Faryab Kilims

Faryab kilims are woven with a tighter, finer weave than most, so their stripes, diamonds and lattices come out crisp in everything from soft pastels to bright multicolour.

Faryab is a province in Afghanistan's north, with Maimana as its capital, and its weaving draws on the Uzbek, Turkmen and Afghan communities who live across its towns and villages. Women weave most of these kilims, working family patterns by hand so each one carries her own variations. The close weave gives bands, stepped diamonds and lattices sharp, clean edges. They're handwoven from Ghazni wool, and most are newly woven, with a few vintage pieces too.

With no pile, a Faryab kilim is light, reversible and lies flat under doors. The runners suit hallways and kitchens, and the quieter, minimal designs work well in a contemporary room or layered over sisal.