Silk in Hand-Knitting
Silk is one of the few protein fibres that is not from a mammal — it is the cocoon of the silkworm. Silk yarns range from gossamer lace to substantial worsted, with characteristic lustre and drape that no other fibre matches.
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Mulberry vs tussah
Mulberry silk is white, smooth, and the highest quality. Tussah silk is golden-brown, slightly textured, and less expensive. Both have characteristic lustre but mulberry takes dye more cleanly.
Drape and warmth
Silk is heavy and drapes substantially. It is warm despite its thinness — a silk shawl is warmer than a wool shawl of the same gauge. But silk has no elasticity and does not bounce back, so 100% silk garments stretch with wear.
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Blends
Silk is most commonly blended with wool, alpaca, or cashmere. The blend gains lustre and drape from the silk while retaining elasticity from the wool. 50/50 silk/merino is a popular blend for high-end shawls and lightweight sweaters.
Care
Hand-wash gently in cool water. Air-dry flat away from direct sunlight (silk yellows in UV). Silk can be ironed on the silk setting from the wrong side; use a press cloth.
Abbreviation reference
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| CYC | Craft Yarn Council |
Tips
- Use silk blends for sweaters; use 100% silk for shawls and scarves.
- Avoid direct sunlight when storing silk — UV yellows the fibre.
- Block silk lightly; aggressive blocking can shrink it.
In depth
Silk has been used in luxury textiles for thousands of years and entered hand-knitting most recently in lace and shawl weights. Its lustre is unmatched by any other fibre, which is why silk-blend lace is the standard for the most luxurious shawls in modern hand-knitting.