Tussah Silk Top | Natural Silk Fibre for Spinning & Blending
Ashford Tussah Silk Top is a luxurious natural silk fibre prized for its beautiful golden-beige colour, exceptional strength and elegant lustre. Produced by wild silkworms that feed on oak leaves, Tussah silk offers a more natural appearance and greater resilience than cultivated white silk.
With a fibre diameter of approximately 15 microns and a staple length of 13 cm (5¼"), this combed silk top drafts effortlessly, making it a pleasure to spin. Whether used on its own or blended with wool, alpaca or other luxury fibres, it adds softness, strength and a subtle natural sheen to handspun yarns.
Tussah silk also dyes beautifully, allowing you to create rich, vibrant colours while preserving its luxurious character.
Quick overview:
✔️ 100% natural Tussah silk
✔️ Wild silk with a natural golden-beige colour
✔️ Approximately 15 micron fibre diameter
✔️ Staple length: approximately 13 cm (5¼")
✔️ Ideal for spinning and fibre blending
✔️ Dyes beautifully
✔️ Available in 100 g and 1 kg
✔️ Ashford product
Why choose Tussah silk?
Tussah silk combines luxury with durability. Its long fibres spin smoothly into elegant yarns, while its natural colour adds warmth and depth to finished projects. It is also more resilient than cultivated white silk, making it an excellent choice for hand spinners.
- beautiful natural lustre
- long fibres for easy drafting
- strong and durable
- excellent resistance to pilling
- natural golden-beige colour
- ideal for luxury fibre blends
Perfect for hand spinning
Tussah silk can be spun on its own into smooth, lustrous yarns or blended with Merino, Polwarth, alpaca, mohair and other fibres to add strength, softness and elegant sheen.
Ideal for fibre blending
Its long staple and smooth texture make Tussah silk exceptionally easy to blend during carding or fibre preparation.
- Merino wool
- Polwarth wool
- Alpaca
- Mohair
- Bamboo
- Lyocell
Specifications
- Brand: Ashford
- Material: 100% Tussah Silk
- Colour: Natural Golden Beige
- Fibre diameter: Approximately 15 microns
- Staple length: Approximately 13 cm (5¼")
- Available sizes: 100 g and 1 kg
Why choose Tussah silk over cultivated silk?
| Feature | Tussah Silk |
|---|---|
| Softness | ★★★★★ |
| Lustre | ★★★★★ |
| Strength | ★★★★★ |
| Ease of spinning | ★★★★★ |
| Blending | ★★★★★ |
Compared with cultivated white (Mulberry) silk, Tussah silk offers a warmer natural colour, slightly more texture and greater resilience. Its understated sheen and natural character make it a favourite among hand spinners and fibre artists.
Complete your fibre studio
Our opinion
Tussah silk is one of the finest luxury fibres available to hand spinners. Its natural colour, long staple and remarkable strength make it equally beautiful spun on its own or blended with wool and other premium fibres.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Tussah silk and Mulberry silk?
Tussah silk comes from wild silkworms that feed on oak leaves, giving it a natural golden-beige colour and greater resilience than cultivated white Mulberry silk.
Is Tussah silk easy to spin?
Yes. Its long fibres draft smoothly and produce fine, strong, lustrous yarns.
Can I dye Tussah silk?
Absolutely. Tussah silk dyes beautifully with dyes formulated for protein fibres.
What fibres blend well with Tussah silk?
Tussah silk blends exceptionally well with Merino, Polwarth, alpaca, mohair, bamboo and Lyocell, adding strength, softness and elegant sheen.