Below are some of the different kinds of silk you can purchase for weaving.
Reeled Silk-is the finest quality of silk showcasing the sheen and lustre. It is the first product off the cocoon, the raw silk reeled out in one filament. As a result it is the strongest and most durable.
Spun Silk- is the silk filament that can not be used for the top quality reeled silk. It may include broken threads, brushed ends and leftovers. This silk is often spun with cotton or wool to produce a mixed fibre. This silk is slightly inferior to the reeled silk, as it is a bit weaker and can become fuzzy over time.
Tussah Silk -is produced from certain species of silk worms. It is valued for it's rich texture and deep golden colour.
Silk Noil- is a lower quality of silk that has some texture. It is the shorter fibres left over from the spinning silk, including some of the cocoon bits. It will often have little tufts of fibre and this can be a decorative feature. It is not as strong or durable as spun silk.
Weaving with silk is a delight. Both in viewing the project as it becomes a fabric and working with it. It seems to just flow onto the loom (warping is quick and easy).
This is a must do again. After ironing the shawl, I realized the beads can easily get tugged and pulled, so next time NO beads.
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