Kaniew Silk
Kaniew silk, also known as twisted strand silk, is a high-class weave often used for rituals such as covering Bai Sri or covering corpses. Weaving Kaniew requires meticulous attention and patience, involving multiple complex steps. The Kaniew pattern takes inspiration from the squirrel's tail, resulting in colorful patterns resembling the movement of a squirrel. This cloth is a part of Thai-Khmer heritage, featuring twisted silk strands, often in combinations like yellow and red with black lines.
Mudmee silk cloth with squirrel tail pattern (Ka Niw)
Squirrel tail cloth is made by spinning two silk strands—either of the same or different colors—into a single strand before weaving. Most commonly, squirrel tail silk is used as warp to make the fabric stronger and more durable, while also adding dimension to the weave.
Squirrel tail cloth is often woven in patterns similar to loincloths, used as clothing for Thai people in the Northeast who were influenced by Khmer culture. Although the origin of the twisting technique is unclear, it can be found in the southern Isan region and among Khmer cultural groups in nearby areas.
The standout feature of squirrel tail silk is not only its texture but also its bright, contrasting colors, often featuring green and red tones, making it popular for clothing among teenagers.
In summary, squirrel tail silk is made by combining silk strands of different colors, typically with high contrast to create a visible overlapping effect, resembling a squirrel's tail. This fabric is known by different names in various regions, such as Yen (among Phu Thai people), Mab Mai/Klom Mai (Tai-Lao people), and Kra Niao/Kraniu (Khmer and Kui descent).
For those interested in purchasing silk for luxury dresses, please visit www.silkket.com. Our shop offers plain silk fabric, Mudmee pattern silk, local silk, and national silk, available in many shades and patterns, crafted with meticulous quality by expert technicians.
We are committed to preserving this beautiful culture. For assistance, feel free to contact the Chap Mai store team via LineOA: @chobmai. Thank you for your interest, and we are happy to serve you.
Thank You Source:
- Book: Weave Thread - Squirrel Tail Fabric Line
- Thai Textile: Top 10, Page 94