Weft

The weft refers to the horizontal threads that are interlaced with the vertical warp threads during weaving. In knotted pile carpets, weft shoots are passed across the loom between rows of knots, securing them in place and contributing to the structural integrity of the foundation. Depending on the weaving tradition, a carpet may have one, two, or more weft shoots between each row of knots — a feature that influences handle, thickness, and lying quality, and can serve as a diagnostic indicator of regional origin. In flatweaves such as kilims, the weft itself forms the visible surface of the textile, making its material, count, and interlacing technique central to both the structure and the pattern.