In between Pilgrims Rest and God’s Window, Joan and I stopped for lunch in Graskop, right across the street from Africa Silks.
Joan asked to photograph inside the store for a post and we were given the grand tour. (Click here and here for Joan’s version.)
That’s one unbroken thread
Most people recognize fine silk that is associated with eastern countries. This is created from a single thread reeled off a cocoon which was boiled with the pupae inside to keep the thread unbroken, and up to .8 mile (1.3 km) long.
Mulberry and Mopani silkworms
In another method the cocoons are boiled after the moths’ exit to remove the gum like substance called serosin.
Enlarge to see the pinhead sized eggs
The moths can then lay eggs and start the process over again for sustainable cultivation of silk on a nearby farm between Graskop and Hazyview.
Dried and stretched silk to be spun
Africa Silks supports the Iterileng Project for unemployed women of South Africa by supplying the raw white silk,
which is then spun,
and bought back for weaving.
Because I traveled South Africa during the month of my birthday I bought myself a few gifts. After trying on several delightful silk items I was having trouble deciding between these two blouses. I finally chose the short sleeve one and Joan bought me the sleeveless as a birthday present. They sure look better being worn and I thank Joan every time I wear either one.
Africa Silks also processes the silk of the wild silkworm, Gonameta Postica from the Acacia Tree and Gonameta Rifobrinnae from the Mopani Tree. The processing of this silk is much more labor intensive as the wild silkworm does not feed in captivity therefore the cocoons are harvested from nature by another job creation project for unemployed women mostly in the Northwest Province of South Africa and Namibia. The wild silk is an earthy fawn color with a nubby texture.
I’m not a weaver but have knitted and crocheted for years so just couldn’t resist buying my favorite colors for some future project. Maybe a hat.
