Kilim is a Turkish word that refers to a low-pile rug. These rugs are widely made in Turkey, North Africa, the Balkans, the Caucasus, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Central Asia and parts of China.

The main difference between kilims and pile rugs is that kilims have no pile and are designed with alternating colorful weft and warp threads. Kilims are generally made using the slit weave technique, where different colored weft threads leave slits (gaps) between adjacent blocks to create their distinctive designs. Weavers pack the weft threads tightly to cover the warp threads and favor diagonal patterns to create geometric and floral designs.

Kilims are used not only for floor coverings, but also for wall hangings, furniture coverings, bags and cushion covers. Wool is the main material used for this, as it is flexible and durable, but cotton, goat, camel and horse hair are also used. Silk is a rare luxury material.

Kilims are made using a loom, a comb, a shuttle, a knife and scissors, and traditional motifs and symbols are woven into them. A unique feature of kilims is that the design on both sides is the same, so they can be used on either side.