Silk, a mysterious material with an almost mythical status. People have been wearing this fabric as luxury clothing for thousands of years. Its comfort makes it beloved all over the world.
It’s almost a miracle that such a small insect can create such a beautiful product. The silkworm has been cultivated for centuries for the production of textiles. We all know that this special thread is made from the silkworm’s cocoon. As soon as the cocoon is ready—but before the butterfly emerges—humans intervene by killing the caterpillar. The cocoon undergoes a special treatment, and the thread is unwound. Several of these threads are wound together to form yarn. Unwinding the filaments is very precise work, because the filaments can break easily. The quality of the yarn is determined by weather conditions. Hot, humid air results in poor quality; dry, cooler air ensures a good product.
Types of Silk
Not all the threads in a cocoon are the same. Reel silk is made from the long threads in the center of the cocoon. Chappe silk is made from the shorter threads in the inner and outer parts of the cocoon. Bourette silk is made from the waste remnants of the cocoon.
Features
Chemically speaking, silk is very similar to wool. Both consist mainly of proteins, but unlike wool, silk fibers are smooth (they have no crimp) and lack a scaly structure, which gives them a beautiful sheen. Silk is the finest of all natural fibers. It has many user-friendly properties and, in addition to clothing, is also used for bedding, stuffing for comforters, and, in the past, even for parachutes.
Silk thread is both strong and elastic. You can stretch a strand to one-fifth of its original length before it breaks. What’s remarkable is that silk fabrics generate little to no static electricity (which is ideal in the winter). Silk—and wild silk in particular—can absorb a lot of moisture (up to 40%) without the fabric feeling damp. It also has isothermal properties, which make it feel cool in warm weather and comfortably warm in cold weather. Ideal for both winter and summer clothing.
Knitting and Crocheting
Knitting or crocheting with silk yarn is pure luxury. The yarn is often blended with other materials, such as mohair, cotton, or Viscose. When blended with mohair, the yarn takes on a fluffy texture and is extra warm. Silk yarn blended with Viscose or Cotton is extra soft and has a beautiful sheen. Lana Grossa Linea Pura Soloseta is made from 100% bourette silk and has a matte, natural look.
You can find our collection of silk knitting and Crochet Yarn here:
