How to Tie Raffia

Raffia ribbon is made from the dried leaflets of the raffia palm tree.

Raffia is a soft, pliable, straw-like material harvested from the raffia palm tree in Madagascar. The leaflets on the raffia tree can grow up to 60 feet long and are used by natives of Madagascar for basket-weaving, hat-making and tying up fresh vegetables. Raffia is used in many crafts and for decorative purposes, lending a natural look to wreaths, gift boxes and more.

Things You'll Need

• 4 1/2 feet raffia
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Lay a 4 1/2-foot strand of raffia over the open palm of one hand so there's a 7-inch tail hanging over the side of your hand closest to you.

2. Wrap the remaining length of raffia around your hand, as if your hand was a spool. Keep your hand with the palm facing up and wrap the raffia underneath your hand so it's flush with the backside of your hand, then up and across the palm again. Repeat this step until you have only 7 inches left hanging over the side of your hand that faces away from you.

3. Slip the loops of raffia off your hand, keeping them together. Pinch the center of the loops together with your index finger and thumb to make the loops look like a bow.

4. Wrap one loose end of the raffia around the pinched center two or three times, then hold it in place with your index finger and thumb. Repeat with the other end of the raffia, wrapping in the other direction two or three times.

5. Tie the two ends in a knot. Separate the 4- to 5-inch strands that are hanging and do the same with the raffia in the bow loops to make a full-looking raffia bow.

Tips & Warnings

• If you want only a raffia bow with no ribbon-like ends, you can cut them off with scissors after knotting the ends.

• Use craft glue, ribbon or tape to secure a raffia bow.

References

• Raffia Online: About Raffia
• Holiday Crafts and Creations: How to Make a Bow: Raffia Bow