Fiber Facts - Silk

When I was a beginning knitter and starting a new project, I generally used the yarn that was called for in the pattern and got good results. Being adventurous, though, I started pretty quickly to venture off the pattern and try using different yarns than what was recommended. Sometimes these experiments produced great results and other times, well, let's just say that a poncho that goes down to your feet makes a great blanket! During these experiments, I learned the importance of gauge - making sure that the yarn is the same size as what is called for in the pattern. I also learned the importance of choosing the right fiber. Some fibers are washable, others require a more gentle touch; Some fibers drape very well but other fibers tend to form a firmer fabric - you get the idea. I want to pass on some of the basics about fibers that can help you make good yarn choices.


Today we are going to talk about my favorite fiber: silk! It drapes beautifully, refracts the light in amazing ways, and just feels good on the skin. What else should you know about this fiber?


1. Silk fiber is harvested from the cocoons of the mulberry moth pupa (silkworms). The cocoons are cultivated to a certain stage of development, at which time they are treated with a combination of boiling and soapy water to help loosen the silk from the other material. The silk fibers are then unraveled by hand and processed to make fabric or yarn. Peace Silk, in which the pupa are not killed, is available, but at a significantly higher cost.


2. China is the highest producer of silk in the world today and is where the production of silk began.


3. Silk is shimmery because the fibers are a triangular shape, allowing the light to refract at different angles.


4. Silk has a strong tensile strength when dry, but it loses up to 20% of this strength when it become wet. This means that you have to be very careful when washing and blocking silk.

5. Silk is also not very elastic. When it stretches, it tends to stay stretched out.

6. Because silk is absorbent and light, it is a good warm-weather fiber. It is also good to wear close to the skin in cold weather because its low conductivity keeps warm air trapped.

7. Silk blends quite well with other fibers, particularly wool.

8. Silk drapes wonderfully. It is one of my favorite fibers for shawls.

9. Silk feels soft and smooth against the skin - again because of the smoothness of the fibers.

Enjoy your next adventure into the world of fiber! Now you have a little more information to help you make some good choice on that journey!