Silk Cocoons, Yarn Choices, and Free Stuff

re: Silk Cocoons, Yarn Choices, and Free Stuff

Moonechild — Fri, 09 May 2008 01:38:45 GMT

Silk tops are the silk around the cocoon that is unwound-shiny, luscious; while the Tussah is the silk after the moth has escaped. It looks and feels like cotton/silk mix. Unless it says tussah or peace silk it probably is the silk tops yarn

re: Silk Cocoons, Yarn Choices, and Free Stuff

CelesteM — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 20:02:21 GMT

Hope you feel better.

cute free pattern, but can I wear a bra with that?? So many sweet summer tanks, so few are wearable.

re: Silk Cocoons, Yarn Choices, and Free Stuff

SharonM — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 07:11:15 GMT

As a newbie, today's post answered some questions for me - ie. is it okay to comment on past posts? I really enjoyed the spinning posts. They got me motivated to ask an e-friend about it and I'm going to try a drop spindle, but look for a wheel on sale. There are 2 S&W groups nearby, so she thinks somebody will be trading up and I can get a good beginner wheel. I'm also finding the silk topic fascinating; I've only made 1 silk sweater- a nubbly sort of yarn- and I love it. The info about the various ways silk is produced and the opinions is interesting. BTW, the first archival post I read was the one about hockey. Is there anyone else out there who is has NHL playoffs projects?

re: Silk Cocoons, Yarn Choices, and Free Stuff

HelenF — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:36:48 GMT

Do you ever have patterns for knitting machines? I have both a fine and a bulky machine. With bad arthritis, I find it difficult to hand knit....but I absolutely love your patterns and do my best to make adjustments.

re: Silk Cocoons, Yarn Choices, and Free Stuff

MaxD — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:14:07 GMT

It's hard to tell what day "today's post" has been posted. Would you consider putting the date near the top of the post?

I was very excited to have the Katie Himmelberg frock camisole pattern. Thank you so much for that!

re: Silk Cocoons, Yarn Choices, and Free Stuff

PerM — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 14:35:09 GMT

Sandy,
I've been meaning to say that you are a treasure. Your caring, witty interesting posts brighten my day and encourage me to new efforts by your example.

Inspiring, stimulating and fun.

Thank you for sharing so much,
Peri

re: Silk Cocoons, Yarn Choices, and Free Stuff

SharonV — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 14:12:03 GMT

Sandi, almost nothing is worse than a Spring cold, so I hope you heal well and soon.

I'm finding all of this spinning information fascinating. I've been wanting to spin for awhile, but the nearest 'school' is 2 hours away from my home and is an evening class.

Knowing absolutely nothing about spinning other than my less than successful experience with the drop spindle (if I were in a drop spindle class my grade would be ZERO!), I actually dished out money for a spinning wheel!

Hopefully it will be here in the next couple of weeks with some free roving (I'm going to need all the help I can get!) so I can start teaching myself. I hope to attend some fiber festivals, which I've never attended before. I'm going to take my spinning wheel with me and hopefully meet someone who knows and is willing to teach me.

Wish me luck!

re: Silk Cocoons, Yarn Choices, and Free Stuff

Deerarts — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 20:48:39 GMT

A) How can you say the gathered pullover gives "waist" shaping; seems a bit too high. B) Recent question re: silk cocoons: when reeling silk (=dead worm), how is the outer end of that delicate strand located?
Denise, Illinois

re: Silk Cocoons, Yarn Choices, and Free Stuff

MarrthaD — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 21:28:00 GMT

Tussah silk roving, which is a lovely honey color, is gathered from cocoons from wild moths who have continued their life cycle. I spin it from Roving I carry in my shop, I don't know if there is a commercial yarn. There is also silk from a native Ohio moth whose cultivation is being developed. Or you can try to gather enough cocoons from the wild. Email me for more info, since I don't know if I should give urls, this being my first comment.

re: Silk Cocoons, Yarn Choices, and Free Stuff

MidoriW — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 15:06:23 GMT

In reading all the posts re: silkworms, and silk production, it seems pretty clear to me that many many people grapple with the idea of harm being caused to a creature (even one with which we can't "converse" or(possibly) share a deep emotional attachment) in order for us to "make something beautiful". Is there harm? Or is there not harm? What is harm in today's world anyway? It makes me think of a book I'm currently reading which explores our relationships to ourselves, our cultures, other creatures... It is part memoir, part science, part cultural and world history. One of the most interesting and thought provoking reads I've ever had. It sort of defies a particular genre slot. It is called A Language Older Than Words, by Derrick Jensen. I'd bet that lots of the bloggers in these recent threads would love it. Underneath it all, we seem to reach towards connection. Look at us all here... sharing and touching in a long distance sort of way... believing in community, creating it. Anyway, the book is a wonderful read. I highly recommend it.
Midori

re: Silk Cocoons, Yarn Choices, and Free Stuff

Skaterfan — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 14:29:06 GMT

Hi,

I'm brand new and while browsing I noticed a mention that someone had a pattern for knitted ice skate guards. Can someone please tell me how to contact her to find out how I might be able to get it.

Thanks.

re: Silk Cocoons, Yarn Choices, and Free Stuff

AidaH — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 13:14:41 GMT

Hope you feel better! The strange weather patterns up here in the Northeast have provided my family an opportunity to coin me with the endearing term of ?Fog-Horn?. I really look forward to the sunny days were I can just bake away on the beach. I really like the look of this 'Frock-Cami' and would like to make it for my teenaged niece. As an
Advanced-beginner, how would I add capped/short sleeves?-She is a size small.

re: Silk Cocoons, Yarn Choices, and Free Stuff

Peanut.chew — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 08:26:12 GMT

For a sick day, this was a pretty good post. Feel better soon, Sandi!

re: Silk Cocoons, Yarn Choices, and Free Stuff

Wormspit — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 02:51:43 GMT

The VAST majority of Tussah silk is stifled and reeled just like Bombyx. There's one source on the web that has proliferated the misinformation about it, despite many requests not to. Here's a good page on the process: http://www.hsgwc.co.jp/english/silk_pages/tfy_process.html

re: Silk Cocoons, Yarn Choices, and Free Stuff

EmilyH — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 02:40:31 GMT

I have not begun spinning yet, but I have been doing a lot of research about silk, and when they don't stifle the pupae (let the moth out), the product is called "Peace Silk" and I think they go out of their way to tell you. Most silk comes from China and they go for quick and easy.