TYPES OF SILK (ERI SILK)

Types of silk:-

ERI SILK:- (Khasi:Ryndia) is the product of the domesticated silk worm Sama ricini , found mainly North-east India  and some parts of China and Japan. It was imported to Thialand in 1974 . The name "eri" is derived from the Assamese word "era" which means 'castor' as the silk worm feed on castor plant. Another types of eri silk is "Ailanthus silk moth" refers to the host plant, Borkesseu, Ailanthus excelsa , practiced in China. Eri silk is also known as endi or errandi in India . The woolly white silk is often referred to as the fabrics of peace when it is processed without killing the silk worm . The process results in a silk called "Ahimsa Silk" . Moth leaves the cocoon and then the cocoon are harvested to be spun. The eri silk worm as the only completely domesticated silk worm other than Bombyx Mori.

image of eri cocoon.

PROCESS:-

image of Rearing eri silk worm.

Eri caterpillars eat a number of plants including Kesseru. In India it is grown in the state of Meghalaya, Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Jarkhand , Chattisgarh, Odisha , Karnataka, Andhrapradesh and some small cities in other states . It has been in 28 provinces of Thiland since 1974. When the heavy rain fall and humid atmosphere of region dulys , the eri culture. The spun threads are often more "cottony" then most Bombayx Silk , although some eri yarns can be very soft and shiney . After 30-32 days the silk worm crawls in search of a comfortable place among the leaves to spin it cocoon. 

QUALITY:-

image of eri fiber.

Eri silk is a staple fiber, unlike others silk, which are continuous filaments . The texture of the fabrics is coarse, fine and dense . It is very strong durable and elastic. Eri silk is darker and heavier than the other silk and blend well with wools and cotton . Due to its humid proportion it is  warm in winter and cool in summer.

Uses of eri silk fabrics:-

image of eri silk cloth.

In india eri was mostly used for preparation of winter shawls, for men and women . The thermal properties of eri silk makes a suitable fabrics for shawls , jackets blankets, and bed spreads.  Dress materials and baby dresses are also made from eri silk fabrics, because of its soft texture and moisture absorbent quality. Nowadays very fine (upto 210 NM) eri spun yarn are available which enables weaving of very fine clothing including traditional saree, dress materials.

Eri silk is durable and strong and has a typical texture, hence it is widely used in home furnishing like curtains, bed covers , cushion covers, wall hangings, quilt etc. Its woolly feel added to the comfort. 

Two eri spun-silk mills have been established in Hindpur in Andhra Pradesh and Kokrajhar in Assam, while another at Chaygaon near Gauhati, Assam which is spinning Eri spun silk yarn with bamboo muga silk and cotton . 

Eri silk producers are promoted as eco-friendly and natural , and provide jobs and money  for the tribal people who practice eri culture.

Eri silk production in India during 2007-2008 was 1,530 tonnes. This made upto 73 percent of total silk production of 2075 tonnes.

Vegan designer Lucy Tammam uses eri silk in her counter evening and bridal wear collection. 

Ref:-https://en.m.wikioedia.org