Ala-Kiyiz

Ala-kiyiz are traditional felt carpets from Kyrgyzstan, serving both as floor coverings and decorative wall hangings. These carpets come in various sizes, with some designed to resemble intricate pictures. The creation process involves using loose wool, which is dyed in different colors but not spun into thread or pressed into felt beforehand.

The process begins with laying out a base of one color of wool on a mat made of chiy, with a felt base stretched over it. Additional strands of colored wool are then arranged on top to form patterns or images. This layered wool mat can become several inches thick. To consolidate the wool, it is covered with cloth to prevent movement and then sprinkled with hot water. The mat is then rolled up, tied with string, and vigorously worked—rolled, kicked, and trodden on for several hours. This process melds the wool fibers into a cohesive piece. Once the mat is unrolled and dried, the colors blend together, creating a unique and distinctive appearance with softened borders between hues. This characteristic has made Ala-kiyiz particularly popular for creating «picture» panels.