Silk is obtained from the cocoons of the silkworm, which is the larval form of the domesticated silk moth, Bombyx mori. Here are the steps involved in obtaining silk from silkworms :
Rearing silkworms:
The process of silk production begins with the rearing of silkworms. The eggs of the silk moth are hatched and the larvae are fed with mulberry leaves. The silkworms go through four molting stages before spinning their cocoons.
Spinning cocoons:
When the silkworms are ready to spin cocoons, they secrete a liquid silk from their spinnerets. They spin the silk around themselves in a figure-eight pattern, forming a cocoon. The silk fibers are made of a protein called fibroin.
Harvesting cocoons:
After the silkworms have finished spinning their cocoons, the cocoons are harvested. They are usually boiled to kill the silkworms and prevent the cocoons from breaking apart. However, this process kills the silkworms, which is controversial.
Unwinding silk:
The cocoons are then soaked in hot water to loosen the silk fibers. The fibers from several cocoons are unwound and combined into a single strand of silk. This process is called reeling.
Cleaning and weaving:
The silk fibers are then washed and dried. They may be dyed or left in their natural color. The fibers are then woven into silk fabric.
Silk can also be made without killing the silkworms. In this process, the cocoons are not boiled, but the moths are allowed to emerge from the cocoons naturally. This produces a different type of silk called peace silk or ahimsa silk. However, this type of silk is more expensive and less widely available than conventional silk.