Fibres

Various natural fibres may be used to make Turkish rugs. These include wool, cotton, goat hair, pure silk and floss silk. Whilst not as common, camel and horse hair may also be used,

Sheep wool is the most common fibre used in Turkish rugs, and the quality of the wool will vary according to the time of year the sheep is shorn, the climate and breed of sheep. The best wool comes from sheep reared in the cool mountain regions, as sheep in these areas produce more body fat, which produces a high lanolin content in the wool fibre.

The wool is hand spun using a drop spindle or spinning wheel.

Tribal rugs will usually have wool warp and weft threads, as well as wool knots, while cotton may be used for the warp and weft threads in village rugs, as it is stronger and more resilient than wool. This means that tighter knots can be tied to the cotton threads, and a tighter design created. Cotton may also be used, although not as commonly, in the pile of a rug.

Goat hair is often used in kilims, as well as saddle bags, cushions and baby cradles. While goat hair is often stronger and more resilient than wool, it is also often a coarser fibre, and not commonly used in the pile of knotted rugs.

Pure silk is the most expensive material used in the manufacture of Turkish rugs, and comes from silk cocoons. Silk is more resilient than wool or goat hair, and, when properly cared for, will retain it's lustre throughout it's lifespan. The thread from one silk cocoon, when unravelled, can stretch for over 25 kilometres. Silk is very strong and can be spun very finely, and knotted very tightly on silk or cotton warp and weft threads. Silk is thus used to produce fine rugs with intricate designs, and at least 1,000 knots per square inch. Some of the finer Hereke Silk rugs have up to 3500 knots per square inch.

Floss Silk is actually a man made fibre, and is used as an imitation silk. It is made from made from mercerised cotton, and is used in some rugs from Kayseri. It has a similar appearance to pure silk, and is knotted onto cotton warp and weft threads.