Natural Grey Chobi Kilim Rug
This natural grey Chobi Kilim rug is a hand woven Kilim made in Afghanistan in wool and measures 310 x 257 cm. A lattice of diamond medallions fills a framed field in soft grey, taupe and cream, joined by stepped hooks, and a wide grey border of small diamonds and triangles surrounds it.
The design up close
The diamonds are outlined with stepped hooks that link each one to the next. Some diamonds carry a small dark centre and others are plain, so the lattice shifts in tone from light grey to dark taupe across the field.
In this natural grey Chobi Kilim rug, a narrow dark frame sits around the field, with a thin cream line inside it. The outer border is wider and lighter, with rows of small diamonds, triangles and steps in grey and cream. Across the top and bottom, a strip of zigzags and small diamonds runs along the edge, and fringe finishes both ends.
The stepped hooks run in diagonal lines, so the lattice appears to move across the rug rather than sit still.
Afghan weaving and Chobi designs
Afghanistan has a long weaving tradition. Chobi rugs are known for soft, natural tones, and many follow Ziegler designs, large-scale patterns first made in the Sultanabad (Arak) district from the 1880s for European and American buyers. The soft greys and creams of this natural grey Chobi Kilim rug fit that description, but its pattern is a tribal diamond lattice rather than a Ziegler design.
Its grey palette pairs easily with timber, concrete or white walls, and it sits calmly beside plain fabrics.
What makes a Kilim different
A Kilim is flat woven. The weaver passes coloured weft threads over and under the warp threads to build the pattern, with no knots and no pile. That is why the rug lies flat, and why its diamonds and hooks show the weave itself.
Sizing this natural grey Chobi Kilim rug
At 310 x 257 cm the rug covers about 8.0 square metres. In a large living room it takes a full lounge setting. A three-seat sofa of around 2.2 m leaves about 45 cm of rug showing past each end, and two armchairs can rest their front legs on the rug around a coffee table.
Under a dining table of about 240 x 100 cm, which seats eight, this natural grey Chobi Kilim rug leaves roughly 35 cm at each end and 78.5 cm along each side, enough room for the chairs to slide back.
Pull the chairs out fully when you test the layout in the showroom, so you can see whether their back legs stay on the rug.
Looking after this natural grey Chobi Kilim rug
Shake the rug outdoors on a dry day now and then to loosen dust from the weave, and vacuum the fringe gently.
Vacuum both sides on a suction-only setting, or with the beater bar switched off. Use a non-slip underlay, because a light flat weave can creep on timber or tiles. Turn it around every six to twelve months so foot traffic wears it evenly, and blot spills with cold water and a clean white cloth. For a full clean, choose a cleaner who washes handmade rugs by hand.
Moths like wool in dark, quiet spots, so vacuum under furniture often and lift the rug now and then.
See it before you buy
Visit our showroom at 307 Penshurst St, North Willoughby, open every day from 11 am to 4:30 pm, to see this natural grey Chobi Kilim rug in person. If you would rather judge it in your own room, with your own light and furniture, book an in-home viewing and we will bring a selection to you.
Browse more Chobi Rugs, or ask about a custom made rug in your own size and colour. Read more about kilims.
