Silk Hankies and Mawata for Spinning into Yarn
Silk hankies (also called mawata) are flat squares of silk produced by stretching a silk cocoon over a frame. They can be drafted into a singles yarn directly by hand, producing a unique slubby, lustrous yarn.
What they are
A silk hankie is the cocoon of a silkworm, opened and stretched over a square frame. The result is a thin, flat sheet of silk fibres, with each cocoon producing one layer.
Drafting into yarn
Pull a single layer off the stack. Punch a hole in the centre with a finger. Stretch the layer outward until it is the desired thickness, then twist as you knit. The result is a singles yarn with no spinning equipment required.
Knitting characteristics
The drafted yarn is slubby (varies in thickness), lustrous, and very strong. Slipperiness can make it tricky to knit; a wool yarn held alongside helps with grip.
Best uses
Small luxury projects: fingerless mitts, neck warmers, beaded bracelets. The unique texture and lustre make even a small piece visually striking.
Abbreviation reference
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| MC | main colour |
Tips
- Hold a wool yarn alongside the silk for easier knitting.
- Stretch the hankie progressively thinner for a finer yarn.
- Plan small projects — drafting silk hankies is slow.
In depth
Silk hankies are one of the most distinctive fibre preparations in hand-knitting. The combination of hand-drafting and direct knitting produces a yarn unlike any commercially-spun silk — slubby, lustrous, and unique to each project.