Silk is a resource mainly obtained from Spiders. It can be used to make many useful items like the Sanity-restoring Top Hat, the Boomerang, the Winter Hat, for moderate protection from cold Winters, the Fishing Rod and Bird Traps, among other things.
Reign of Giants
In the Reign of Giants DLC, harvesting a Tumbleweed can grant Silk. Webber also grows a beard that can be shaved to gain Silk.
Usage
Gathering
Silk is generally found after killing different types of Spiders. It has an approximate drop chance of 25% per kill. Silk is also dropped in bulk from the destruction of Spider Dens. A large Den yields 6 units of Silk, a medium Den 4 units, and a small Den 2. Spider Dens will not drop any Silk if burned; it all turns to Ashes, although Silk already on the ground will not light up. Spider Queens drop 4 Silk (along with a Spiderhat) when killed.
| Source | Amount | Chance |
|---|---|---|
    
|
1 | 25% |
|
2 / 4 / 6 | 100% |
|
4 | 100% |
  
|
1 / 3 / 6 | 100% |
 (Befriended)
|
1 | N/A |
|
1 | 1% |
|
|
1 | 25% |
|
1 | 1% |
 
|
5 | N/A |
Farming
Silk farming using Pigs.
Spiders on their own are not dangerous because consecutive hits on a Spider stun-locks them, causing them to become unable to strike back. Spiders in groups should be dealt with using proper fighting equipment (Log Suit and Spear obtainable early in game), or use Traps, unless you are experienced.
Silk can be easily farmed using a Trap. Spiders and Spider Warriors will not make any attempt to avoid traps or obstacles, so the player can safely lure them to follow and lead them straight into the trap. The Spiders will be instantly killed and will drop its loot once the player picks up the trap.
A good strategy is to locate and destroy a tier 3 Spider Den to obtain a Spider Egg (using fire will burn the Eggs too). The Spider Egg will allow the player to place a tier 1 Spider Den down anywhere they choose. Placing one near the player's base will allow them to have easy access to a steady stream of spawning Spiders. A Spider Den can also be placed near a large Pig Village so that spawning Spiders are killed by the Pigs, dropping their Silk on ground. The Den itself is ignored by the Pigs.
Unless the player wants a Spiderhat, Spider Dens should be destroyed soon after they reach tier 3 because, after 12.5 days at tier 3, they have a chance of turning into a Spider Queen. A tier 3 Den will always drop a Spider Egg (as well as 6 Silk), enabling a new tier 1 Den to be placed without having to deal with the Queen.
