Island Weavings: Spider silk

Monday, September 28, 2009

1million spiders, 70 people, 4 years, 80 million feet of silk = an amazing piece of fabric. Check out this article from Wired: 1 million Spiders Make Golden Silk for Rare Cloth

And here is a CBC interview an interview with Nicolas Godley, the man that milked the spiders and wove that tapestry of spider silk.
http://www.cbc.ca/mrl3/8752/asithappens/20090929-aih-1.wmv

And, another article along with a video interviewing the visionary behind the spiders.

What's on the wheel 2012

75% Merino/20% Mohair/5% Cashmere
3 colour merino blend (purple/blue/purple)
2 colour merino blend (blue/purple)
Black, white and 7 shades a grey merino wool
85% Black kid mohair, 15% multi-coloured tussah silk
Black kid mohair blended with tussah silk
Line flax--linen
50% linen/ 50%vwool
Tow flax--linen
Cotton on the tahkli spindle
50% Ramie 50% Cotton
100% Acala natural cotton
100% Pima cotton
100% grey kid mohair
100% Cashmere
25% camel / 75%silk
50% camel / 50%silk
75% camel / 25%silk
Camel down
Bison
50% Bison / 50% Merino
Cotswold at 1 TPI
Merino thick and thin
Corriedale thick and thin
Suffolk cross for who cares about TPI
Tussah silk trying yet again for 15 TPI
80%Romney/20%silk - Goldern rust
80% Merino 20%Silk trying again and again and again for 15TPI in a 2ply (1 month and counting)
White Romney wool/Silk 80/20 blend
North Ronaldsey fleece
Thick and thin wool
40% Mohair, 40% Romney, 20% silk
Silk
100% Pima cotton