The Silken World of Yarn

✨ The Silken World of Yarn: Nature’s Softest Secret ✨

Silk. Just the word whispers luxury, doesn’t it? But did you know not all silk is created equal? In fact, there’s a whole world of silk yarns out there — each with its own personality, texture, sheen, and story. Let’s take a little trip into the cocoon and unravel the most common (and a few lesser-known) types of silk used in knitting yarns. You’ll be surprised how different they can be — and how exciting that is for your next project.

1. Mulberry Silk – The Queen of Silk

Let’s start with the diva of the bunch: Mulberry silk. This is the smoothest, whitest, and shiniest silk, made from silkworms fed exclusively on mulberry leaves.

Properties:

Welcome to The Silken World of Yarn, where each thread tells a story of elegance and craftsmanship.

Ultra soft with a glossy, almost pearlescent sheen
Strong and durable
Takes dye like a dream, resulting in intense, luminous colors

In Knitting: Mulberry silk drapes like a couture gown. Use it for shawls, lightweight tops, or anything that benefits from a flowing, elegant silhouette. It’s slippery, so it’s best paired with a bit of grip (like a wool blend) for better stitch definition.

2. Tussah Silk – The Wild Spirit

Unlike the pampered worms of Mulberry silk, Tussah silk comes from wild silkworms who munch on oak and other forest leaves. It’s less processed, and that shows — in the best way.

Properties:

Slightly rougher texture
Natural golden-beige color
More matte, but still with a gentle sheen

In Knitting: Tussah gives a subtle, earthy elegance. It’s more rustic and has more grip, which makes it easier to knit with than mulberry. Perfect for lightweight sweaters or warm-weather accessories with a natural vibe.

3. Bourette Silk – The Earthy Rebel

Bourette silk is created from the shorter silk fibers that remain after the production of reeled silk. During traditional silk manufacturing, the finest continuous filaments are removed from the cocoon to produce smooth lustrous silk. The remaining shorter fibers — once considered waste — are carefully collected, carded, and spun into yarn. This spinning process creates the characteristic irregular structure of bourette silk: subtle slubs, gentle texture, and a dry, almost linen-like hand feel while still retaining the luxurious performance properties of silk.

Because the fibers are spun rather than reeled, Seta Bourette has a completely different personality from classic shiny silk. It feels more natural, more breathable, and less slippery on the needles. The yarn has excellent grip, making it particularly pleasant for both hand knitting and machine knitting. Stitches remain beautifully defined, lace patterns stay crisp, and textured structures gain remarkable depth.

Despite its rustic appearance, bourette silk still preserves the remarkable technical qualities that make silk such an exceptional fiber. It is naturally thermoregulating, helping the body stay cool in summer and comfortable in cooler temperatures. The fiber absorbs moisture efficiently without feeling damp, allowing garments to remain breathable and comfortable directly against the skin. Silk proteins also make bourette silk naturally gentle for sensitive skin.

Another important quality of bourette silk is its unique balance between drape and structure. While filament silk can sometimes feel overly fluid, bourette silk has slightly more body due to its spun construction. Fabrics knitted from Seta Bourette fall elegantly while maintaining enough stability for modern garments, textured stitches, and layering pieces. Over time and after washing, the yarn softens even further while retaining its distinctive matte character.

The slightly irregular texture is not a flaw but a defining feature of genuine bourette silk. Tiny slubs and unevenness reflect the natural origin of the fiber and give finished garments a sophisticated artisanal appearance that cannot be replicated by synthetic or highly processed yarns.

Seta Bourette is especially suitable for:

Lightweight tops and summer sweaters
Elegant cardigans and layering garments
Scarves and shawls with fluid drape
Fine-gauge machine knitting
Textured stitches and lacework
Garments worn directly on the skin

Why knitters love Seta Bourette:

100% natural silk with a matte, sophisticated appearance
Breathable and thermoregulating
Excellent drape with subtle structure
Softens beautifully with wear and washing
Lightweight yet durable
Naturally textured with elegant stitch definition
More sustainable use of silk fibers through spun-silk production

Seta Bourette is silk for those who prefer quiet luxury over shine — natural, tactile, breathable, and deeply refined in its own understated way.

Bourette is also an amazing eco-choice: it makes use of what would otherwise be waste. So it’s not just beautiful — it’s conscious.

4. Schappe Silk – The Hidden Gem

Schappe silk is made from the shorter fibers left over after reeling and combing — think of it as silk’s version of carded wool.

Properties:

Less shiny, more velvety
Soft and lofty texture
Still strong but more pliable

In Knitting: Schappe silk behaves more like wool — you’ll love it if you want the softness of silk without the intense sheen. It creates beautifully soft fabric, perfect for everyday luxury sweaters or elegant layering pieces.

5. Demi-Schappe – The Balanced Beauty

A hybrid between raw and processed silk, Demi-Schappe retains some of silk’s natural texture while being a bit more refined than full Schappe.

Properties:

Balanced between sheen and matte
Light, breathable, and strong
A touch of rustic charm with a smoother handle

In Knitting: Great for transitional garments — spring cardigans, fall shawls, and anything you want to feel “just right.” A beautiful compromise between rustic and refined.

6. Shantung Silk – The Textured Treasure

Made from irregular, slightly knobby silk fibers, Shantung silk has character in spades. It’s often used in fabrics with a “slubbed” texture — and yes, that texture shows up in yarn too!

Properties:

Slubby, with occasional thick-thin variations
Dry, crispy handfeel
Matte with a hint of luster

In Knitting: Shantung silk adds texture without effort. You don’t need complicated stitchwork — the yarn does the talking. Ideal for modern, fashion-forward pieces with raw edges and

clean silhouettes.

🧵Silk Yarn Personality Chart

Silk Type	Texture	Sheen	Vibe	Best Use
Mulberry	Silky smooth	High gloss	Glamorous	Shawls, luxury garments
Tussah	Crisp, wild, tweedy	Soft sheen	Natural, raw	Accessories, summer tops
Schappe	Lofty, woolly	Matte	Cozy refinement	Sweaters, softwear
Demi-Schappe	Balanced	Semi-matte	Casual luxe	Year-round knits
Shantung	Slubby	Dry matte	Textural modern	Minimalist garments
Bourette	Nubby, rustic	Matte	Earthy, artisanal	Summerwear, textures