Silk

Silk is a natural protein fiber, some forms of which can be woven or knitted into textiles. The protein fiber of silk is composed mainly of fibroin (75-80%) and a smaller coating of sericin (20-25%). It is most commonly produced from the cocoons of certain insect larvae.

The best-known silk is obtained from the cocoons of the larvae of the mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori, which are reared in captivity (sericulture).
The shimmery appearance of silk is due to the triangular prism-like structure of the silk fiber, which causes silk cloth to refract incoming light at different angles, thus producing different colors.

Back to Fibres & Yarns →

Source: Wikipedia · Image: Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0

PLABRIC

The science of fabric, made practical — plain-English guides to fibers, weaves, and finishes, plus the textile calculators every maker, sourcing pro, and mill floor needs.

Get new guides by emailOccasional emails. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

InformationAbout Contact Privacy Policy Terms of Service Disclaimer Affiliate Disclosure Cookie Policy

Every species, image, fact, and figure is drawn from Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons, used under public-domain and Creative Commons licenses. No content is AI-generated.