. The weave of a kilim is created by interlocking warp and weft threads, which are typically made from wool, cotton, or silk. Unlike traditional pile carpets, which have a raised surface created by knots or tufts of yarn, kilims have a flat surface with no pile.

The weft threads in a kilim are tightly woven through the warp threads, which creates a dense, sturdy fabric. The patterns and designs on a kilim are created by using different colors of yarn and weaving them in specific sequences and patterns. This allows for a wide range of geometric shapes and motifs to be created, including diamonds, triangles, stripes, and chevrons.

One of the unique aspects of kilim weaving is that the design is visible on both sides of the rug. This is because the weft threads are woven back and forth across the warp threads, rather than being knotted or tufted in place. This double-sided construction gives kilims a versatile quality, as they can be flipped over and used on either side. It also allows for a wider range of colors and designs to be used, as the reverse side of the rug will also be visible.

Kilim wool is a type of wool that is commonly used in the production of kilims, which are traditional flat-woven rugs or tapestries that are popular in various regions of the Middle East, Central Asia, and North Africa. Kilim wool is prized for its durability, resilience, and ability to hold color well.

Kilim wool is typically sourced from sheep or goats, and it is generally considered to be of a higher quality than other types of wool due to the unique properties of the fibers. The wool fibers used in kilim production are usually longer and thicker than other types of wool, which makes them stronger and more resistant to wear and tear. Additionally, the fibers are often hand-spun, which gives them a more irregular texture and a rustic, artisanal quality.

One of the advantages of using kilim wool in rug production is that it is naturally resistant to stains and odors. This is because the wool fibers have a natural protective coating that repels moisture and bacteria, which makes them easier to clean and maintain over time. Kilim wool also has natural insulating properties, which helps to keep the rugs warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

Overall, kilim wool is a high-quality material that is valued for its durability, color-fastness, and unique texture. It is a popular choice for traditional rug weaving and has become a sought-after material for modern home decor as well.