How does silk reeling transform silk cocoons into Knitted Mulberry Silk Fabric? ​

When the silk cocoons complete their final metamorphosis and condense their essence of life into flexible silk threads, the silk reeling process becomes a bridge between the gift of nature and exquisite fabrics. As the key starting point of knitted mulberry silk fabric production, the exquisiteness of its craftsmanship directly determines the quality of the final product. From silk cocoons to raw silk, and then to knitted mulberry silk fabric, this process is full of the fusion of nature and human wisdom. ​
Silkworm cocoons are the basic raw materials for silk reeling. Each complete silk cocoon is a "cradle" woven by silkworms with their lives. Before reeling, the cocoons need to be strictly selected. Only those that are full, firm, uniform in color and undamaged can enter the reeling stage. These cocoons are boiled in water at a specific temperature. The high temperature softens the sericin that wraps the silk, and the originally sticky silk can be separated. The temperature control in the cocoon cooking process is extremely important. Too high a temperature will damage the silk fibers, and too low a temperature will not effectively separate the silk. This requires the silk reeling workers to rely on rich experience and accurate judgment to complete. ​
After the cocoons are cooked, they are transferred to the silk reeling machine. The design principle of the silk reeling machine is based on the characteristics of silk. Through mechanical traction and water flow, the silk is gradually extracted from the cocoon. The worker needs to find the silk head of the cocoon first. This is a delicate job. Usually, the worker uses bamboo sticks and other tools to gently explore. Once the silk head is found, it is introduced into the traction device of the silk reeling machine. Under the operation of the silk reeling machine, the silk is slowly extracted, and the thin silk strands are combined into strands under the guidance of the machine, gradually forming raw silk. ​
The quality of raw silk directly affects the performance of knitted mulberry silk fabric. During the reeling process, the thickness, uniformity, color, etc. of the raw silk need to be strictly controlled. Raw silk with uniform thickness and color can produce high-quality fabrics. In order to ensure the quality of raw silk, the silk reeling machine is equipped with a precise detection device to monitor the various indicators of raw silk in real time. Once an abnormality is found, the machine will automatically adjust the pulling speed or perform manual intervention. ​
After reeling, the raw silk obtained cannot be directly used for knitting and needs to be degummed. Although sericin protects silk in the cocoon stage, it will affect the feel and gloss of the fabric. After removing sericin by chemical or physical methods, the raw silk becomes softer and smoother, and the gloss is brighter. After degumming, the raw silk must also go through processes such as cleaning and drying to remove residual chemicals and moisture to ensure that the raw silk meets the knitting standards. ​
Next, the raw silk enters the knitting stage. The knitting machine is like a magical "weaver", weaving the fine raw silk into elastic fabrics. Common knitting machines include circular knitting machines and flat knitting machines. Circular knitting machines are good at mass production of cylindrical basic fabrics, while flat knitting machines can weave complex patterns and structures. According to design requirements, knitting machines can use different tissue structures. Plain stitch makes the fabric flat and elastic, ribbed stitch enhances the lateral stretchability of the fabric, and jacquard stitch gives the fabric exquisite patterns. During the knitting process, the tension control of raw silk is very critical. Too much tension can easily break the silk thread, while too little tension will cause the fabric to loosen and affect the quality. ​
The knitted fabric is only a semi-finished product and needs to go through a series of finishing processes to become the final knitted mulberry silk fabric. Dyeing is an important step in giving the fabric color. The good dyeing properties of mulberry silk enable it to present a rich variety of colors. Through different dyeing processes, the fabric can achieve a variety of effects such as solid color, gradient, and printing. Softening finishing and anti-wrinkle finishing further enhance the feel and appearance of the fabric. Softeners make the fabric more delicate and smooth, and anti-wrinkle treatment makes the fabric less prone to wrinkling and maintains a good shape. In addition, functional finishing can be performed according to needs, such as UV protection and antibacterial, to expand the application range of the fabric. ​
Knitted mulberry silk fabric is unique in the clothing field with its soft and skin-friendly touch. The delicate fiber structure does not produce any roughness when it comes into contact with human skin, and it is as comfortable as a second layer of skin. Its good moisture absorption and breathability can absorb and dissipate sweat in time to keep the skin dry. Whether it is made into an elegant dress, comfortable underwear or pajamas, it can bring the wearer an ultimate comfortable experience. ​
In terms of appearance, knitted mulberry silk fabric shows a unique beauty with the natural luster of mulberry silk and rich finishing technology. After knitting and dyeing, the luster of the fabric is soft and bright. Different knitting structures and printing designs enable it to present a simple and generous style, as well as gorgeous and complex patterns, to meet the pursuit of beauty of different consumers. ​
From an environmental protection perspective, knitted mulberry silk fabric is derived from natural silk cocoons and is a renewable resource. Silkworms feed on mulberry leaves during their growth, which is environmentally friendly. Compared with chemical fibers, knitted mulberry silk fabric is easier to degrade in the natural environment and will not cause long-term pollution to the environment, which is in line with the current concept of environmental protection.​
Knitted mulberry silk fabric From silk cocoons to finished products, the silk reeling process is a crucial beginning. It is not only a clever transformation of natural materials, but also the crystallization of human wisdom and craftsmanship. Through silk reeling and a series of subsequent fine processing procedures, the silk in the cocoons is finally transformed into soft, beautiful and environmentally friendly knitted mulberry silk fabrics, which play a unique value in various fields and add infinite beauty to people's lives.