Felt is called Lameh and the Felt-maker is Lamehsou among the Tabari speakers in north of Iran. People in the western Mazandaran and those who live in the border areas between Mazandaran and Gilan pronounce it as Namat, slightly different with the Persian Language[1]. It was, also, called Namt or Nimt in the Old Persian language and during the period of the popularity of Avestan language in Iran. According to the Moein Farsi Encyclopedia, Namad (felt) is “a kind of carpet which is made of filled wool or fur being used for making rugs, hats and clothing.” There are some slangs and popular proverbs among Iranians related to the felt, like “having a felt hat” which means to profit from booty. Or you may hear that someone had a “piece of felt into the water” which means they are cheating and fooling others. The examples of these folkloric proverbs are abundant indicating the long history of this art in close relation with peoples’ daily life. In comparison to other kinds of the floorings like Kilim, Jajim, carpet and Gabbeh, the felt is far older. It is made of the pressed wool of domestic animals. 

There is no certain data on the first place of making felts, however, we are now aware of some Neolithic peoples who delt with the wool who knew the felt. The Chinese documents from 2300 millennium BC., inform us of felt-made doormat, armor and shield. There is no weaving in the process of felt making; the method has been designed based on two natural characteristics of the felt which are getting curly and flakiness. The felt makers put the felt pieces under pressure (fulling), humidity and heat in order to make the felt products. Except for some sackcloth fabrics, the only tool for making felt is the artisan’s physical power and his patience. Making felt is a day-long process. Among the popular motives of the felt in Mazandaran, we can refer to Talei, Lab Siah, Yek Gol, paisley with Haft o Hasht margins and alter felts. The interesting point about felt making is we need the same amount of wool for making felt as an equal carpet. 

[1] It pronounces by the Persian speakers as Namad.