About Green Goods
Sustainable Cotton Chair Pads Made from Leftover Threads
A Friendly Encounter with
In spring 2021, while visiting Fukuyama City for an exhibition, I had the chance to meet the factory manager of KAIHARA CO., LTD. That meeting led to a simple yet inspiring question: “Could leftover yarn be used to make chair pads?”
KAIHARA CO., LTD. began in 1893 as a weaving workshop for Bingo Kasuri, and has since grown into a world-class denim factory, producing for brands like Uniqlo and Levi’s. They manage everything in-house—from spinning and dyeing to finishing—and they’re also deeply committed to the environment, using advanced wastewater recycling systems.
Exploring Rope-Dyed Yarn
After many discussions and trials with different yarns, we decided to use KAIHARA surplus rope-dyed cotton yarn. This method—unique to KAIHARA—involves dipping bundled cotton threads into dye and then exposing them to air to develop rich color. Repeating the process 6 to 12 times allows the outer layer to absorb color while the core remains lighter, giving the yarn beautiful depth.
KAIHARA CO., LTD. hope is to upcycle this leftover yarn to reduce waste and create new value. And for me, it was the perfect beginning.
Chair Pads Born from Leftover Yarn
I first learned about knotting at the Kurashiki Honzome Handweaving Institute, where I was taught that these chair pads originally came from reusing leftover yarn from canvas production. Now, living in Hiroshima and receiving yarn from KAIHARA CO., LTD. —just a few towns away—feels like a meaningful connection.
The Charm of Cotton Yarn
Unlike the bold look of wool, the cotton yarn from KAIHARA is soft in both texture and tone. It blends beautifully even with multiple colors and resists fading thanks to its chemical dyes. The yarn is loosely twisted, giving it a smooth, slightly glossy finish. That said, it’s thick and takes more time and effort to work with than wool. Thinner cotton yarn tends to flatten, making patterns less visible in the final piece.
Because these are leftover yarns, color availability varies, so I design each mat based on what’s on hand at the time.
While I can’t produce large quantities, I treasure this partnership with KAIHARA and am committed to continuing this sustainable cotton knotting line as a special summer product.