The production of silk

Answer 1

Silk is spun from the fibres of the cocoon of the mulberry silkworm, the caterpillar of a type of moth. There are other species of bug which produce workable silk, but aren't generally used for textiles, though research continues. Commercial silk is strong, easily dyed and wonderfully reflective of light. So the short answer is, silk originates from a caterpillar's bottom. Did you really want to know that?

Answer 2

Silk is produced primarily in China and is an extensive process. Silk worms are raised in a controlled environment and are fed mulberry leaves continously. When the silk worm reaches maturity, it begins to spin a cocoon out of a continuous silk fiber. Once the cocoon is complete, the worm is stifled to death through use of dry heat so that it will not damage the silk by turning into a moth. The cocoon is then placed in boiling water and the cocoon is then gently unraveled onto a wheel where it will be spun into a yarn.