photo: Top/horizonal: Shanta (hand-spun eri silk), L-R: Kiku (20/2 bombyx silk), Omshanti-White (20/2 Eri Silk), Omshanti-Red (20/2 Eri Silk)
Why Eri Silk for hot weather?
We've talked about Eri Silk several times, but I've confirmed some new information about its thermal properties.
Fabrics that are cooling wick away moisture, allowing the sweat to evaporate quickly. Silk is known to have both insulating and cooling qualities.
Having dyed and rinsed thousands of skeins of bombyx silk, I know the feel of five wet skeins in my hands.
When I rinse Omshanti, those five skeins feel noticeably heavier. I believe Eri absorbs more moisture, making it even more suitable to wear in hot climates.
This led me on a search to see how Eri silk compares to Bombyx silk.
I freely admit that much of what I read was over my head, but NIH National Library of Medicine had a research paper "Structure and Functions of cocoons constructed by Eri SIlkworm" by Bin Zhou and Huiling Wang. The researchers tested bombyx mori cocoon vs eri silk cocoon for various properties.
Technically they tested the cocoons (rather than the spun silk from the cocoons), but I think their results will translate to the properties of the yarn. For thermal insulation and temperature-humidity buffer effect, the eri cocoons performed better than the bombyx mori cocoons.
From a different source, I learned that Eri Silk has much less static electricity than Bombyx silk. Good to know!
Eri Silk Vs Cotton
Eri silk is a much more matte fiber than bombyx silk. Because Eri silk doesn't 'look' like silk, I've had people ask why they should use Eri silk and not just use cotton yarn. Good question!
I was already deep down the research rabbit hole, so I took a look at Eri vs Cotton.
1) Eri is a protein fiber vs Cotton cellulose fiber. I found multiple references to the kinder environmental aspects of rearing Eri silk worms vs raising cotton. Less water usage was repeated frequently.
2) Eri silk dries more easily than cotton.
3) Eri silk doesn't wrinkle as easily as cotton.
4) Eri silk has more moisture wicking properties (i.e., keeps the wearer cooler) than cotton
Now that you have many reasons to fall in love with Eri Silk, here are the different Eri silk yarns and weaving kits that Treenway Silks offers.
Eri Silk Yarns:
Omshanti-White (20/2 mill spun from white eri silk cocoons)
Omshanti-Red (20/2 mill spun from red eri silk cocoons)
Shanta (hand-spun on a takhli spindle by the villagers in India)
Want a color? You can order our Dye Service.
Eri Silk Weaving Kits:
White Gothic Cross scarves
65 Roses "Crazy Love" scarves
Sugar Plum Lace shawl (multiple color options)
Eri Silk Cocoons:
White Eri Silk cocoons