Eri peace silk scarf - madder x marigold

The scarf is created by non-profit based in the Himalayas, in a type of silk known as "eri" silk, and dyed with natural dyes. 

Eri silk is known for its soft, yet slightly slubby texture. It is also warm and breathable.

The silk is organic - the silkworms are reared outdoors and feed on castor leaves. 

 The silk is cruelty-free - also known as peace silk and ahimsa or non-violent silk. It is a sustainable & ethical approach to silk production which does not involve harming or killing the silk worm.

Once the moths have hatched the cocoon, the cocoons are collected by silk farmers, then spun & woven by hand. A cottage industry, the production of peace silk supports a wide & varied eco-system of women & men farmers, spinners, weavers, printers & dyers.

Silk spun & woven in this way retains properties lost during conventional methods of silk production. As a spun silk, peace silk is less lustrous than conventional silk, but is incredibly soft and has a rich, slubbed texture & an incredible drape. Because of the air pockets retained in the yarn, it retains warmth in winter & breathes in the heat so is comfortable to wear year round. 

Peace silk can be woven from different kinds of silk, such as eri, mulberry or tussar; each of which has unique properties which determine the handfeel and drape of the woven cloth. 

Any variations or irregularities are to be celebrated. They are part of the design & inherent to the handcrafted production process, making this item beautifully unique.

By contrast, regular silk is produced from the long fibers of unbroken cocoons. The cocoons are preserved by killing thousands of silk worms - dropping them into boiling water, before they can metamorphose into moths. By preventing the moth chewing its way through the cocoon to escape, one long continuous thread can be produced.

Material: Handspun and handwoven eri peace or cruelty-free silk

Care: I strongly recommend spot cleaning this shawl if possible. If you must, please wash gently and separately in cold water, using a mild and PH-neutral detergent detergent.  Do not soak or wring. Dry flat in shade. Do not condition. 

Note: Dark colors may bleed a little in the beginning as the extra dye washes off. Natural colors are living colors and change over time.