Turkish Carpets

Carpet
weaving has long tradition in Turkey. They are of excellent quality and
design. They can be knotted carpets, the better known or flat weaves called
the Kilims. These Turkish carpets are an expression in the form of an art
for the Turks. They are protection against the extreme temperature
differences in the climate there. Carpets in Turkey is a way of life.
Turkish motifs are a complete language. They are the expressions of the
weaver who are generally women. Though the motif arrangement may vary with
the region, they speak the same language. The period they belong to are also
reflected in the motifs and their placements.
Knotted carpets are generally woolen on a cotton base. Silk carpets also
exist but woolen are preferred. The foundation may be silk for the silk pile
carpets. The turkish kilims are woolen flat weaves with bold patterns. A
different colored yarn is intriduced in the weft to create the design. The
two yarns are not joined thus creating slits where the different colored
pattern begins and ends. Natural dyes are used to color the yarn.