First find the final number of knives Carolyn has: 10 knives + 6 knives = <<10+6=16>>16 knives
Then find the initial number of spoons Carolyn has: 6 knives * 3 spoons/knife = <<6*3=18>>18 spoons
Then find the final number of spoons Carolyn has: 18 spoons - 6 spoons = <<18-6=12>>12 spoons
Then find the total final amount of silverware Carolyn has: 12 spoons + 16 knives + 12 forks = <<12+16+12=40>>40 pieces
Then divide the number of knives by the total number of pieces and multiply by 100% to express the answer as a percentage: 16 knives / 40 pieces * 100% = 40%
#### 40