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Turkey - Village crafts
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Kas, where we stayed in September is on the coast of Turkey about half way between Marmaris and Antalya. Inland are high mountains, with fertile valleys - important for agriculture but very remote. The narrow roads snake across the mountains between the valleys - making our visit to this area for the day hair raising at times! |
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We stopped at a small house just outside one of the mountain villages. After eating a delicious lunch in the garden we were invited inside to look at the house. There were just two rooms - a bedroom used by the parents and another room used as a bedroom for the children but also as a living and dining room in the colder months of the year. |
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On the bed and over various surfaces in the house were several lovely embroideries - this beautiful cutwork and several pieces embroidered with flowers. The lady of the house had worked these as part of her dowry when she was married. |
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. Although there was little space for 'extras' in the living room on top of a cupboard was a sewing machine - a Singer very similar to the one on which I learnt to sew. This was clearly a very important item for making clothes and articles for the house. |
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The most interesting item of craftwork was this rug - yes it is knitted! Traditionally in Turkey knitting is mainly used for hats, socks and cloves, but here it was used as a rug. Knitted in garter stitch, the shape was achieved using the equivalent of holding position on the machine - similar to knitting a circular skirt. Bright, cheerful and warm in the winter, this was, in fact, one of several knitted rugs in the house. |
