How Is Silk Made? Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/technology/How-Is-Silk-Made Ask the Chatbot a Question Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Apr 4, 2025 • Article History Contents Ask the Chatbot a Question

　　Silk fabric An assortment of silk fabric for sale in Surin, Thailand. (more) The journey of silk begins with the silkworm, specifically the domesticated silkworm known as Bombyx mori. This caterpillar is raised in a process called sericulture, where it is fed mulberry leaves until it is ready to spin a cocoon. The silkworm builds the cocoon by producing and surrounding itself with a long, continuous fiber by secreting from a pair of glands a protein called fibroin. This fiber hardens upon contact with air and is held together with a gummy substance called sericin, which is produced from another pair of glands. Because an emerging moth would break the cocoon filament, the ...(100 of 334 words)

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