Silk: Difference between revisions
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'''Silk''' is the finely [[woven]] [[thread]] of the '[[silk worm]]' - a caterpillar (''Bombyx mori'' is the most common species, but there are others) that produces silk while building its cocoon in preparation for pupation. |
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The thread is taken from the cocoon before the moth fully passes through the chrysalis phase. This process kills the moth, so obviously not every chrysalis is taken. |
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The colour of the silk depends on what the caterpillars were fed. They require green leaves, and are generally fed on [[mulberry]] leaves which give a very pale blonde or white, depending on species. If the diet is supplemented with rose petals, the thread can come out with a pink tinge. |
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High-quality silk is reeled rather than [[spun]]; the individual fibers are lifted out of a hot water bath to form threads. Generally only the waste silk from broken cocoons is spun. |
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[[Velvet]] was made from silk. |
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=== External Links === |
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* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silk |
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* http://www.dharmatrading.com/silk_fabrics.html |
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[[category:Fabric]] |
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