The Kilim and the Flatweave

Flat woven rugs

Considered as the oldest form of rug making (nearly 10,000 years old), the kilim rug technique spread throughout Asia and the Mediterranean basin thanks to the nomadic tribes of the Caucasus and Anatolia.

The looms are usually horizontal and laid on the ground. The large family of flat woven rugs is known generically as “Flatweave”. Wide looms are rather rare, as they are laid flat on the floor and require some space between the walls and columns of the weaving room.

The design is made through the interweaving of different coloured weft threads between the warp threads, both made of cotton.

Kilims are flat because they do not have pile and their patterns are more geometric.

The thickness of this type of rug depends on the thickness of the yarn used. The thicker the yarn, the heavier the kilim and the fewer the patterns. Kilim weaving is very suitable for repetitive, rather geometric designs. Indians give several names to flatweave: flatweave, handwoven, kilim, dhurry and drugget.

IKL-W1 - Plain Kilim - Wool (India)
Price
On request
Quality
Plain
Techniques
Kilim
Origin
Inde
Composition
Laine
Spinning
Filature
Features
Tissé plat sans velours
Cutting
Oui ou non
Weight
2,5 kg/m²
Rug backing
Souple
Account code
23.0012 W (12)
Rates
IKL-W1
IKL-W2 - Graphic Kilim - Wool (India)
Price
On request
Quality
Graphic
Techniques
Kilim
Origin
Inde
Composition
Laine
Spinning
Filature
Features
Tissé plat sans velours
Cutting
Oui ou non
Weight
2,5 kg/m²
Rug backing
Souple
Account code
23.1004 W (12)
Rates
IKL-W2
IKL-W3 - Traditional Kilim - Wool (India)
Price
On request
Quality
Classic
Techniques
Kilim
Origin
Inde
Composition
Laine
Spinning
Filature
Features
Tissé plat sans velours
Cutting
Oui ou non
Weight
2,5 kg/m²
Rug backing
Souple
Account code
23.1002 W (18)
Rates
IKL-W3
IKL-W4 - Vintage kilim - Wool (India)
Price
On request
Quality
Gazni Antique
Techniques
Kilim
Origin
Inde
Composition
Laine Gazni
Spinning
Filature
Features
Tissé plat sans velours
Cutting
Oui ou non
Weight
2,5 kg/m²
Rug backing
Souple
Account code
23.1002 Wg (18)
Rates
IKL-W4
IKL-J1 - Plain kilim- Jute (India)
Price
On request
Quality
Plain
Techniques
Kilim
Origin
Inde
Composition
Laine
Spinning
Filature
Features
Tissé plat sans velours
Cutting
Oui ou non
Weight
2,5 kg/m²
Rug backing
Souple
Account code
23.0001 J (8)
Rates
IKL-J1
IBR-HY1 - Braided - Hyacinth (India)
Price
On request
Quality
001
Techniques
Braided
Origin
Inde
Composition
Hyacinth
Spinning
Manuel
Features
Tissé plat sans velours
Cutting
Oui ou non
Weight
4,5 kg/m²
Rug backing
Rigide
Account code
25.0001 Hy (40)
Rates
IBR-Hy1
IBR-J1 - Braided - Jute (India)
Price
On request
Quality
001
Techniques
Braided
Origin
Inde
Composition
Jute
Spinning
Manuel
Features
Tissé plat sans velours
Cutting
Oui ou non
Weight
6 kg/m²
Rug backing
Rigide
Account code
25.0001 J (40)
Rates
IBR-J1
IBR-Pi1 - Braided - Pineapple (India)
Price
On request
Quality
001
Techniques
Braided
Origin
Inde
Composition
Pineapple
Spinning
Manuel
Features
Tissé plat sans velours
Cutting
Oui ou non
Weight
6 kg/m²
Rug backing
Rigide
Account code
25.0001 Pi (40)
Rates
IBR-Pi1
IBR-Wr1 - Braided - Water Reed (India)
Price
On request
Quality
001
Techniques
Braided
Origin
Inde
Composition
Water Reed
Spinning
Manuel
Features
Tissé plat sans velours
Cutting
Oui ou non
Weight
3,6 kg/m²
Rug backing
Rigide
Account code
25.0001 Wr (40)
Rates
IBR-Wr1

Use of different looms to produce flat woven rugs.

Paddle Dhurry

The classic loom (Paddle Dhurry) is horizontal and laid on the ground. At least two paddles are needed to lift the different coloured threads and create the design. It is common to use 4 to 6 paddles, and up to 8 for complex designs.

Shuttle Dhurry

The weft thread, the one that forms the design, is wound onto a shuttle (and not threaded by hand between the warp threads)

Panja Loom

Vertical loom. Panja is the name given to the reed used to pack the rows of weft threads that make the design. The more the rug is packed, the more compact and heavy it is.

Pitloom

Simple and fast loom

Why choose a kilim?

  • If you need a flat rug without pile. Some patterns can be added by tufting or knotting other materials.
  • If you like ethnic-inspired geometric designs.

  • For low budget.

  • Lightweight and easy to handle.

  • Quick to make.

Choose a technique

Wilton Carpet

Axminster

Printed Carpets

The Kilim and the Flatweave

Hand tufted

The Handloom Weave

The Tibetan
Knot

The Persian
knot