Needlework, needlepoint and knitting in Turkish culture: Artvin example

One of the important areas of Turkish culture is undoubtedly the tradition of handicrafts. The handicraft tradition, which is an accumulation of people's knowledge, skills and centuries of experience, consists of many professions. These professions, which are usually learned by seeing, imitating or as a result of master-apprentice relationship, are traditionalized through the knowledge, experiences and products that people pass on through generations. In this master's thesis, needlework, needlepoint and knitting, which are part of the handicraft tradition in many regions of the Turkish cultural ecology, are examined in the case of Artvin. The existence of humanity on earth dates back centuries. Human beings were created physically defenseless in their existence. Therefore, they needed to dress in order to protect themselves from external factors in nature. Many factors have affected clothing, which is as basic a need as nutrition and shelter. Factors such as cultural environment, geography, climate, beliefs and personal tastes are among the main factors affecting clothing. In this study, the importance of needlework, needlework and knitting, which is a product of the Turkish handicraft tradition, is examined in order to obtain an aesthetic appearance after the need for clothing is met. For this purpose, compilations were made in the Artvin region and an analysis was made based on performance theory. Artvin city, which is the sample of the research, has made a name for itself with its nature. The interaction with this nature is embodied in the motifs (such as tulip, lemon, carnation, strawberry, onion, clover and grape) in hand embroidery. In the study, information was given about the tools and techniques used in the formation of motifs that emerged for decoration. The function of dowries, which have an important place in the transfer of needle-based arts such as hand embroidery, needlework and knitting from the past to the future, is examined. The motif examples of needlework, needlework and knitting, which are among the traditional handicrafts that have become a cultural industry today with mechanization, in the Artvin region, and their continuation in this region both as a personal occupation and as a profession have been evaluated in the context of traditional knowledge.