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August 10, 2010
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100% Silk: Mulberry, Soft Spun, Tussah, Raw
Bio and Trendy Blends, Stretch Silk
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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. 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 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).
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.
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100% Silk, Makalu
100% Raw Silk, Estelle
Baco, Lana Grossa
Seta, Lang
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Silk, Lang
Silk Dream, Lang
Silky Cashmere, Makalu
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Content of Silk ≤ 30%: • Cadenza Paint (Tussah) • Mohair Luxe • Paca de Seda • Silk Road Aran |
Bamboo Silk >>
Artificial Silk >>
| Mulberry, Tussah, Schappe |
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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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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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Natural Blends |
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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
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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
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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
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COOL WOOL SETA by Lana GrossaFIBRE: 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 |
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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
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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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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
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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
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Organzine Silk
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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
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