Origami Raffia Tote Workshop with Olga Buraya-Kefelian

Get excited to create this modern fun accessory using raffia in our weekend workshop! Fun to wear and easy to pack for your next vacation, this tote is created using the granny square technique.  We will learn not just how to make them in the round but also how to use short rows, which are attributed to the tote’s shaping. Grab a pair of your favorite leather handles or crochet a set to match. Olga has customized the stitch patterning to give this bag design a better structure, while the tote’s bottom instructions come with various options to suit your level of adventure and wonder!

Skills needed: students need to know how to do basic crochet, cast on, and understand US crochet terminology

Skills learned:

• Introduction to all things raffia – how to treat it, troubleshoot it, join it, and adapt its use to your liking.
• Working granny squares in the round and flat.
• Working several types of custom stitch patterns.
• Flat seaming.
• Blocking raffia.
• Treatments to make your finished tote last.

Materials:

Available tote sizes: Extra Small (Small, Medium, Large)

• 237 (539, 818, 990) yards of raffia yarn. Please purchase ISPIE “Raffia” (100% viscose); 273 yards; 1 (2, 3, 4) rolls from fibre space in the color of your choosing.
• Crochet Hook Size D/3.0 (3.25 mm)
• Crochet Hook Size E/4.0 (3.5 mm) (optional) for Slipped hdc pattern only
• Removable stitch marker or pin
• Tapestry needle
• Scissors
• Glue Stick/School glue (not available at fibre space)

About Olga

As a daughter of a professional tailor, Olga Buraya-Kefelian acquired her understanding of clothing construction from an early age, which has progressively become more intuitive. This intuition helps her to create imaginative yet versatile knitwear. Conceived as a line for trendy and ultimately wearable knitwear, the brand is ever-evolving. Drawing her inspiration from industrial and architectural fields, combined with her passion for European and Japanese design, results in Olga’s knitwear designs infused with innovation.

As a contributing designer, author and co-author of numerous titles, the professional quality of written patterns is a recognizable feature of the Olgajazzy brand and encapsulates the exceptional standards of excellence applied across all areas of the brand.