Silk Hearts are one of Hollow Knight: Silksong’s rarest upgrades. Silk Hearts actually augment Hornet’s Silk attacks, which fuel basic moves like Bind. Normally, Hornet must attack enemies to refill her spool of Silk. With a Silk Heart, however, when her spool is depleted, it will refill one notch — giving her that much-desired second wind during long battles.
There are only three Silk Hearts in the game, each tied to a demanding trial or boss battle. Here’s how to claim them all.
First Silk Heart – The Marrow
The earliest Silk Heart can be found in The Marrow, but the route to it is blocked by heavy silk strands. To cut through them, you’ll need the Silk Spear, an ability obtained in Mosshome.
Return to The Marrow once you have obtained Silk Spear. Climb up from Bone Bottom until you are at the crossroads where the Bell Beast is waiting in ambush. The beast is protecting the upgrade, and by killing it, a glowing ball of Silk is dropped.
Touch the orb to unlock an unusual “silk realm” where falling platforms will make you run constantly. Rush upwards until you reach a firm platform with a lever. You need to hit it a couple of times to raise the platform, climb higher, and at the top section you will acquire the first Silk Heart.
Second Silk Heart – The Unravelled in Whiteward
The second Silk Heart is tied to Whiteward, one of Pharloom’s strangest areas. To unlock it, you’ll need the White Key, found in Songclave, the small town near the First Temple in the Citadel’s northeast.
Walk past the temple entrance to the far end, where a fence blocks the way, and pick up the key lying on the ground. Take it to the Citadel lift to unlock access to Whiteward.
From Whiteward, go up and right until you reach a fork, and break the left-hand wall. Above you’ll see a ring-shaped lever. Grapple to it along the Clawline to pick up the Surgeon’s Key — which you’ll require in order to access the boss room.
This triggers a fight with The Unravelled, a stern guardian of the area. Defeat it and make your way further in the room to obtain the orb that enables the second Silk Heart. Hornet once again faints for a moment to trigger a short trial of platforming. Complete it to possess the upgrade.
Third Silk Heart – Lace in Cogwork Core
The final Silk Heart is connected to Hornet’s constant foe, Lace, within Cogwork Core. To reach her, proceed through the doorway from Choral Chambers via The Cradle, the elevator trip, and push deeper into halls of machinery.
Early in Core, go through the left door with a weak light and the paired sign of a bench. Enter in, climb the wall next to the sleeping warrior, and step on the pressure plate to display the map of the area. Strike the wheel above to activate the bench, then move forward.
You will at some point be forced to battle Lace again. This battle is tough, but defeating it rewards Hornet with both the third Silk Heart and White Knight. Once more, she faints for a moment before regaining consciousness in a small challenge room. Finish up the trial to get the final heart.
