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With paper and plastic bags falling out of favour around the world, we are left to wonder if heavy canvas bags or bulky reusable bags are the only method left to us for carrying our groceries. One eco-friendly alternative is the ancient Japanese art of Furoshiki, which uses a simple square of silk or nylon cloth as a means of wrapping and carrying just about anything. Because Furoshiki uses silk or nylon, the knots stay firmly tied, but are also very easy to untie.

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EditSteps

  1. Do Furoshiki (Wrap and Carry Things With Square Cloth) Step 1.jpg
    1
    Lay out your square cloth on the table or similar work surface. Choose a silk or nylon cloth of your liking and prepare a space where you can perform the wrapping techniques.
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  2. 2
    Try Yotsu Musubi. This is the simplest method; it is the hand-carried wrap. This method allows you to quickly and easily create a bag for carrying a large amount of food or other products.

    • Tie two opposite corners together over the food or packages sitting in the middle. The cloth should already be covering the items.
      Do Furoshiki (Wrap and Carry Things With Square Cloth) Step 2Bullet1.jpg
    • Pull across the other two corners to meet together and tie.
      Do Furoshiki (Wrap and Carry Things With Square Cloth) Step 2Bullet2.jpg
    • Grab the bag in the middle to carry.
      Do Furoshiki (Wrap and Carry Things With Square Cloth) Step 2Bullet3.jpg
  3. 3
    Try Katakake Fukuro. This is a variation of the first technique, known also as the shoulder carry-wrap. This technique allows you to make an ergonomic method of carrying a large amount of food.

    • Place items in the middle of the cloth and tie two opposite corners across the middle.
      Do Furoshiki (Wrap and Carry Things With Square Cloth) Step 3Bullet1.jpg
    • Take one of the remaining corners and tie a side knot in it (like a candy wrapper twist).
      Do Furoshiki (Wrap and Carry Things With Square Cloth) Step 3Bullet2.jpg
    • Tie the other corner in a side knot.
      Do Furoshiki (Wrap and Carry Things With Square Cloth) Step 3Bullet3.jpg
    • Pick up the bag from the middle knot.
      Do Furoshiki (Wrap and Carry Things With Square Cloth) Step 3Bullet4.jpg
    • Sling it over your shoulder to carry the goods.
      Do Furoshiki (Wrap and Carry Things With Square Cloth) Step 3Bullet5.jpg
  4. 4
    Try Suika Tsutsumi. This translates as the melon carry-wrap. It demonstrates just how strong a thin piece of cloth can be.

    • Place a 16 pound bowling ball (or your groceries) in the middle of the square cloth.
      Do Furoshiki (Wrap and Carry Things With Square Cloth) Step 4Bullet1.jpg
    • Bring up two adjacent corners and tie together in a large knot.
      Do Furoshiki (Wrap and Carry Things With Square Cloth) Step 4Bullet2.jpg
    • Tie the other two adjacent corners together.
      Do Furoshiki (Wrap and Carry Things With Square Cloth) Step 4Bullet3.jpg
    • Pick up one knot in each hand and feed one knot (A) through the hole formed by the other.
      Do Furoshiki (Wrap and Carry Things With Square Cloth) Step 4Bullet4.jpg
    • Pull up on knot (A) tightening the bag around the bowling ball. Just imagine doing that with an ordinary plastic grocery bag!
      Do Furoshiki (Wrap and Carry Things With Square Cloth) Step 4Bullet5.jpg
  5. 5
    Try Bin Tsutsumi. This shows that Furoshiki is not only functional but also decorative. This is a bottle carry wrap. This method will make a great impression on your friends and family, especially when bringing wine as a gift, or to a party.

    • Lay two bottles base to base diagonally across the middle of the square wrap. be sure to keep them about a fist's width apart.
      Do Furoshiki (Wrap and Carry Things With Square Cloth) Step 5Bullet1.jpg
    • Bring one side over both bottles to meet at the other side, forming a large triangle of the cloth.
      Do Furoshiki (Wrap and Carry Things With Square Cloth) Step 5Bullet2.jpg
    • Roll the bottles in the cloth over, like a sausage.
      Do Furoshiki (Wrap and Carry Things With Square Cloth) Step 5Bullet3.jpg
    • Roll completely until there is no wrap remaining width ways.
      Do Furoshiki (Wrap and Carry Things With Square Cloth) Step 5Bullet4.jpg
    • Lift the bottles up by picking up the two lengths at the cork end of each bottle.
      Do Furoshiki (Wrap and Carry Things With Square Cloth) Step 5Bullet5.jpg
    • Tie the two ends in a knot.
      Do Furoshiki (Wrap and Carry Things With Square Cloth) Step 5Bullet6.jpg
    • Carry.
      Do Furoshiki (Wrap and Carry Things With Square Cloth) Step 5Bullet7.jpg
  6. Do Furoshiki (Wrap and Carry Things With Square Cloth) Step 6.jpg
    6
    Keep wrapping. There are many more methods of Furoshiki that can show you how to wrap just about anything. Search the internet for more ideas. Feel free to share your personal Furoshiki experiences on wikiHow.
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EditTips

  • Throw a silk or nylon scarf in your handbag or pocket for use at any time!
  • The Japanese Minister of the Environment promotes furoshiki to reduce waste and as a symbol of Japanese culture.[1]
  • Furoshiki can be used to wrap and carry an impressive variety of things ranging from a watermelon to two bottles of wine.[2]

EditWarnings

  • A bowling ball is heavy! Do not allow it to fall on your foot (or someone else's) while testing the strength of your fabric or your wrapping technique.

EditThings You'll Need

  • Large silk or nylon scarf/square of fabric (the edges should be finished to prevent fraying)
  • Items to carry
  • Bowling ball for testing strength (optional)

EditRelated wikiHows

How to
Make a Denim Purse

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Make a Kool Aid Purse

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Sew a Reversible Bag

How to
Sew a Cloth Gift Bag

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Make a Backpack Bag

EditSources and Citations

  • Original source of article, VideoJug. Shared with permission and appreciation.
  1. ↑ http://www.env.go.jp/en/focus/060403.html
  2. ↑ http://www.env.go.jp/en/focus/attach/060403-5.html

Article Info

Featured Article

Categories: Featured Articles | Housekeeping | Sustainable Living

In other languages:

Español: Cómo hacer furishiki (envolver y cargar cosas con tela cuadrada)

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