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Last modified on
January 5, 2012

 

100% SILK TOP, Soft Spun
Enlarge
 
Makalu 100% Silk,
made in China, hand painted in Canada

natural

This singles yarn is a handspun monofilament made of cultivated silk top, which is soft (loosely) spun, similarly to Icelandic wool. It is uniform in shape, shiny, super soft and elastic, and is slightly twisted for better pilling resistance. It drapes exceptionally well, and is not crunchy (tightly twisted, plied spun silks are crunchy to the touch). This silk yarn is available in a natural shiny white colour and hand painted shades. Because all silks are extremely versatile, they are warm in winter and cool in summer (don't forget to think of the seasons when making a silk garment). We would recommend this yarn for summer articles. Very gentle hand wash is recommended to avoid pilling.

Known facts: • Silk is one of the greenest fibers in the world because of the specific silk production (there are only a few chemical fertilizers that can be used on mulberry plants). Silk works up into garments that are best worn close to the skin, like camisoles. Also, Silk and human skin have a similar protein composition that makes silk very comfortable to wear even close to the skin. [Silk fiber, source: Color Works (The Crafter's Guide to Color) by Deb Menz.] • Although silk is a very strong and elastic fiber, it stretches. The softer the hand of the silk, the more prone it is to stretching. Knit tightly, using smaller needle sizes (3.25 - 3.75 mm). Plain, or designs in textured patterns are suitable, tight cables are great.

Hint: "Feel the silk as you wind it into a ball; it's elastic. The give and stretching you have when knitting with silk is one of the many reasons to work with this fabulous fiber. Be aware that when it's knitted into a garment, it can lose its shape and stretch out. However, the fabric will come back when blocked. Since silk has a reputation for losing its shape, keep this in mind when knitting a garment. You might want to go down a needle size so the gauge is firmer. Making a garment a little shorter than if you were using wool will allow for some stretch as it grows." - source: E. Eskensen, "Silk Knits"

* Similar yarn: Silk Bouclé, Seta

FIBRE: 100% Mulberry Silk Top, Soft Spun
YARN WEIGHT: Heavy Worsted/Aran
TENSION: 16 sts / 20 rows
NEEDLES: tight knit on 4 - 4.25 mm (US No.6)
LENGTH: approx. 142 m / 157 yds
SKEIN WEIGHT: 100g (3.5oz)
Knitted Sample
PATTERNS: Silk Knits
Sample patterns for silk
Price: $23.99 /Natural and Paints, $19.99 /Semi-Solids
IN STOCK: undyed: 913 Natural White; hand painted: 903 Terrestrial, 907 Iridescent (3 skeins), 911 Divine (3 skeins), semi-solids: 902 Blue (3 skeins), 04 Emerald (2 skeins)

Request colour description or quantity »
Makalu Yarns Index »


Colour:
Quantity:
Colour:
Quantity:
100% SILK SOFT SPUN, 903 Terrestrial 903, Terrestrial
(Azure-Ocean-Slate-Marine-Evergeen-Moss-Khaki-Mocha-Coffee Rich)
  100% SILK SOFT SPUN, 907 Iridescent 907, Iridescent
(Brilliant Yellow-Gold-Peach-Apricot-Pink-Blossom-Baby Pink-Lavender-Violet-Lavender Mauve)
* 3 skeins
100% SILK SOFT SPUN, 911 Divine 911, Divine
(Red-Gold-Tangerine-Dates -Burnished Gold -Milk Chocolate)
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* 3 skeins
  100% SILK SOFT SPUN, 913 Natural White 913, Natural White
(Snow, Winter White, Bleached)
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100% SILK SOFT SPUN, 902 Blue 902, Blue /hand painted, semi-solid (tone-on-tone)
* 3 skeins
  100% SILK SOFT SPUN, 904 Emerald 904, Emerald /hand painted, semi-solid (tone-on-tone)
* 2 skeins knitted sample

 


Yarn Name Index »
Yarn Weight Index »
Yarn Price Index »
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Silk Knitwear, Slip-Stitch Vest by Elaine Eskensen
Slip-Stitch Vest, © Elaine Eskensen, book "Silk Knits". Enlarge. Yarn: Fiesta La Luz [100% Silk], hand paints.

More patterns for 100% Silk:
Ajoure Pullover, Vyazanie No. 8/2008; yarn: Silka [100% Silk]
Ajoure Top, Vyazanie No. 8/2008; yarn: Silka [100% Silk]
Long Sweater with Stripes, Sandra 03/2009; yarn: Schulana Seta Bella [100% Silk]

 

Trio of Silk Pillows by Linda Morse
Trio of Pillows, © Linda Morse, book Luxury Knitting. Enlarge. Yarn: Classic Elite Temptation [100% Silk]

 

Garment Care
Soak your silk garment 1-2 hours in the sink with lavender wash or any other woolwash "no rinse". Do not agitate as this can cause pilling. Before lifting the garment out, drain the sink, and very gently squeeze the garment to remove excess water using a towel or a piece of cotton cloth. Dry flat on a towel, pulling the garment into correct shape. Store silk knitwear flat in a storage bags for extra protection against pilling and stretching. Do not hang silk knitwear on hangers. Iron with a damp cloth, press lightly just to steam the garment.

 

 

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