Information

Just to be clear: I am NOT a silk expert. I am a weaver who loves silk. This is just what I have learned about silk in a short period of time.

There are two main categories of silk: cultivated and wild. Cultivated silk is Mulberry Silk created by the bombyx mori moth. This moth has been completely domesticated and cannot live without human intervention. This is why it is called "cultivated."

Wild silk comes in three varieties: Tussah Silk, Eri Silk and Muga Silk. These are all made by moths that remain either completely or partially wild because they will not propagate in domestication. Tussah Silk is made by the Antheraea genus moth (different species of the same moth in different areas). Eri Silk is made by the samia ricini moth. Muga Silk is made by the Antheraea assamensis moth.

A note about Eri Silk: the samia ricini moth does not build a cocoon with a continuous strand of silk like the bombyx mori moth (Mulberry) does. Eri cocoons have a built-in open door. This open door does not mean that the pupa inside will live. That pupa is, from what I have been reading, a good source of nutrition for humans and animals. I watched a documentary in which an artisan silk producer mentioned eating them with a cold beer. Give that one a thought....

Mulberry Silk is very light in color, naturally. It has a high sheen to it. Practically glowing in the light. It is strong and takes dye beautifully.

Eri Silk is like the silk version of the softest wool you've ever worked with. It has a light sheen, usually comes carded (although combed Eri is also available) and slightly slubby. It makes beautiful laces that are dreamy soft on the skin.

Tussah silk is naturally a medium café latte in color. It is a little fuzzy and super soft. It is rich and elegant in anything you add it to. I love the natural color but it does take dye well. I've tried indigo and it came out so beautifully that it invoked tears of joy.