Silk

Introduction
The ancient Chinese were credited with the discovery of silk and the
cultivation of silk worm. They were able to guard the secret of
sericulture and it took about 3,000 years for the outside world to
know anything about it. The origin of silk is shrouded in myths and
legends. According to one legend, a little Chinese princess
accidentally dropped a cocoon into a cup of tea. Later her mother
was started to find that a fine strand could be unwound from
softened cocoon.
In the third century A.D., some Chinese maidens, who were
sericulture experts, were mysteriously kidnapped and carried
through Korea and Japan, where they instructed the people of the
court and later Japanese craftsmen who soon produced silk quickly
and scientifically.
Silk is continuous protein filament extruded by silk worm. It
possesses all the desirable properties of a textile fibre. It is solidified
protein produced by certain caterpillars which will encase
themselves in the form of cocoon.

Types of Silk

MULBERRY SILK As the name indicates, are produced by worms

which feed on mulberry leaves. Most gorgeous and fabulous silk
materials are produced out of this variety. Sarees from
Kancheepuram, Kashmir, Baranasi and Mysore belong to this variety.
TASSAR SILK A tribal variety silkworm is raised in forest trees of
Sai, Arjun and Asan. Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Orissa are the
principal Tassar-producing States, accounting over 90 percent of the
total production. Clothings made out this variety have a Dry Look.
They have the subdued brilliance of morning sun.
ERI SILK It is produced from philosammia ricini worms found
extensively in Eastern India, part of China and South East Asia. The
Eri culture extends up to an altitude of 1500 meters in the hills and is
practiced in temperatures varying from 12Cin winter to 37C in
summer with a humidity of 80 to 100%. Eri worms are reared indoors.
MUGA SILK It is produced only in the north-eastern region of India.
This golden Yellow silk is produced by a Muga worm. This variety is
cultured mostly in the Brahmaputra Valley.The worm feeds on Som
and Soalu leaves and produces a golden yellow silk.

Silk Production
Major silk producing countries in the world today
are: Japan, China, Soviet Union, India, Italy,
South Korea, Turkey, Iran, Brazil, Spain, France,
Sicily, Syria and Austria.

Uses
Silk prevents body heat from radiating outward
and hence it is desirable for winter apparel. Silk
yarn is used to produce such sheer fabric as
georgette, taffeta, organdy and grenadine. Spun
silk is used for shantung and pile fabrics, for
dress trimmings, linings, and elastic webbing
and for velvets for umbrella fabrics and for
insulative material. Wild silk fabrics are durable
and have a coarse irregular surface. Typical
fabrics are shantung, tussah and pongee.

The End