If you head upstairs in our Alexandria store, you’ll see an eye-catching display of shimmering skeins – silky, summery ISPIE®️ Raffia yarn!
While traditional raffia fibre is sourced from the huge, sturdy leaves of Raphia palm trees, ISPIE®️ Raffia is a smooth ribbon yarn made from eco-friendly cotton cellulose. Soft, breathable, and washable, this textural yarn is perfect for totes, hats, home goods, and even garments.
This unique fibre comes in a gorgeous assortment of colors and is loads of fun to work with – if you haven’t tried it yet, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite raffia designs to inspire you, including the new PATCHIGAMI crocheted tote pattern from local designer Olga Buraya-Kefelian.(Tip: Check out Olga’s video tutorial on working with raffia!)
Yarn Details
- Aran weight
- 100% cellulose rayon
- 250 yards (228 meters) per 100-gram skein
- 16 stitches = 4″ on 2.5-4 mm crochet hook
- Hand wash gently, dry flat
- $15, in-store and on our capsule
Pattern Picks
PATCHIGAMI
Olga says:
“If you’ve made any granny squares before you know how addicting they can be. I literally couldn’t stop for a solid week making them! Along the way I had so much fun figuring out how to make more complex elements, 2-color squares, and granny triangles.
I think my enthusiasm was so great that I regretted finishing my first one too fast, so the pattern has 3 sizes so that you can make several. Size A can be steamed to fold rectangular style, or if preferred twisted style just like in my CUBE tote. Size B features the same proportions as size A, but smaller. And if you loved my PLEAT tote, size C creates a similar tall rectangular version. All 3 versions fold down flat, like magic!
I’ve included 11 video tutorials in the pattern, making it a mini-masterclass in origami-style crochet.”
Sizes
A (B, C); finished circumference 45¼ (34, 34)”, width 11¼ (11¼, 11¼)”, height 11¼ (11¼, 14)”, side depth 11¼ (5½, 5½)”.
Yarn
MC & CC: 3 (2, 2) skeins each ISPIE®️ Raffia (100% rayon; 250 yd/228 m per 120g skein).
Gauge & Suggested Hook
18 stitches & 36 rows = 4” on D/3 (3.25 mm) hook, in hdc pattern worked in the round after steam blocking.
Summer Breeze Sun Visor
Stitch multiple colors of this cute visor up to match all your summer outfits!
Sizes
One adult size; adjustable.
Yarn
1 skein ISPIE®️ Raffia (100% rayon; 250 yd/228 m per 120g skein).
Gauge & Suggested Hook
18 stitches & 18 rows = 4” on 3 mm hook, in single crochet pattern after steam blocking.
Vitok
Inspired by the traditional straw weaving of designer Olga Buraya-Kefelian’s homeland of Belarus, this textural necklace pattern is featured in Laine Let’s Crochet! Issue 2.
Sizes
1 (2, 3, 4); length 16.5 (19.5, 21.5, 27.5)”.
Yarn
1 skein ISPIE®️ Raffia (100% rayon; 250 yd/228 m per 120g skein).
Gauge & Suggested Hook
14 stitches & 20 rows = 4” on D/3 (3.25 mm) hook, in single crochet pattern after steam blocking.
Sun City Bag
Dress up this cute tote with a colorful tassel or two!
Sizes
One size; finished diameter 13″.
Yarn
2 skeins ISPIE®️ Raffia (100% rayon; 250 yd/228 m per 120g skein).
Gauge & Suggested Hook
20 stitches & 21 rows = 4” on D/3 (3.25 mm) hook, in single crochet after steam blocking.
Fais Do-Do Hat
This one’s for you knitters!
Sizes
1 (2, 3); finished circumference 21.25 (23, 24)”.
Yarn
1 (2, 2) skeins ISPIE®️ Raffia (100% rayon; 250 yd/228 m per 120g skein).
Gauge & Suggested Needle
18 stitches & 28 rows = 4” on US#7 (4.5 mm) needle, in stockinette stitch after steam blocking.
Find more of our raffia pattern picks here!
