Cocoons and Fabric
Eri silk comes from the cocoons of Samia cynthia ricini, a silkworm reared by tribal communities across northeast India for centuries. The silkworm feeds on castor leaves and spins a cocoon. From here, harvesting happens in two ways. Either the moth is allowed to exit naturally, or the pupae are removed by the community for consumption. The pupae are a staple protein source in the region. The same organism provides food and fibre. The entire cycle of rearing, eating, spinning, and weaving happens within a single ecosystem. This is a thousands of years old practice, but it remains one of the most complete examples of circularity in any textile system.
Process stages before fabric is woven
Eri silk does not exist outside the northeastern region of India. Our work with it is still in very early stages, but what drew us in is the hand. It feels almost like a soft wool despite being silk. We are exploring blending it with other natural fibres, dyeing it, and working with it through handweaving and knitting to understand what the material can do beyond its traditional context.
