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February 8, 2012
100% Silk: Mulberry, Tussah, Spun-Silk,
Stretch Silk
Spider Silk, Natural Blends
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Silk fiber is the protein excretion of silkworms, spiders, or other insects. It is used by them to build their cocoons, webs, etc. The silk's amino acids composition is close to that of human skin. Pure silk is time-resistant, smooth unlike wool or cotton, hygienic, non-allergenic. As all luxury fibers, it is produced in very small quantities (less than 0.2% of overall textile fiber production). In general, silk fiber can be divided in two categories: domesticated and wild. Domesticated silk is produced by the Bombix mori moths, which feed on mulberry trees.
Wild silk is usually considered as the excretion of an Antheraea moth fed on oak and other trees. India is the wold's largest producer of wild silk.
According to Confucius, the discovery of silk goes back to 2640 BC: "A Chinese princess was drinking tea in a mulberry garden when a cocoon dropped into her cup. The hot tea dissolved the hard outer layer of the cocoon. In trying to extract it with her long fingernails, she discovered that the cocoon contained a continuous filament." - Reference: Robert R. Franck, "Silk, Mohair, Cashmere and Other Luxury Fibres". 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. Today, a single silk cocoon can yield up to 1600 m of continuous filament (from 100 to 150 m - in ancient times). 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 (Mullabary) 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. It can be either releed or spun. Because of its long length, a yarn can be spun very fine if desired. - Reference: 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, Anjali Silk, Ghicha Silk, Katie Silk, etc. Art silks or " fake silks" are used in mass knitwear and yarn production: viscose, tencel, rayon and other varieties.
For more information about sericulture, please follow the links:
• History of Sericulture • History of Silk • Sericulture in pictures • India 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).
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100% Soft-Spun Silk, Makalu
100% Silk Bourette, Estelle
Baby Silk Lace, Estelle
Baco, Lana Grossa
Merino Seta, Lana Grossa
Mulberry, Louisa Harding 
Mulberry Hand Beaded
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Mulberry Merino, Diamond
Seta, Lang
Silk, Lang
Silk Boucle, Makalu
Silk Dream, Lang
Silky Cashmere, Makalu
Yuzen, Noro
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Luxury with content of Silk ≤ 23%: ‹ Cadenza Paint, Estelle ‹ Mohair Luxe, Lang ‹ Nadeshiko, Noro ‹ Paca de Seda, AYCo. ‹ Silk Road Aran, Jo Sharp |
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Bamboo Silk »
Sugarcane Viscose »
Artificial Silk »
100% Mulberry, Schappe
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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 
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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
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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
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SILK BOUCLÉ by Makalu FIBRE: 100% Mulberry Silk YARN WEIGHT: Heavy Worsted TENSION: 10x10cm (4"): 22 sts / 28 rows NEEDLES: 4.25 - 4.5 mm (US No. 6-7) LENGTH: approx. 176 m / 184 yds SKEIN WEIGHT: 100g * hand wash | made in China
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100% Tussah, Blends
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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
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