Why I Choose Recycled Cotton for My Macramé (and Why It Matters)

When I first started knotting, I quickly realised that the materials you choose don’t just shape how a piece looks and feels, they’re also an opportunity to make thoughtful, eco-conscious decisions.

At Sambrini Studio, I’ve made a commitment to use recycled cotton cord for all my macrame pieces. It’s not just about making something beautiful for your home, it’s about making it responsibly.

Here’s why recycled cotton matters to me (and why I think it should matter to you too).

What Is Recycled Cotton Cord?

Recycled cotton cord is made from textile waste - think off-cuts from the fashion industry, old clothing, or leftover yarn spun back into usable cord.

You’ll often see it available as single-twist, 3-ply, or braided cord, each with slightly different characteristics depending on the project.

I’ve written a separate guide explaining cord types and thicknesses in more detail, if you’re curious to learn more.

Macramé Cord Explained: Types, Sizes & How to Choose the Right One

Why Recycled Cord Is Better

Cotton is a thirsty crop. Growing new cotton uses a huge amount of water, land, and chemicals - all for fibres that are often thrown away as waste. By choosing recycled cotton, we:

🌍 Save water and energy compared to virgin cotton production.

♻️ Reduce textile waste that would otherwise end up in landfill.

🌱 Give new life to old materials while still enjoying something soft and beautiful.

And the best part? You’d never know the difference by touch. Recycled cotton cord is just as lovely (if not more so) than brand-new fibre.

Bobbiny: The Supplier I Trust

Though there are several recycled-cotton brands out there, I tend to choose Bobbiny because of their consistent quality in colour and size - I know exactly what I’m getting every time.

• Made from 100% recycled cotton.
• Produced responsibly in the EU.
• The final product is OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified, meaning no harmful substances.
• Bobbiny also holds GRS certification, as a nod to responsible recycling and manufacturing.
• Even the inner spools are eco-conscious - they’re made from recycled paper and fully biodegradable.

Here’s how the process works in their small Warsaw factory:

1. Old clothes and textile waste are collected and sorted by colour.
2. Fabrics are cut into manageable pieces, then shredded.
3. Just by blending coloured fibres (no dyes, no water, no chemicals), they achieve vibrant shades.
4. The fibres are spun into soft, fine yarn.
5. That yarn is twisted into macramé-ready cord.

Sourced to me via trusted UK suppliers, Bobbiny cord is not only eco-responsible, but also reliable and local in logistics.

Other Recycled Cotton Brands You Might Recognise

While I trust Bobbiny for its consistent colour and size, it’s not the only brand doing great work:

• ReTwisst (UK) offers recycled craft yarns in a variety of thicknesses with macramé accessories like wooden beads, rings, and dowels - perfect if you want everything in one place.
• Jolly Good Yarn (Devon-based UK brand) produces braided recycled cotton cord (around 70–85% recycled), with a lovely soft texture and no plastic core.

Both are well-regarded among makers for their quality and eco credentials, but for me, Bobbiny remains the go-to because I know exactly what I’m getting every time: consistency in texture, colour, and thickness.

Why "Cheap" Isn't Sustainable

In recent years, there's been an explosion of fast-fashion home décor - think ultra-cheap macramé-style plant hangers from sites like Shein. They’re cheap, yes. But so disposable. More often than not, they’re made from synthetic materials and end up in landfill fast.

Part of my sustainability journey has been recognising how much such products contribute to waste. I’d rather make (or you buy) just one beautiful, sustainable piece that lasts than several that don’t.

Sustainability at Sambrini Studio

As well as choosing recycled cord, I also use cord offcuts wherever I can to create zero waste products like bookmarks, jewellery and keyrings.

Beyond cord, I’m also mindful of every little detail in how I operate:

• Wooden materials: I prefer natural wood for rings, dowels, and beads wherever possible.
• Plastic-free packaging: I try not to use plastic; when I need something with similar durability, I choose biodegradable options.
• Recycling boxes: Most of my parcels go out in reused boxes - keeping waste down and cost fair.
• I also use responsible packaging company Happy Pack for bags ****or ****when I don’t have recycled boxes available.
• Reducing printed materials: Business cards? I’m phasing them out. And I’m exploring more sustainable alternatives like recycled card or even seed paper (though cost is a real consideration right now).

My Promise at Sambrini Studio

When you choose something from my shop, you’re not just getting a piece of décor. You’r supporting small scale craft and investing in something that’s handmade, eco-conscious, and designed to last.

For me, sustainability isn’t an afterthought - it’s at the heart of how I run my studio, from the cord I choose to the packaging I send your order in.

A More Sustainable Home, One Knot at a Time

Small changes add up. Choosing recycled cotton may not solve the climate crisis on its own, but it’s a simple way of reducing waste while supporting handmade craft.

✨ Shop my eco-friendly macrame collection.

✨ Or follow along on Instagram to see behind the scenes of how I work with recycled cotton every day.