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Last modified on
August 10, 2010

 

100% Silk: Mulberry, Soft Spun, Tussah, Raw
Bio and Trendy Blends, Stretch Silk


Silkworms, Wild Fibers Magazine Spring 2010
Silkworms © Linda N. Cortright, Wild Fibers Magazine, Spring 2010.

Silk fiber is the protein excretion of silkworms, spiders, or other insects. It is used by them to build their cocoons, webs, etc. In general, silk fiber can be divided in two categories: domesticated and wild. Domesticated silk is produced by the Bombix moths, which feed on mulberry trees. Wild silk is usually considered as the excretion of an Antheraea moth fed on oak and other trees. Silk production, or Sericulture, has a long and colorful history unknown to most people. Pliny, the Roman historian, wrote in his Natural History in 70 BC: "Silk was obtained by removing the down from the leaves with the help of water." The first description of silk making in Europe was printed in the 35 volumes of Denis Diderot's Encyclopédie.

For more than two thousand years the Chinese kept the secret of silk - it was the most zealously guarded secret in world history. The key to understanding the great mystery and magic of silk, lies with one species: the blind, flightless moth, Bombyx mori. The silkworm of this particular moth produces a thread whose filament is smoother, finer and rounder than that of other silk moths. Silk yarn can be either releed or spun. Reeled silk, or filament silk, is the highest quality yarn, it is very white and shiny.

Mulberry Silk is a very luxurious, domesticated silk fiber. It makes a very strong and lustrous yarn with a wonderful drape. Silk is very receptive to dyes and will retain its luster after dyeing. Because of its long length, a yarn can be spun very fine if desired. - Peace of Yarn
Tussah (Tasar) Silk is a thread from wild silkworms. There are many indigenous varieties of wild silk moths found in a number of different countries. Whether or not they are reared in the tropics, the leaves they eat contain tannin - the ingredient in tea that leaves a stain in your cup. The natural colour of Tussah silk is a warm honey beige, and "..silk produced by wild silkworms is stronger than steel..". Tussah is a coarse silk, and is mainly used for furnishings and interiors. Oak Tasar is a finer variety of Tussah silk.
Golden Muga or Assam silk production is centered in Sualkuchi, and is a labor intensive industry. The detailed information about Muga and Eri Silks, including history and step-by-step production, is available in Fall 2009 issues of Wild Fibers Magazine.
• There are also Pat silk, Spider Silk or Gossamer, Thai silk, Silk Latte made of MILK! Art silks or " fake silks" are used in mass knitwear and yarn production: viscose, tencel, rayon.

For more information about sericulture, please follow the links:
History of SericultureHistory of SilkSericulture in picturesIndia Silk
Department of Sericulture, Shivaji University, India


Silk Knits or 20 Designs in Fabulous Fibers, including Möbius, lace shell, shell with sequins, eyelet-yoke pullover, Sicilian pullover, vests, a circle vest, shawls, jackets, a shrug, poncho, a scarf and hat, as well as a Short History of Sericulture, and swatching with different types of silk (sizes S - XL).
Luxury Knitting by Linda Morse. The ultimate guide to exquisite yarns: cashmere, silk, merino, and their blends. Learn how and when the luxury yarn-producing creatures thrive as well as who tried to cultivate them and failed. Those seeking to learn about the best yarns will benefit from the experience of the author. Valuable tips on knitting and caring, and patterns for each of these types of yarn are included.
 
Silk Knits, 20 Designs in Fabulous Fibers, Elaine Eskensen
Luxury Knitting by Linda Morse


100% MULBERRY SILK, Releed 70/30 SILK-Cotton Ribbon 100% SILK TOP, Soft Spun 100% Stretch SILK 100% TUSSAH (Tasar) SILK


100% Silk, Makalu
100% Raw Silk, Estelle
Baco, Lana Grossa
Seta, Lang
  Silk, Lang
Silk Dream, Lang
Silky Cashmere, Makalu
Content of Silk ≤ 30%:
Cadenza Paint (Tussah)
Mohair Luxe
Paca de Seda
Silk Road Aran

Bamboo Silk >>
Artificial Silk >>

Mulberry, Tussah, Schappe

Lang Seta
  SETA by Lang
FIBRE: 100% Mulberry Silk
YARN WEIGHT: Double Knit
TENSION: 25 sts / 36 rows
NEEDLES: 3.5 - 4 mm (US No.5-6)
LENGTH: approx. 120 m / 132 yds
HANK WEIGHT: 50g
* machine wash | made in Italy natural

Lang Silk
  SILK by Lang
FIBRE: 98% Mulberry Silk, 2% Elité
YARN WEIGHT: Aran or Fancy
TENSION: 22 sts / 28 rows
NEEDLES: 4.25 - 5 mm (US No.7-8)
LENGTH: approx. 78 m / 83 yds
HANK WEIGHT: 25g
* machine wash | made in Italy natural

Silk yarn
  100% SILK by Makalu
FIBRE: 100% Mulberry Silk Top Soft Spun
YARN WEIGHT: Aran
TENSION: 16 sts / 20 rows
NEEDLES: knit tight on 4 - 4.25 mm (US No.6)
LENGTH: approx. 142 m / 157 yds
HANK WEIGHT: 100g (3.5oz)
* hand wash | made in China natural


Natural Blends

Lana Grossa Baco
  BACO by Linea Rossa
FIBRE: 70% Mulberry Silk, 30% Cotton
YARN WEIGHT: Aran or Fancy
TENSION: 10x10 (4"): 18 sts / 26 rows
NEEDLES: recommended 4.5 mm (US No.7)
LENGTH: approx. 120 m / 128 yards
BALL WEIGHT: 50g
* hand wash | made in Italy natural

Silky Cashmere
  SILKY CASHMERE Aran by Makalu
FIBRE: 55% Mulberry Silk, 45% Cashmere
YARN WEIGHT: Aran
TENSION: 10x10cm (4"): 16 sts / 22 rows
NEEDLES: 4.5 - 5 mm (US No.7-8)
LENGTH: 40 m / 44 yards
HANK WEIGHT: 25g
* hand wash | made in China natural

Lang Silk Dream
  SILK DREAM by Lang
FIBRE: 50% Mulberry Silk, 50% Merino extra fine
YARN WEIGHT: Aran
TENSION: 10x10cm (4"): 18 sts / 26 rows
NEEDLES: 5 - 5.5 mm (US No.8-9)
LENGTH: approx. 90 m / 99 yards
HANK WEIGHT: 50g
* hand wash | made in Italy natural

Lana Grossa Cool Wool Seta
  New Item
COOL WOOL SETA by Lana Grossa
FIBRE: 30% Silk, 70% Merino Wool [sample]
YARN WEIGHT: Double Knit
TENSION: 10x10cm (4"): 22 sts / 28 rows
NEEDLES: 3.5 - 4 mm (US No. 5-6)
LENGTH: approx. 140 m / 158 yds
BALL WEIGHT: 50g
* machine wash | made in Italy

Lang Mohair Luxe
  MOHAIR LUXE by Lang
FIBRE: 23% Silk, 77% Superkid Mohair
YARN WEIGHT: Lace
TENSION: 10x10cm (4"): 22 sts / 36 rows
NEEDLES: 3 - 3.5 mm (US No.2-4)
LENGTH: approx. 175 m / 189 yds
BALL WEIGHT: 25g
* hand wash | made in Italy natural

Estelle Cadenza
  CADENZA Paint by Estelle
FIBRE: 20% Tussah Silk, 80% Superwash Merino Wool
YARN WEIGHT: Sport
TENSION: 10x10 (4"): 30 sts / 36 rows
NEEDLES: 2.5 - 3.5 mm (US No.0-1)
LENGTH: approx. 350 m / 409 yards
BALL WEIGHT: 100g
* machine wash | made in Peru natural

Alpaca Silk
  PACA de SEDA by The Alpaca Yarn Co.
FIBRE: 20% Mulberry Silk, 80% Alpaca Superfine
YARN WEIGHT: Heavy Worsted / Aran
TENSION: 4 sts = 1"
NEEDLES: 4.5 - 5 mm (US No.8)
LENGTH: approx. 86 m / 92 yards
BALL WEIGHT: 50g
* hand wash | made in Peru natural

Jo Sharo Silk Road Aran
  SILK ROAD ARAN by Jo Sharp
FIBRE: 10% Silk, 85% Wool, 5% Cashmere
YARN WEIGHT: Aran
TENSION: 10x10cm (4"): 18 sts / 24 rows
NEEDLES: 5 mm (US No. 8)
LENGTH: approx. 85 m / 93 yards
BALL WEIGHT: 50 g
* hand wash | made in Italy natural


Organzine Silk

100% Raw Silk, Organzine
  SILK by Estelle
FIBRE: 100% Raw Silk
YARN WEIGHT: Aran
TENSION: 18 sts / 24 rows
NEEDLES: 4.25 - 4.5 mm (US No.6-7)
LENGTH: approx. 95 m / 106 yds
HANK WEIGHT: 50g
* hand wash | made in Italy natural

 

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