The Complete Guide to Silk Yarn Types: From Mulberry to Tussah to Sari Silk
Share
The Complete Guide to Silk Yarn Types: From Mulberry to Tussah to Sari Silk
If you have ever stared down the yarn shelf wondering why two balls both labelled “silk” can feel and behave so differently, you are not alone. Silk is not one fibre — it is a whole family of fibres, each with its own texture, drape, sheen and personality. Whether you knit, crochet, weave or spin, understanding the different silk yarn types is what unlocks projects that actually turn out the way you imagined.
Think of this as your complete silk yarn guide. Below, we walk through every silk family you will meet — mulberry, tussah, eri peace silk, recycled sari silk and silk blends — what each one feels and behaves like, what to make with it, and how to pick the right one for your project.
In This Guide
- ✨ What silk yarn really is — and why types differ
- 🪡 Mulberry Silk — the classic glossy favourite
- 🌿 Tussah Silk — the wild, warm, textured option
- 👌 Eri Peace Silk — the gentle, cruelty-free choice
- 🌈 Recycled Sari Silk — texture, colour and a story
- 🧵 Silk Blends — the best of two fibres
- 📝 How to choose the right silk for your project
✨ What Is Silk Yarn, Really?
Silk is a natural protein fibre produced by silkworms or moths as they spin their cocoons. Because it is a natural fibre, it is soft, strong, breathable and takes dye beautifully — but different species and different processing methods give you strikingly different yarn families.
There are two big divides to understand before you shop:
The famous, glossy, long-staple silk of the mulberry silkworm. The gold standard for lustrous, smooth, high-end yarn.
Tussah, Eri, and Sari Silk trade some mirror shine for texture, warmth and a story. Each has its own beautiful character.
Every type has a place. Once you know what each silk family is best at, choosing becomes simple.
🪡 1. Mulberry Silk: The Classic Glossy Favourite
Mulberry silk is the silk most people picture when they hear the word. It comes from silkworms fed exclusively on mulberry leaves, which gives the fibre its remarkable length, uniform sheen, and strength.
Smooth, lustrous, cool and a little slippery. A glassy glint that catches the light.
Lace shawls, fine scarves, lightweight sweaters, heirloom garments
Laceweight through sport. Fine, airy, elegant.
Because it is so smooth and drapey, mulberry silk shines in lace shawls, fine scarves, lightweight sweaters, and garments meant to skim the body. Its strength also means it doesn’t fuzz, so it works beautifully for heirloom pieces you will make and treasure.
Shop Mulberry Silk Yarn →🌿 2. Tussah Silk: The Wild, Warm, Textured Option
Tussah (often spelled “tasar” or “tussar”) comes from wild or semi-wild silk moths that feed on their natural forest leaves. Because the fibres are a little shorter, the texture is bumpier and the finish is softer and more matte than mulberry.
Warm, slightly textured, with a gentle low-key glow. Often comes in natural ecru, coffee and honey tones.
Scarves, wraps, shawls, baby garments — skin-touch pieces without a lightning-bright shine
Natural spun texture gives fabric a subtle heathered look. Undyed tussah is beautiful in its own right.
A wonderful choice for everyday pieces that touch the skin, where you want silk’s softness without a mirror-bright shine.
👌 3. Eri Silk (Peace Silk): The Gentle, Cruelty-Free Choice
Eri silk, also called “peace silk” or “ahimsa silk,” is made in a cruelty-conscious way: the moths are allowed to emerge from their cocoons instead of being boiled to harvest the silk. That makes the fibre shorter and the resulting yarn softer and warmer in feeling — often described as more like wool or cotton.
Dull, matte, lofty and spongy. Closest to a soft cotton or delicate wool — the least shiny of all silks.
Shawls, baby garments, delicate weaving — anything where matte warmth matters more than shine
Peace silk credentials. No silkworms harmed. Perfect for eco-conscious makers.
Particularly lovely for anyone who wants the eco-list credentials of silk — and the peace silk story — without the flashy shine.
🌈 4. Recycled Sari Silk: Texture, Colour and a Story
Recycled sari silk is made from leftover trimmings and edges of old colourful Indian sarees, unravelled and re-spun or braided into soft, textured yarn. It is the most colourful of the silk families, and no two skeins are ever the same twice.
Slightly irregular, thick-and-thin, full of small colour changes. One-of-a-kind character in every skein.
Statement scarves, bags, jewellery, tassels, home décor, mixed-media — anything bold and handcrafted
Handcrafted in India from upcycled silk sarees. Sustainable, artisan-made, deeply colourful.
Use it for pieces where texture and personality matter more than an even, fine knit. That textured, one-of-a-kind look is exactly what makes it so charming.
Shop Sari Silk Yarn →🧵 5. Silk Blends: The Best of Two Fibres
Raw silk is lovely on its own, but blends layer its strengths with a partner fibre. A silk and merino wool blend gives you silk’s softness and luster plus wool’s warmth, spring and breathability. A silk and cotton blend does the same thing with coolness and easy comfort.
Silk’s sheen and drape + wool’s warmth, spring and breathability. One of the most comfortable yarns to knit or wear, holds shape beautifully.
Silk’s softness + cotton’s breathability and easy care. Perfect for summer garments and all-day accessories.
Best for: All-around sweaters, accessories, and pieces you want to wear close to skin all day.
Shop Silk Blend Yarns →📝 How to Choose the Right Silk Yarn for Your Project
Once you know the families, choosing is a simple matter of matching the fibre to the result:
| If you want… | Choose |
|---|---|
| Fine, elegant, lacy and lustrous projects where smoothness is everything | 🪡 Mulberry Silk |
| A soft, natural, slightly textured silk for skin-touch pieces | 🌿 Tussah Silk |
| A matte, forgiving, cruelty-free fibre that behaves more like soft wool | 👌 Eri / Peace Silk |
| Colour, texture and a one-of-a-kind artisan look for statement pieces | 🌈 Sari Silk |
| Silk’s feel but a partner fibre’s warmth, spring or breathability | 🧵 Silk Blends |
💬 Frequently Asked Questions About Silk Yarn Types
Eri peace silk is generally considered the softest and most wool-like of the silk yarns. Mulberry silk is the smoothest and most lustrous, but Eri has the most gentle, forgiving hand.
Recycled Sari Silk Ribbon Yarn is the most forgiving for beginners — its chunky weight, texture, and personality hide minor tension inconsistencies beautifully. Fine mulberry silk laceweight is best left for experienced makers.
Yes — tussah (also called tasar or tussar) is a wild silk, produced by moths that feed on forest leaves rather than cultivated mulberry. This is why it has a warmer, more textured character than mulberry silk.
Yes — it is one of the most sustainable silk yarns available. Recycled sari silk repurposes existing silk fabric waste, meaning no new silk production is required. KnitSilk’s sari silk is sourced from artisan communities in India.
💰 A Silk for Every Maker
There is no single “best” silk — just the right fibre for the story you want to make. Whether you reach for a glossy mulberry laceweight, a muted tussah for winter scarves, an Eri peace silk for baby garments, or a vibrant sari silk ribbon for something bold — silk rewards a curious maker. Pair your yarn with the project it loves, let the fibre do its thing with your hands, and you will see why silk has been the favourite of craftspeople for centuries.
KnitSilk ships a full range of handcrafted and eco-conscious silk yarns worldwide — from India to your hands.
🪡 Crafted in India. Made for makers who care about quality and craft. ✨
🪡 Explore All Silk Yarn Types at KnitSilk
Mulberry Silk, Tussah, Eri Peace Silk, Sari Silk Ribbon, Silk Blends — all handcrafted in India, shipped worldwide.