Sustainable Handfasting Cords made from recycled Cotton

In this post I want to share some information about the materials I use to make my handfasting cords. Keeping the footprint of my craft as small as possible is very important to me - as is making sure that my customers are able to make informed choices. You can always get in touch with any questions that aren’t answered in this post.

Why care if your cord is sustainable?

When you are tying the knot, it’s only natural that you want everything about that moment to be just right. For many couples, that includes considering the environmental impact of their celebration. But should you also worry about the sustainability of your handfasting cord? To be fair, for most people, a handfasting cord is a once-in-a-lifetime purchase, and it is, after all, a relatively small object. However, as a symbol of your union, it could be argued that the sustainability of the cord that binds you is of particular importance.

‘Hearts Entwined’ one of the five customisable designs I offer in my 100% recycled cotton range

Whatever the reason you care about the environmental implications of your cord, here is everything you need to know about the materials I use:

My 100% recycled cotton range - the most sustainable option

Even if you are not primarily thinking of the environment, cotton can be a tempting choice to go for. Its soft texture free from synthetics is perfect for delicate skin and fits in perfectly with the aesthetic of those wanting to have more nature based, rustic, or minimalist ceremony. However, virgin cotton is actually not an environmentally friendly product: Growing cotton often involves the use of pesticides and fertilisers, it always involves using and polluting a lot of water, it degrades the soil it is grown on, and it contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. For this reason, the best kind of cotton to go for is the recycled kind.

A grey variation of my the Infinity version of my Natural Triple Love Knot

This variation of my popular Nine Knot handfasting cord design is made entirely from cotton and can easily be customised

The jumbo cord brings a modern twist to this customisable cotton infinity style

All the cotton I use in my designs is recycled - without the use of harmful dyes! Different scraps of cotton are washed and then blended together until they are the right colour. Due to this process of blending rather than dying, the colours can vary slightly from batch to batch. If you are thinking of ordering a a custom cord with these colours, you can always message me for pictures of colour combinations to see how colours go together and to check the way the current batch of that shade is swinging ;)

These are the available for the recycled sustainable cotton rope I use

What about the other materials I use?

All other rope I use to make my handfasting cords are a viscose/cotton blend. Like cotton, Viscose is a plant-based fibre. Since it’s made from fast-growing trees or recycled matter, the key question when it comes to viscose is which process is used for making it. Back when viscose was invented, it was a pretty toxic process. Fortunately, a more environmentally friendly has since been developed and the viscose/cotton blend I use has been made sustainably in the UK.

With regards to the ribbons I use to accentuate my cords, most of the ribbon I stock is made from Satin. However, I am increasingly able to access ribbon made from recycled plastic bottles which looks just the same but has a much better environmental impact. If you want to use ribbon in your cord, but want to make sure it’s the sustainable kind, simply get in touch :)

Love,

Ceo