Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
4th International Turkic World Congress on Social, Humanities, Administrative, and Educational Sciences, Baku, Azerbaycan, 7 - 09 Kasım 2025, ss.192-205, (Tam Metin Bildiri)
Sock knitting, produced and used in traditional life, is a traditional folk art form developed with cultural motifs and unique techniques, used as a complementary accessory to men's and women's clothing, particularly in various regions of Anatolia, the Caucasus, Central Asia, and Europe. It is shaped and practiced in accordance with the unique cultural values of the region. Hand-knitted socks, with their regional motifs, colors, surface compositions, and knitting techniques, are not only worn as garments but also serve as important tools of non-verbal expression. Hand-knitted socks and sock knitting, a significant part of folk culture in many regions of Anatolia and Thrace, are known as a significant cultural treasure, encompassing their materials, production methods, colors, motifs, usage,and users. Although their materials, forms, and intended uses share similar characteristics, hand-knitted socks, with their motifs and colors shaped by the cultural values of their respective regions and regions, carry significant cultural differences and are considered geographical indications that can be used as a regional signature. Among the traditional Turkish folk arts, socks, known locally as "çalikli socks," are produced using a unique knitting technique in the Hemşin district of Rize province, in the Black Sea region, and represent local traditions and customs. A prominent feature of the local folk clothing worn in Rize-Hemşin is the colorful hand-knitted socks, adorned with distinctive motifs. The special technique used in the production of Rize-Hemşin Çalikli socks, along with their motifs and compositional features, has led to their geographical indication status. Çalikli socks stand out not onlyas articles of clothing but also as a significant asset of cultural heritage that can be passed on to the future.
This study was planned and conducted to examine the technical and aesthetic characteristics, as well as the usage patterns, of Çalikli socks from the Hemşin region of Rize province. The research was conducted and evaluated using a screening method, aiming to reach concepts and relationships that could explain the collected data. All data obtained in the study were interpreted using qualitative data analysis, and a conclusion was reached. To achieve this aim, the researchers examined the "çalikli" sock knitting art, still in production in Rize-Hemşin, in the Eastern Black Sea region. It was classified in terms of compositional characteristics created by the use of regional motifs, included within the scope of the research, and examined using the systematic approach required by the field. To obtain the research data, semi-structured interviews were conducted with informants to obtain information about the raw materials, knitting techniques, and motifs used in sock knitting. The examined socks were documented through photography, grouped accordingly, and analyzed in conjunction with relevant literature to address the research objectives.
Keywords: Hand-knitting, socks, Rize/Hemşin, çalikli, tradition