How to Crochet With Raffia
Raffia is harvested from a genus of palm trees located in tropical areas of Africa, and predominantly in Madagascar. You should be able to find it at a store that supplies chair-caning products or craft supplies. Raffia fibers are taken from the membrane of the frond or leaf of the palm trees. The reed-like material is useful for making sun hats, hand fans or floor mats. Select an I or J hook to crochet raffia strips that are one-half inch wide. A smaller hook is best for fine pieces of the fiber.
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Instructions
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Flatten out the raffia pieces. Tear the raffia into manageable strips that are all the same width with your fingers.
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Attach a raffia strip to your crochet hook using the same technique that you use with yarn.
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Wrap the raffia fiber around the hook and draw it through the loop on the hook for the first stitch of the foundation chain. You may have to tug on the raffia piece, as it has a stiff consistency compared to yarn or thread.
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Make a foundation chain. Follow a pattern to create the project that you wish to make. Crochet slowly until you get used to working with the natural fiber.
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Add a second piece of raffia fiber by laying it along the first piece and crocheting them both together. This is different than crocheting with yarn, which you would normally tie together to join. The excess fiber from the raffia pieces will stick out to the side of the chain or row. You will be able to crochet over it in the next row.
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Trim away any short raffia fibers that stick out from the project after you have finished crocheting it.
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Tips & Warnings
If the raffia strip splits during the crochet process, remove the hook from the stitch. Hold the split sides together and make the stitch over again.
Crocheting with raffia can be hard on your hands. It has little give to it and can stress your joints. Rest your hands often while making a raffia project.
References
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