Join local designer Olga Buraya-Kefelian to create a crochet raffia tote! This adorable bag is created entirely using the granny square technique. Cleverly designed, this tote folds up small and flat, making it the perfect purse to pack for a trip. Olga will teach you the best ways to work with raffia, a unique plant material that makes durable and washable accessories.
Skills needed:
This workshop is an advanced beginner-level workshop. Students should be able to chain, single crochet (sc), and double crochet (dc), and should have completed a crochet project previously. Basic understanding of US crochet terminology is also required.
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
- Working stitch pattern to create right side rows only
- Flat seaming
- Blocking raffia
- Fabric treatment for your finished tote
Sizes and Materials:
Available tote sizes: Small (Medium, Large)
- 546 (819, 1092) yards of raffia yarn: ISPIE “Raffia” (100% viscose); 273 yards 2 (3, 4) rolls or ISPIE “Hank Pack Raffia” (100% viscose); 250 yds 3 (4, 5) hanks.
- 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 (available from local craft store or office supply shop)
- A set of 24” (60 cm) (or your preferred length) handles (available at fibre space)
- Copy of CUBE tote pattern, available for purchase from the designer
Homework: Following the example in this video, pre-steam, dry, then wind back onto the roll approximately 10 yards of your raffia yarn. Do not cut it from the roll/hank.
