For years I had eyed tent caterpillars thinking, can I spin their silk?
This year I found out, yes! And it is strong!
It has a lot of poop still in it, but it is a lot less violent than traditional methods of silk growing and preparation, and the tent caterpillars grow wild, too. I am excited to try harvesting more and using it for making yarn and possibly even strings for musical instruments.
I'm wondering whether de-gumming the tent caterpillar silk might help - if it has gum that is, like regular 'silkworm' silk. Worth a try? perhaps on part of the trial spin to gauge is there is any difference. Tent caterpillars don't live in this neck of the woods, otherwise I'd volunteer to try
Life's too short, eat dessert first! [Source of quote unknown]
You have to be warped to weave [ditto!]
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