ABSTRACT
The origin of carpets is unknown: in cold countries probably sheepskins were used as mats, in hot countries the skins of lions, tigers, and other animals would be early used for their beauty; in our own country rushes supplied the place even in palaces until a late period. There are six chief varieties of carpet in this country, viz. the Axminster, the Venetian, the Kidderminster, the Scotch, the Brussels, and the Wilton. The Kidderminster carpet presents an example of double-weaving or two-ply, and is produced by incorporating two sets of warp, and two of weft yarns; such are called in America in-grain carpets. The Kidderminster, or Scotch carpet, has a worsted chain and a woollen shoot, and consists of two distinct webs incorporated into each other, so as to produce the pattern. The Persian carpets are of similar make to those of Turkey, but the designs are different, and so is the colouring.
