Chapter Twelve

ORIENTAL RUGS

Rugs and draperies

To be quite up to date, Miss Dolly should have oriental rugs and draperies in her house beautiful. These are easily made on the loom, and the little girl or boy, who has first copied a pattern and then seen it grow under patient fingers, has a thing of beauty and a joy forever. What could give more pleasure than to be able to say fifty years from now: "I wove that, my dear, when I went to school"? Truly the grandchildren would reply: "How I wish I could have gone to grandma's school!"—only they may have something equally beautiful which will take its place in that far-off time—who knows?

Border for rugs or squares

Borders for rugs or squares

Patterns

Oriental colors

The patterns for oriental rugs familiar in the East have descended through hundreds of years, and the exquisite colors, produced by vegetable dyes, and increasing in richness and beauty with age, are only to be seen in old rugs. We have nothing in our modern dyes to compare with the old color. One is soon interested in the study of these Eastern treasures, and it becomes second nature in a short time not only to chat familiarly of Kermans, Serebends, Khivas, Bokharas, and Kiz-Kilims, ad infinitum, but to jot down now and then in one's notebook, or still better in one's design book (made of the kindergarten squared paper, one-eighth inch), a pretty border or centerpiece for the rug which is to grace some doll house. The patterns of Turkish rugs (see page 127) are of geometrical or arabesque designs—an edict from the Koran having prohibited the reproduction of living things. The Persians, however, weave animals, birds, etc., as their ancestors did in days gone by.

Inscriptions on Persian rugs

There is some very interesting reading in "Oriental Rug Weaving," by V. Kurdji, on the subject of inscriptions often found on Persian rugs. He says: "If the possessors of some of the rare pieces that are sold in this country knew the meaning of the inscriptions woven in their rugs, the knowledge would add a charm and interest which would make them more valuable than the harmonious colors so beautifully blended."

Pattern for border of Persian rug

Bokkara rugs

Khiva rugs

Oriental rugs take their names from the countries or provinces in which they are made. Bokhara rugs are made in mountainous districts of Turkestan, and have never been successfully imitated, because the dyes used are made from a plant grown only in that district. The designs are geometrical, and the colors deep maroon or blue. The pile is woven as close as velvet. They are noted for the superior quality of their dyes. Khiva rugs, sometimes called afghan, are made in Turkestan. They resemble the Bokhara rugs, but are coarser in texture and heavier in pile, and they differ from them in having a wide selvage at each end. Some Khivas have a small pattern in red mosaic over the surface with a circle in the center. One often sees a rug made of a rich golden yellow with a background of dark red.

A Kiz-Kilim rug pattern

Pattern for a Kiz-Kilim stripe

Kiz-Kilim rugs

The Kiz-Kilim rugs have no nap, and are woven with a needle. They are thin and almost alike on both sides. The larger sizes are woven in two strips fastened together so that they can be taken apart and used for curtains. "These Kiz-Kilims are woven by Armenians and Turks in Anatolia (the land of sunrise, and the Greek name for Asia Minor). The literal translation of the word Kiz-Kilim is bride's rug, it being a custom in that country for a bride to present to her husband one of these rugs, which she has woven during her engagement to him. The quality of the rug is supposed to measure the quality of the husband's affection for his bride, consequently we have many beautiful specimens of this class, the brilliant hues and intricate designs of which could only have been inspired by the whisperings of Cupid. They are in open-work patterns—called perforated—and often have long tufts of colored silk tied to the rugs with blue beads, in order to keep them from the effects of the Evil Eye." The Kiz-Kilim rug in the illustration was copied from a genuine rug. The filling is a deep blue and the borders are in oriental colors. The center figure is white, with red, brown, and yellow inside. There are four kinds of Kilims. Much interesting and valuable information can be found in John Kimberley Mumford's "Oriental Rugs"; New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1900, where directions for weaving Kiz-Kilims, Khivas, and Bokharas are given, with a few patterns.

A Kiz-Kilim rug

Pattern for a Turkish rug

Materials used

Perforations

Oriental wools or carpet ravelings are used for these rugs. Copy your figures and colors from genuine rugs. The accompanying patterns were obtained in this way. See directions on page 47 for stringing a double warp with fringe at each end. First fasten the pattern under the warp; then weave about one-quarter inch at each end with carpet thread like the warp. This will make it look like a "truly" Kiz-Kilim. Next to this, weave a very narrow strip of several colors each twice across, regarding the double strings as one. Then weave each part of the narrow border. To make the perforations, take up one thread of the double warp for one side of the pattern, and the other thread for weaving the pattern next to it. For instance, the "steps," as the children call them, of triangle No. 1, when finished, will stand close to the steps of triangle No. 2, with a little slit between. These perforations occur only where one pattern joins another of a different color, or the dark filling. For instance, in the white figure in the center, where three or five squares come together, the slits occur at each end, the part between being woven over the double strings as if they were only one. In this way the perforations of other parts are closed top and bottom. Use a tape needle and weave each section of the pattern separately. Weave the filling last. As this peculiar tone of blue could not be obtained in carpet ravelings, an eighth of a yard of terry was raveled for the purpose. Take care not to draw any part of the pattern too tight, or the perforations will be too large. The right and left edges of the rug are woven over the rods to keep them straight. Both narrow borders were woven before the center was commenced. The pattern in the illustration is for a Wilton or Axminster rug, but can be used for mats, or box, sachet, and cushion covers. It is made with cross-stitch embroidery on burlap, silk, or wool canvas. (See also page 120.)

A pattern for a rug or square

Turkish patterns laid with tablets

The children can lay these Turkish patterns with square tablets upon their desks, the pattern being drawn upon the board, or on paper with a rubber pen. It will be a delight to the children to transfer them to paper by drawing and then coloring, or by cutting and pasting colored papers.

Stitches for Khiva and Bokhara rugs

The genuine Khiva and Bokhara rugs are made by weaving and knotting alternately. It will be easier at first to weave a web, or foundation. Choose a tight twisted yarn about the color of the rug to be woven. String a close warp of the wool and weave plain up and down, one string at a time, until you have a rug of the desired size. Put in the pattern first, and then the filling. This work will be almost too difficult for little children. Carpet wools and Germantown wool can be used. It will not be found difficult to follow the pattern, especially if one is used to cross-stitch embroidery. Each stitch counts for one of cross-stitch. Keep the stitches very close together so that the nap will stand up well when finished. Silk rugs can be copied in the same way, using floss or rope silk for the pile. If one prefers, a piece of burlap may be stretched across the loom and secured to the rods, instead of weaving a foundation, as suggested.

Stitches for pile weaving

Stitches for pile weaving

The first stitch

Stitches for pile weaving are very easily made. This illustration showing examples of stitches for pile weaving illustrates the methods used in the stitches, and may be used for Axminster or Wilton rugs, for boxes, sachet cases, and other articles. The tape needle is the kind used for weaving when the large needle cannot be used. It is preferable to use one of this kind on account of the eye and blunt point, and it may be obtained at the notion counter in department stores for a few cents. There are two stitches, each occupying half of the illustration and numbered from left to right, beginning at the top. Make No. 1 by passing a tape needle threaded with wool down through the web, leaving a short end, then up one stitch to the left. This is the first step. In No. 2 continue over on the right side, past the stitch where you started, to the stitch on the right; then down and up through the first hole, and cut off the wool the same length as the end you left at first. No. 3 shows a stitch completed. No. 4, one row of stitches, and No. 5, three rows, showing how one row overlaps another. When the rug is finished, the ends should be cut evenly, so that the nap is like velvet. The children would say that this stitch looks like a two-legged stool, and so it does.

The second stitch

The second stitch is made so that the nap lies sideways from left to right. No. a is just like the preceding stitch. No. b shows the needle passing down the stitch where you started and up one stitch to the right. Cut off the wool and pull the end left at first over the last one. This pile should stand very straight and even. No. c shows a completed stitch; No. d one row, and No. e three rows. These stitches are useful in mending Khiva and Bokhara rugs.

Wilton and Axminster rugs

Wilton, Axminster, or any rugs having a pile, can be woven with the same stitches. The pattern in the illustration may be used for either a Wilton or Axminster rug, for a box cover, cushion, sachet case, or mat; and can be cross-stitched embroidery, on burlap, silk or woolen canvas.

Pattern for a rug, mat or cover