Suzani Textiles

I have just recently learned that this type of embroidered textiles are called Suzani.

Suzani is a type of decorative tribal textile made in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries. The name Suzani originates from the Persian language where suzan means needle.

The art of making suzani textiles employs a cotton or a silk base, which is then embroidered in silk or cotton thread.

The primary use of a suzani was within the yurt, as a protective wrapping panel for textiles and belongings, but they were also used as prayer mats, bed sheets, for sitting, etc.

Suzanis were traditionally made by brides and their mothers as part of their dowry and they were presented to the groom and his family on the wedding day. They mostly represent symbols of luck, health, longevity and fertility.

There is a beautiful text on the history of Suzani here.

Inspired by these, I am trying to make a Suzani in crochet. We’ll see how that turns out 🙂