Saturday 1 May 2010

Cocoon

Did you know:
Silk thread is the hardened silk worm saliva which they use to form their cocoon
The single strand of the silk when unravelled is over a mile long
3,000 cocoons are needed to make 1 pound of raw silk.
I didn't until I researched it for Illustration Friday. You learn something every day!

© 2010 nicky linzey for illustration friday

14 comments:

Megan Coyle said...

wow, I never knew that either.

And what colorful cocoons you've created - love the colors and the pattern on each one.

Valerie Lorimer said...

Cool info! I had no idea. These are beautiful cocoons, Nickey!

yoon see said...

Now that I know:)
Wow! Your cocoons are so fabulous!
They are like a new jewelry set ready to adorn their audiences:)
Brilliant and they shine!

Vanessa Brantley Newton said...

This is so BEAUTIFUL!!!! OMG!! how wonderful!

Caroline said...

Wow! These cocoons are wonderful! How clever you are Nicky - I'm totally stumped at the moment! I've been to a silk farm before and knew how they made the cocoons but didn't know the other facts - amazing!

Marion said...

Great colours and idea.

Unknown said...

Lovely colourful illustration, so well-drawn. Thanks for the new information.

aimee said...

the most delightful cocoons i've ever seen! they look like colorful candied prisms!

studio lolo said...

Wow, that's a lot of cocoons for a little silk!

I love these. They remind me of fractals a bit. You always have such a wonderful approach to the prompt!

I've fallen away and need to get back to it asap:)

Oh, do you remember the name of the site that lets you upload your patterns for fabric? I was telling a friend about it and I drew a blank :P

have a super week!

Mr. Spoqui said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Nicola said...

Aside from being wonderfully "candied" (as Aimee mentioned), these cocoons create a deep feeling of being bound (in a life-giving way).

justdoodleit said...

Before the cocoon stage they are always eating...in fact they have a voracious appetite for Mulberry. Gorgeous colors and lovely illo.

Shirley said...

Absolutely beautiful cocoon(s), Nicky!! Well done!

yoon see said...

Hello Nicky,
I never forget you:)
Thanks for your friendship as always.