Silkworm Cocoons (Non-living)

Real Silkworm Cocoons (Non-Living)

These are genuine Bombyx mori silkworm cocoons — the same cocoons that have been used to make silk for thousands of years, starting in ancient China. Each cocoon is spun from one single, continuous strand of silk that can run over half a mile long, which is what makes them so much fun to work with: find the end, and the whole cocoon unravels into glistening thread. (Want the full story? Read our history of silk and the silkworm.)

What people use them for

• Classrooms & science projects — unraveling a cocoon is a hands-on lesson in biology and history rolled into one, and a favorite for school sericulture units.
• Silk reeling & fiber arts — spinners and weavers degum the cocoons (a simmer in water with a little soda ash) and reel or spin the silk into usable fiber.
• Crafts & décor — whole cocoons can be dyed, cut, and shaped into flowers, ornaments, and jewelry.
• Skin care — the fibroin and sericin proteins in cocoons are used in DIY facial routines around the world.

How to unravel a cocoon

Simmer the cocoon in hot water for a few minutes to soften the sericin "glue," brush the surface gently until you catch a loose end, then wind the filament onto a card or bobbin. It takes about 2,000–3,000 cocoons to make a pound of silk — after unraveling one yourself, you'll understand why silk was once worth more than gold.

Need silkworm cocoons in bulk?

We raise silkworms year-round and can produce cocoons at any quantity you need — contact us for bulk pricing for classrooms, fiber studios, or resale.