Furoshiki Afloat: Finding Beauty, Simplicity and Sustainability on a Narrowboat

I was already in love with furoshiki — the Japanese art of wrapping and carrying with fabric — long before this visit. But spending a few days aboard Glen’s narrowboat has given that love a deeper, more grounded meaning.

Life on the canal has its own pace. Days start with the soft knock of water against the hull, tea steaming gently in hand, and end with the glow of lanterns reflected in ripples outside the window. It’s a world that moves slowly, thoughtfully, with an appreciation for the small things. And as I settled into the rhythm of boat life, I began to see how naturally furoshiki fits into this way of living.

On a narrowboat, space is precious. Every item has to be useful, often in more ways than one. There’s beauty in that practicality — and that’s where furoshiki shines. A simple square of fabric can transform endlessly: a carry bag for market veg, a gift wrap for something handmade, a hanging pouch for herbs or fruit in the galley. Each fold and knot creates something new, something purposeful.

What I’ve always loved about furoshiki is its sense of mindful creativity. It isn’t about perfection; it’s about connection — to the materials, to the act of making, and to the environment around us. Using furoshiki encourages us to pause and consider: can this piece of fabric do more? Can I reuse what I already have? It’s a small but powerful act of sustainability, one that doesn’t shout but quietly endures.

Being a guest on Glen’s boat, surrounded by the gentle flow of canal life, brought that philosophy to life. There’s something poetic about watching fabric sway gently with the boat’s movement — the folds catching the light, the knots holding strong, yet soft enough to untie and begin again. It felt like a metaphor for sustainable living itself: adaptable, balanced, and full of intention.

As Creative Director of Hello Get Knotted, I spend a lot of time thinking about how creativity and sustainability weave together — not as opposites, but as partners. Our community celebrates that union: finding joy in reuse, beauty in imperfection, and purpose in play. Seeing our furoshiki bags and wraps come to life on the water reminded me of why we do what we do — to inspire people to make, to reuse, and to reconnect with the simple pleasure of creating with their hands.

I’ve shared some of my favourite photographs from the trip — furoshiki bags draped on deck, hanging from wooden hooks inside the cabin, or resting beside the window as the world drifts by. Each image tells a small story about design meeting daily life, creativity meeting calm, and fabric meeting flow.

Perhaps that’s what I love most about furoshiki: it’s endlessly personal. No two wraps are ever quite the same. Each one carries its own energy, its own memory. And when you bring it into a space like a narrowboat — where life is lived slowly, intentionally, and in harmony with nature — it feels right at home.

✨ Have you tried furoshiki, or found creative ways to bring sustainability into your everyday rhythm? We’d love to hear your stories — and see how you’re getting knotted, wherever you are.