Kilim has got to be one of my all time favourite textiles ~ my house is full of it! The combination of beautiful patterns and symbols, and warm earthy colours is a winner for me, and it’s the style that really started my love affair with all things woven. 

Kilim has been produced since ancient times, originating in countries of the Persian Empire, such as Iran, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, as well as In North Africa and the Turkic countries of Central Asia. It is a flat, tapestry-woven style traditionally made from wool, produced by tightly interweaving the warp and weft threads to create a flat (but beautifully textured) surface. 

The rich colours were traditionally created with natural plant dyes, making each piece and style totally unique and connected to its natural surroundings. Kilim pieces have been adorning tents and yurts for thousands of years, and are heavily imbued with tribal and spiritual symbols, such as the eye and the amulet. The eye, symbolised in many different ways, is used to ward off evil, and the amulet symbol offers protection and good luck. Kilim is a truly unique and magical textile art, and will always be among my firm favourites.