19 March 2012

Fiber of the Month: Silk

Silk is a protein fiber produced by the larvae of various moth species; it is also produced by spiders. It is a smooth, lustrous and strong fiber much desired for its light weight; 1 ounce of silk can produce a small shawl.


The information below is a summary of the presentation made by Jane and Jame at the March 15, 2012 Twisted Threads Fiber Arts Guild meeting.
References
wormspit.com
Interweave Spin-Off articles
Summer 1994.  Has many articles on silk including one on the history of sericulture in the U.S.
Spring 1997. Silk, a Spinner’s Survey.  Several articles cover spinning silk bricks to silk noil.
Winter 1999. Wild Silk, part 1.
Spring 2000. Wild Silk, part 2.
Fall 2000. Spin silk for Braiding.
Spring 2003. Silk Road to Mexico. Silk Scarves.
Spring 2004. Silk Embroidery Threads. Wool and Silk Plied.
Fall 2004. Duet for Silk Brick.
Spring 2005. Spinning a Navajo 3-ply to make crochet bead ropes using hand-painted silk.
Winter 2006. Working with silk hankies.
Fall 2007. Dyeing with hankies.
Winter 2007. Back-page essay on raising silk worms.
Summer 2009. Handspun silk ribbons.
Fall 2009. Raise your own silkworms.
Fall 2011. Spinning silk carrier rods.



Knitty articles


Brief summary of types of silk preparations available to handspinners (see also wormspit.com)
cocoons - rawest form, may or may not have the larvae removed
hankies & bells - a minimally processed cocoon that has been de-gummed and stretched over a frame
noil - silk waste leftover after combing or carding; produces a yarn with lots of texture and can be added to other fibers to add color and texture.
rods - silk that gathers on rollers during the reeling process
top - silk strands that are combed
reeled silk - premium silk reeled in a continuous strand from stifled cocoons.

Sources 
Handpainted silk top (and wool or wool/silk blends):
Dyepot.com
Miss Babs
Chasing Rainbows

Other silk:
Carolina Homespun - usually has the Louet top, along with some Eri and Muga
Little Barn - has the lowest prices for Tussah top - quality varies
Northeast Fiber Arts - noil, rods, and most species as top
Treenway Silks - lots of yarn, usually a variety of top
Webs - has the Louet top, some handpainted top
Detta's Spindle - has noil, other preparations

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