The richness of Türkiye’s knitting culture cannot be overemphasized. Each region has unique, local and traditional technologies, handmade fabrics and clothes, and carries the traditional history and culture of Anatolia.
As a production department and handicraft branch with a long history, weaving is an important part of Anatolian rich culture. This art form has existed since prehistoric times and is also an expression of civilization. With the passage of time, the development of exploration, evolution, personal taste and decoration has formed a variety of patterned fabrics in Anatolia today.
In the 21st century, although the textile industry still exists, its production and trade largely depend on advanced technology. The local fine knitting industry is struggling to survive in Anatolia. It is very important to record and protect the local traditional knitting technology and keep its original structural characteristics.
According to archaeological findings, the weaving tradition of Anatolia can be traced back thousands of years. Today, weaving continues to exist as a different and basic field related to the textile industry.
For example, Istanbul, Bursa, Denizli, Gaziantep and Buldur, formerly known as weaving cities, still maintain this identity. In addition, many villages and towns still maintain the names related to their unique weaving characteristics. For this reason, the weaving culture of Anatolia occupies a very important position in the history of art.
Local weaving is listed as one of the oldest art forms in human history. They have a traditional texture and are part of Türkiye’s culture. As a form of expression, it conveys the emotional and visual taste of local people. The technology developed by the weavers with their dexterous hands and infinite creativity makes these fabrics unique.
Here are some common or little-known knitting types still produced in Türkiye. Let’s have a look.
Burdur patterned
The weaving industry in the southwest of Burdur has a history of about 300 years, among which the most famous fabrics are Ibecik cloth, Dastar cloth and Burdur alacas ı/ particolored)。 They are one of the oldest handicrafts in Buldur. In particular, “Burdur particulated” and “Burdur cloth” woven on looms are still popular today. At present, in Ibecik village in G ö lhisar district, several families are still engaged in knitting work under the “Dastar” brand and make a living.
Boyabat circle
Boyabad scarf is a kind of thin cotton fabric with an area of about 1 square meter, which is used by local people as a scarf or veil. It is surrounded by wine-red ribbons and decorated with patterns woven with colored threads. Although there are many kinds of headscarves, Dura, a village in Boyabat in the Black Sea region ğ Near the town of an and Sarayd ü z ü – Boyabad scarf is widely used by local women. In addition, each theme woven in the scarf has different cultural expressions and different stories. Boyabad scarf is also registered as a geographical indication.
Ehram
Elan tweed (ehram or ihram), produced in Erzurum Province in eastern Anatolia, is a female coat made of fine wool. This kind of fine wool is woven with a flat shuttle through a hard process. It is true that there is no clear record in the existing written materials of when Elaine began to weave and be used, but it is said that it has existed and been used by people in its current form since the 1850s.
Elan woolen cloth is made of wool cut in the sixth and seventh months. The finer the texture of this fabric, the higher its value. In addition, its embroidery is handmade during or after weaving. This precious cloth has become the first choice of handicrafts because it does not contain chemical substances. Now it has evolved from traditional use to a variety of modern articles with different accessories such as women’s and men’s clothing, women’s bags, wallets, knee pads, men’s vests, neckties and belts.
Hatay silk
Samandaehl, Defne and Harbiye regions in Hatay province in the south have silk weaving industry. Silk weaving has been widely known since the Byzantine era. Today, B ü y ü ka is one of the largest groups that owns the hatai silk industry şı K family.
This local weaving technology uses plain and twill fabrics with a width of 80 to 100 cm, in which the warp and weft yarns are made of natural white silk thread, and there is no pattern on the fabric. Because silk is a precious material, thicker fabrics such as “sadakor” are woven from silk thread obtained by spinning cocoons without discarding cocoon residue. Shirts, bed sheets, belts and other kinds of clothes can also be made with this knitting technology.
Siirt’s ş al ş epik)
Elyepik is a fabric in Sirte, western Türkiye. This kind of fabric is usually used to make traditional clothes such as shawl, which is pants worn under “shepik” (a kind of coat). Shawl and shepik are made entirely of goat mohair. Goat mohair is starched with asparagus roots and colored with natural root dyes. No chemicals are used in the production process. Elyepik has a width of 33 cm and a length of 130 to 1300 cm. Its fabric is warm in winter and cool in summer. Its history can be traced back to about 600 years ago. It takes about one month to spin goat mohair into thread and then weave it into shawl and shepik. The whole process of obtaining yarn, weaving, sizing, dyeing and smoking fabrics from goat mohair requires mastering a variety of skills, which is also a unique traditional skill in the region.
Post time: Mar-08-2023