Summer has us exploring all kinds of non-wool options for our projects, and we are inspired by the latest eco-friendly option to hit space: Ispie’s Raffia yarn.

Spun from cotton cellulose, Ispie Raffia is a durable, breathable, and natural rayon fibre. Its soft but sturdy texture makes it suitable for a wide range of projects. We have some words of wisdom on working with raffia from designer Olga:

“Raffia, or sometimes spelled as Raphia, is a straw-type yarn that is composed entirely of rayon. Original raffia is produced from Raffia palms, the genus Raphia of raffia palms. However, this yarn is a plant-based yarn that is surprising in its many uses and its durability and versatility.

Among various types available in the market, Ispie “Raffia” is singular, reflecting the best available quality for various projects that you may consider for crafting – especially for summer! Used by various fashion houses to produce many trendy summer accessories in the past and current seasons, this Raffia is superior in quality. Presensented on neat rolls this wide tape yarn is smooth and silky to handle, yet the noise created while handling it produces a soothing sound of rustling. And it is incredibly easy to use for crocheting hats, bags, and a variety of household items that you might find useful. As well as can easily be used for knitting, whenever the temperatures require for lightweight novelty garments as well.

You can choose to pre-steam your raffia if desired however not necessary as that process can be done once your project is completed. Joining this yarn might seem tricky, the best way is by gently spreading the width of the tape on both ends and using school glue to overlap an inch or two of it and letting it dry, will keep it in place and produce a completely invisible join.

The durability of this yarn is quite remarkable, as you can easily unravel your project, then revive your raffia “noodles” by simply steaming it and allowing it to dry. Then it will be ready for use once again. Using steam when blocking your finished projects is preferred; however, you may submerge your finished projects in water for a gentle soak to bring them to a finished state or for cleaning with confidence.”

Yarn Details:

• Aran weight
• 100% rayon/viscose
• 273 yards (250 meters)
• 125 grams (4.41 ounces)
• 16.0 sts = 4 inches/ 2.5mm – 4mm (G)
• Hand wash
• $15

Our Pattern Picks:

Whirl Tote

Size

Length – approx. 24” / 61 cm; Width – approx. 18” / 46 cm

Materials

• ISPIE “Raffia” (100% viscose); 273 yds / 250 m per 120 g / 4.23 oz;
  3 rolls
• Size C-D / (3 mm)
  OR use size to obtain gauge

Gauge

21 sts and 9 rows in 4” / 10 cm worked in Centered Double Crochet pattern, measured once dry after blocking

Raffia Japanese Knot Bag

Size

Finished measurements Width of bag = 33 cm/13 inches. Height of bag = 22 cm/8.5 inches. Height of longest strap = 26 cm/10 inches. Height of shorter strap = 16 cm/6 inches. Width of strap = 8 cm/3 inches.

Materials

• 1 x Ispie Raffia
  100g = 250m/273 yards.
• 5.50 mm (US 9) knitting needles.
  The bag is worked back and forth on the needles – knit flat.

Monarch Butterfly Bag

Size

Finished bag: 23″ [58.5 cm] wide and 20 ” [52 cm] tall / Strap: 1 ” [3.5 cm] wide and 13″ [33 cm] long

Materials

• Ispie Raffia (100% rayon/viscose; 100 g / 273 yd / 250 m)– 3 spools
•  One 32” 80 cm circ in size US 2 / 3 mm
  Or size to obtain gauge

Pari Pari

Size

SIZES
1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Bust circumference: 36 (40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64)“ / 91.5 (101.5, 112, 122, 132, 142, 152.5, 162.5) cm
The summer top version is intended to be worn with 2-4” of positive ease.
Cropped body length: 7 (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 12)” / 18 (18, 20.5, 23, 25.5, 28, 30.5, 30.5) cm
Regular body length: 11 (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 16)” / 28 (28, 30.5, 33, 35.5, 38, 40.5, 40.5) cm
Cap sleeve length: 1” / 2.5 cm
Short sleeve length: 5” / 13 cm
Three-quarter sleeve length: 11” / 28 cm

Materials

• Bulky weight Raffia: Cropped length with cap sleeves: 330 (375, 460, 560, 665, 780, 900, 1000) yds / 302 (343, 421, 512, 608, 713, 823, 914) m
  Regular length with cap sleeves: 525 (575, 700, 800, 940, 1065, 1200, 1300) yds / 480 (526, 640, 732, 860, 974, 1097, 1189) m
• For Short Sleeves, an additional: 80 (85, 100, 100, 115, 115, 120, 125) yds / 73 (78, 91, 91, 105, 105, 110, 114) m
  For Three-quarter Sleeves, an additional: 160 (160, 190, 210, 225, 230, 250, 260) yds / 146 (146, 174, 192, 206, 210, 229, 233) m
• US 11 (8 mm) 16” circular and set of 5 dpns (or two circulars or long circular for working magic loop)
• US 11 (8 mm) 24”-32” circular
• US 10 (6 mm) 16” circular (optional, for tighter neckline)
  OR use size to obtain gauge

Gauge

12 sts and 18 rows = 4” / 10 cm in St st worked in the round on larger size needle measured once dry after washing and blocking.

Raffia Boater Hat

Materials

• One Spool of Ispie Raffia
• 3.5 mm (E) hook

Raffia Slip In Sandals

Size

• Small = US 2 – 5 / EU 34-37
  Medium = US 6 – 8 / EU 38-40
  Large = 9-11 / EU 41-43

Materials

• RAFFIA: Any brand obtaining gauge-info in pattern.
  Amount: 50 – 75 g (1.8 – 2 oz) depending on size.
• Crochet hook:
  Toe-cap: 3,5 mm (E/4).
  Remaining slipper: 4 mm (US G/6).

Raffia Beach Hat

Size

2 brim sizes, 6″ wide brim  and 5″ brim

Materials

1. Crochet raffia yarns, 400 – 540 yards (366 – 494 m)
2. Crochet hook 2.5mm
3. Stitch marker
4. Tapestry needle