Puppen und Abhaspeln der Kokons Abb. The silkworm then begins to change into a chrysalis and then into a moth. Sortieren der Kokons Abb. To obtain filament silk from the cocoon after stifling, the cocoons are sorted for fiber size, fiber quality and defects, then brushed to find the ouside ends of the filaments. Several filaments are gathered together and wounded unto a reel.
Some women prefer a log fire because they say it is easier to control the heat.
A clay pot or metal cauldron of water containing silk cocoons is placed over the fire and the water temperature kept just below boiling-point. Hot water releases the silk filaments which are drawn up through a forked bamboo batten from between ten and twenty cocoons at a time and twisted to form a single silk strand. The strand then passes over a conducting reel and on to a bamboo spool or is reeled into a basket. An experienced silk reeler can tell if the denier alters by the feel of the thread as it passes through her fingers. If the denier feels thinner she will automatically attach additional filaments.