Using the technique of rolled colored pattern, a felt carpet is made, which has the original name ala kiyiz (multicolored felt). No other types of products created in this way are noted among the Kyrgyz. Felt carpets are widely and commonly used in the daily life of the Kyrgyz. The technique of rolled colored pattern in felt carpets is applied by many peoples of Central Asia, the Caucasus, and the Kazakhs, as well as by the Kyrgyz of Xinjiang.
The widespread use of felt products with rolled patterns indicates the deep traditional nature of this technical method. In everyday life, they are not long-lasting (serving for about 20-30 years).
The sizes of felt carpets among the Kyrgyz vary. They range approximately in the following proportions: from 80X160 cm to 175x390 cm, which is determined by the purpose of the carpet: it is usually spread in the yurt along the place of honor.
When describing the technique of rolling the colored pattern into the felt, it should be noted that the southern Kyrgyz use two methods of ornamentation: by laying out elongated strands of wool and by applying a cut pattern (ylbyra kesht or oymo kiyiz) made from thinly rolled colored felt.
The most common method of ornamenting felt is with elongated strands. It is known to all Kyrgyz.
Recently, cut patterns in felt carpets are made rarely, although the artistic merits of felt with such decoration are undeniable. Their patterns are clearer and more even, which is not achieved by the method of applying elongated strands (with rare exceptions of works by skilled craftswomen).
The rolling of the pattern is also done by the craftswomen in two ways. The first involves laying the pattern on top of the prepared loose wool base and, rolling it up, they begin to roll. There is a peculiar variant of this method, where the pattern is laid directly on the mat, and then wool is laid on top of it.
The other method of ornamenting felt is to lay the pattern on pre-semi-felted wool, after which the rolling process continues. This technique is widely used among the Kyrgyz. The Kazakhs also use it. S. M. Dudin observed this method in the Alai region at the beginning of the 20th century. The rolling of the pattern on already semi-felted wool is known only from the accounts of informants. Currently, among the southern Kyrgyz, the most common method is to create the pattern directly on the loose wool base; the rolling of the pattern and the pressing of the felt occur simultaneously. Kyrgyz craftswomen consider this method to be the most rational, as it ensures the strength of the patterned felt.
Rolling the rug on the mat by hand. Batken district.
Among the southern Kyrgyz, there is another way to decorate the felt carpet — rolling felt fringe (chachy) into its edges. Until recently, this was mainly done on small white prayer rugs — jaynamaz. In such cases, when laying the wool before rolling, strips of colored fluffy wool were placed between the layers at the edges.
For guiding the work on making the felt carpet, a well-known craftswoman (chever) from the village is always invited. She organizes all processes, starting from the preparation of wool (carding, dyeing, laying out, ornamenting). Usually, women participate in the making of both simple and ornamented felt. Male strength is only used in the rolling of the felt. In the Batken district, men also participate in the process of carding wool and in the ornamentation of the carpet. Often, they are even the main workers, and among them, masters of their craft stand out.