Blue Turkmen tribal style runner

This blue Turkmen tribal style runner is a real eye-catcher. It features exquisite colour combinations, boasting a light blue field along with rust-terracotta, deep navy, cream, as well as hints of orange, green and brown. 

The design of this Turkmen runner is a statement. It shows a tribal style of three prominent medallions separated by octagonal emblems containing star-flowers.  

Where you can use this blue Turkmen tribal style runner in your home

Measuring 196x70cm or 6'5x2'4, this short Afghan runner is a handy size that can be placed in numerous locations around the house.

Due to the runner shape, this rug is ideal for use in hallways and corridors. However, because this is a short runner it's size makes it less restrictive. You could use this Turkmen runner in a bedroom, kitchen, in a dining room alongside the table, or even position it in a living room. 

Find out what this Turkmen short runner is made from

This short blue runner is made from traditional rug making materials. It has a woollen pile and cotton warp threads. 

The pile is made from Afghan wool, which is well regarded for its quality and its durability.

The cotton warp threads are the foundations of the runner rug. These are the long strings of cotton that are attached onto the loom before the weaver starts creating the rug. Each of these strands of cotton run the entire length of the runner, and they are the yarns upon which the knots are secured.

How this tribal style runner was made

This Afghan Turkmen runner was handmade by ancient carpet making techniques that have been tried and trusted for generations. From it's tribal past, Afghanistan has a rich heritage of carpet making. 

The woollen pile that forms the beautiful colours and interesting patterns of this runner was hand-knotted. This is an age-old method which is time-consuming, but the result makes the effort worthwhile. Each and every tuft of pile is formed from a knot, hand-tied onto pairs of warp threads. The weaver will tie the knots in rows, knotting from one side of the loom to the other. Following the completion of a line of knots, the weaver threads weft yarns between the warps, which are then compacted closely to the line of knots. As you can imagine, this is repeated again and again until the rug is completed. 

The weaver works to a drawn-out plan, and all of the different coloured knots that were meticulously tied combine to form the pattern of the rug. 

An extra feature of this Turkmen runner that you might notice is that in between where the pile finishes and the fringes start, there is a small band of plain flat weave (this is a terracotta colour). This section of flat weaving on the ends of the runner is a traditionally usual way that Turkmen rugs are finished. 

Consider adding a Rug Underlay to use with this runner

It is a wise choice to use an anti-slip rug underlay with a small runner like this piece.

A rug underlay will help keep this runner looking neat and in place. It will also help prevent uneven wear and more importantly stop you (or your guests) from slipping on it.

Key details:

• Country of origin: Afghanistan
• Size: 196×70cm / 6’5″x2’4″ 
• Thickness: 7mm
• Pile: Wool, hand-knotted
• Warp: Cotton
• Age: New