Nice things I needed which I learnt on the fediverse today:
A non-standard genus of silk worm called Eri is much more adaptable to various diets and climates.
It can be used in a more ethical way to make silk yarn - without killing the critter at cocoon harvest.
This provides people around the world with a new way to make homespun clothes, in a kinder way.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahimsa_silk
Thanks to @cathal !
@Shufei Aw, thank you! Happy to have added some interest to your day. :)
FYI though, this guy (who has oodles of interesting posts on silk generally!) has very cogent and strong opinions on the Ahimsa thing: http://www.wormspit.com/peacesilk.htm - essentially, the population dynamics of moths means you can't have meaningful quantities of silk without killing unless you convert the whole biosphere to moths. 🤷
@cathal What excites me to learn of this is that it does approach beekeeping as lending a possibility for sustainable cottage industry symbiosis to developing a family’s own fibre source. I’ll be following your efforts to see how it scales for you, whether it provides enough for you to keep you in fuzzy silk.
@cathal PS, I wonder how it would work to combine your silk with wool. No doubt there are still many sheeps even in old Corcaigh. I’d fancy to learn how that works for you if you try it, le do thoil!
@Shufei
Cork is mostly cattle, but plenty of sheep to be found too. :) I live just a walk from Blarney Woollen mills.
Though, I think if I were blending I'd go with Angora?