A kilim is a flat tapestry-woven carpet or rug traditionally produced in countries of the former Persian Empire, including Iran, the Balkans and the Turkic countries. Kilims can be purely decorative or can function as prayer rugs. Modern kilims are popular floor coverings in Western households.
Hotamis Kilim (detail), central Anatolia, early 19th century
Gilim Iran museum
Modern galim
Diagram of kilim slit weave technique, showing how the weft threads of each color are wound back from the color boundary, leaving a slit
Weaving is a method of textile production in which two distinct sets of yarns or threads are interlaced at right angles to form a fabric or cloth. Other methods are knitting, crocheting, felting, and braiding or plaiting. The longitudinal threads are called the warp and the lateral threads are the weft, woof, or filling. The method in which these threads are interwoven affects the characteristics of the cloth.
Cloth is usually woven on a loom, a device that holds the warp threads in place while filling threads are woven through them. A fabric band that meets this definition of cloth can also be made using other methods, including tablet weaving, back strap loom, or other techniques that can be done without looms.
Warp and weft in plain weaving
A satin weave, common for silk, in which each warp thread floats over 16 weft threads
A Bangladesh Ansar officer weaving on duty.
Weaving pattern cards used by Skye Weavers, Isle of Skye, Scotland