India has been at the centre of the world’s silk tradition for over 4,000 years. From the mulberry orchards of West Bengal to the wild forests of Jharkhand where Tussah silkworms spin their cocoons in oak trees — from the artisan dye houses of Rajasthan to the sari-weaving looms of Varanasi — India produces a wider variety of silk than any other country on earth.
At KnitSilk, we source directly from these traditions and bring them to American crafters as yarn, ribbon, fiber, and raw materials. Each silk type is genuinely different — different in texture, luster, weight, drape, and character. This guide introduces you to all of them.
Browse all KnitSilk Silk Yarns →
1. Mulberry Silk — The Queen of Silk
Brilliant luster • Ultra-fine filament • Luminous color depth
Mulberry silk is the most celebrated silk in the world — and for good reason. It is produced by the Bombyx mori silkworm, which feeds exclusively on mulberry leaves and spins a filament of extraordinary regularity and fineness. Because the filament is uniform and smooth, Mulberry silk reflects light like a prism, producing that unmistakable mirror-bright luster that no other fiber can replicate.
KnitSilk’s A-Grade Mulberry Silk is hand-dyed in India by skilled artisans using fiber-reactive dyes that penetrate the filament with a depth and richness that is genuinely unlike anything you’ve experienced. Colorways like Pink and Green, Blue and Brown, and Yellow and Pink shift and blend across the batt or top in ways that are impossible to achieve with any other fiber.
- Best for: hand spinning, fine knitting, lace, felting accents, and heirloom textiles
- Character: silky-smooth, cool to the touch, brilliant sheen, accepts dye with extraordinary depth
- Weight available: fiber/top for hand spinning, and ultra-fine thread weight for fine craft
2. Silk Cocoons — Raw Beauty at the Source
Tactile • Sculptural • Endlessly versatile
Before silk becomes yarn, it begins here: in the cocoon. KnitSilk’s hand-dyed Mulberry Silk Cocoons are the raw material of the entire Indian silk tradition, presented in their most elemental form — small, ovoid vessels of compressed silk filament, dyed in intense jewel tones that make them as beautiful as any finished product.
Silk cocoons are beloved by textile artists for their versatility. They can be:
- Cut and pulled to create mawata-style caps for spinning or felting
- Used whole as decorative elements in weaving, mixed media, and jewelry
- Boiled and reeled by advanced spinners to produce raw silk thread
- Felted into fabric using wet or needle felting techniques
They are also simply one of the most beautiful objects in the textile world. A bowl of hand-dyed silk cocoons in orange, red, blue, or green is an artwork in itself.
3. Tussah (Wild) Silk — The Earthy, Matte Alternative
Warm earth tones • Matte finish • Rustic character • Sustainable
If Mulberry silk is the queen of the silk world, Tussah is its wilder, more soulful sibling. Tussah silk — also called Tussar or wild silk — is produced by silkworms that feed on oak, arjun, and other wild trees rather than mulberry leaves. Because the diet is more varied and the production less controlled, Tussah silk has a naturally warmer, earthier character: a warm beige-to-golden base color, a slightly coarser texture, and a matte rather than mirror-bright finish.
This is not a flaw — it is the source of Tussah’s extraordinary appeal. Tussah yarn has a rustic, organic authenticity that heavily processed Mulberry silk simply cannot replicate. It is the silk of wabi-sabi — beautiful precisely because of its imperfections and natural character.
KnitSilk’s Tussah Carded Spun Silk Yarn is available as a 6-ply weight with 500+ yards per skein, making it ideal for garments, accessories, and fine weaving projects where you want silk’s strength and drape with a more understated, earthy aesthetic.
- Best for: garments, woven textiles, rustic accessories, natural dyeing projects
- Character: warm beige/golden base, matte finish, slightly textured, strong and durable
- Sustainability note: Tussah silkworms are often semi-wild and the production process is typically less intensive than Mulberry silk farming
4. Shibori Silk — The Art of Resist-Dye
Graphic patterns • Bold contrast • Japanese craft tradition meets Indian silk
Shibori is a Japanese resist-dyeing technique with a history stretching back over 1,200 years — and when it is applied to Indian Sari Silk Ribbon, the results are nothing short of extraordinary. KnitSilk’s Shibori Sari Silk Ribbon Yarn is produced by folding, twisting, binding, or compressing silk ribbon before dyeing, so that the bound areas resist the dye and create organic, unpredictable patterns of light and dark that are impossible to replicate by hand.
The signature look of Shibori Silk is bold contrast: deep violet against cream, indigo against natural, forest green against ivory. Each yard of ribbon carries its own unique pattern — and because the resist process is never perfectly reproducible, every single cake is genuinely one-of-a-kind.
The flat ribbon structure means Shibori Silk knits, crochets, and weaves with a dimensional, sculptural quality that round yarns simply can’t match. Market bags, wall hangings, and woven scarves made from Shibori Silk look like contemporary art.
- Best for: statement accessories, wall hangings, macramé, bags, contemporary weaving
- Character: bold graphic contrast, flat ribbon texture, super bulky weight, upcycled Sari Silk base
Shop Shibori Silk Ribbon Yarn →
5. Chiffon Sari Silk Ribbon — Lightweight Drama
Gossamer-light • Printed patterns • Extraordinary drape
Chiffon is one of the most beautiful silk weaves in existence — a sheer, lightweight fabric woven with a crepe-like twist that gives it a slightly textured, floating quality completely unlike the heavier Satin or Dupion weaves. When Chiffon is reclaimed from vintage saris and cut into ribbon yarn, the result is something that barely seems to have any weight at all — gossamer-light ribbon that floats between your fingers and drapes like a whisper.
KnitSilk’s Chiffon Sari Silk Ribbon comes in both solid hand-dyed colorways and printed editions that carry the original sari’s printed motifs — florals, geometrics, and abstract patterns that give each cake a gallery-worthy visual identity. The frayed edges of the cut ribbon add to the beauty: soft, slightly hazy borders that catch the light and add dimension to every stitch.
Because Chiffon Ribbon is so lightweight, it creates finished pieces with an extraordinary, fluid drape — perfect for scarves, wraps, and statement cowls that need to move and flow rather than hold shape.
- Best for: scarves, wraps, cowls, woven shawls, mixed-media art
- Character: gossamer-light, sheer, frayed edges, available in printed and solid colorways
- Available in: 25-yard strips (for accent projects) and full 100g skeins
Shop Chiffon Sari Silk Ribbon →
6. Silk Cotton Blend Yarn — The Everyday Luxury
Accessible weight • Silk luster with cotton softness • Endlessly versatile
Not every project calls for pure silk — and not every budget stretches to it. Silk Cotton Blend Yarn is the answer: a carefully proportioned blend of fine Mulberry silk and premium cotton that captures the best qualities of both fibers while making the result more accessible for everyday crafting.
The silk content brings luster, strength, and that characteristic cool, smooth hand feel. The cotton adds breathability, body, and a slight matte softness that makes the blend more forgiving to knit and crochet than pure silk. The result is a yarn that punches well above its weight class — producing finished pieces that look and feel genuinely luxurious at a price point that doesn’t require a special occasion.
KnitSilk’s DK Silk Cotton Yarn is a 2/60NM x 8-ply construction that gives approximately 180 yards per 50g — a true DK weight that works beautifully for garments, accessories, and home textiles where drape and a subtle sheen are prized.
- Best for: garments, summer tops, fine accessories, home textiles
- Character: smooth, slightly lustrous, breathable, soft, and durable
- Weight: DK (8-ply), approx. 180 yards / 50g
How to Choose the Right Indian Silk Yarn
| Silk Type | Luster | Best Projects | Skill Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mulberry Silk Fiber | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Mirror-bright | Spinning, lace, heirloom | Intermediate+ |
| Tussah Wild Silk | ⭐⭐⭐ Warm matte | Garments, weaving | All levels |
| Shibori Silk Ribbon | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Silky sheen | Statement bags, wall art | Beginner-friendly |
| Chiffon Sari Ribbon | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Gossamer sheen | Scarves, wraps, art | All levels |
| Silk Cotton Blend | ⭐⭐⭐ Subtle sheen | Garments, everyday wear | All levels |
| Silk Cocoons | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Raw brilliance | Spinning, felting, art | Intermediate+ |
Shop All Indian Silk Yarns at KnitSilk
Every silk type in this guide is available now at KnitSilk — sourced from artisan producers across India and shipped to all 50 US states.
All Silk Yarns → Silk Ribbon Yarn →
Also explore: Silk Fibers & Cocoons | Silk Scarves | Silk Home Décor
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Mulberry silk and Tussah silk?
Mulberry silk is produced by domesticated Bombyx mori silkworms fed exclusively on mulberry leaves. It has a brilliant, mirror-bright luster and an ultra-fine, uniform filament. Tussah silk is produced by wild silkworms feeding on various trees — it has a warmer, earthier character, a naturally beige-golden color, and a matte finish. Both are genuine silk; they simply have different personalities.
Is Sari Silk Ribbon Yarn sustainable?
Yes. Sari Silk Ribbon Yarn is made from upcycled sari fabric — diverted from textile waste and given a beautiful second life. Each skein you buy is a conscious choice that supports Indian artisan communities and reduces fabric waste.
Which silk yarn is best for beginners?
Shibori and Chiffon Sari Silk Ribbon Yarn are the most beginner-friendly options — they’re super bulky, work up quickly, and are very forgiving. Silk Cotton Blend DK yarn is also excellent for beginners who want silk’s beauty in a more familiar weight. Browse ribbon yarn →
Does KnitSilk ship to all US states?
Yes — we ship to all 50 states including Alaska and Hawaii. Standard and expedited shipping available at checkout on knitsilk.us.
Can I blend different types of silk yarn together?
Absolutely. Silk Cotton Blend pairs beautifully with pure Mulberry silk top for spinning blends. Sari Silk Ribbon makes a stunning accent yarn held alongside a fine Tussah singles. The different luster levels play off each other in beautiful ways.