Koshma

a felt carpet made of sheep or camel wool. Koshmas are made and widely used among peoples involved in cattle raising: in the USSR, among Kazakhs, Kirghiz, Turkmens, and Karakalpaks; abroad, among Afghans, Kurds, and other peoples. Koshmas may be simple (serving primarily to cover yurts) or ornamented. The latter are made by rolling colored wool into the Koshma background, by sewing on colored scraps, appliqués, or patterned quilting, or by embroidery. Such carpets are used for interior furnishings.