Radiant Raffia: 20 Inspiring Crochet Projects Made With Natural Yarn

by Olga Panagopoulou

Overview

Learn how to crochet 20 beautiful objects in raffia from bags, hats and belts to cushions, vases and table decorations.

Get your hooks ready for a crochet book which brings the warmth of summer all year round. Patterns, charts and stunning photography are intertwined to create an inspiring atmosphere where the land, sea, textures and colours of the Greek islands work in harmony with the materials and techniques.

Through step-by-step instructions discover 20 beautiful projects which show you how you can make stylish items which are 100% plant-based and eco-friendly.

Mindful and relaxing, enjoy crocheting with raffia to create lovely gifts for friends and family or fashionable summer-inspired pieces to keep for yourself. Radiant Raffia is the essential modern guide to this must-have accessory.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781789941975
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	02/22/2024
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	128
Sales rank:	896,178
File size:	187 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

OLGA PANAGOPOULOU was born in Athens where she lived practising law for many years until she turned to full-time crocheting and moved to live closer to nature. Olga is inspired by the colours, textures, materials and seasonal changes of her surroundings which she translates into patterns. She now lives in Syros, a dreamy island in the Cyclades, with her family. She can be found on Instagram @plextopattern.
Olga Panagopoulou was born in Athens where she lived practicing law for many years until she turned to full-time crocheting and moved to live closer to nature. Olga gets inspired by the colours, textures, materials and seasonal changes of her surroundings, which she translates into patterns. She now lives in Syros, a dreamy island in the Cyclades, with her family. She can be found online at @plextopattern.

Table of Contents

Introduction
About This Book
Reading Patterns and Charts
Abbreviations and Symbols
Part 1: Accessories
1. Net Tote Bag
2. Shoulder Tote Bag
3. Drawstring Bag
4. Celtic Weave Handbag
5. Spike Stitch Handbag
6. Summer Hat
7. Celtic Weave Cuff
8. Flowery Headband
9. Disc Belt
10. Chain Loops Belt
Part 2: Home
11. Rectangular Cushion
12&13. Ornamental Baubles
14. Lace Stitch Tablecloth
15. Hanging Basket
16. Flowerpot Basket
17. Oval Basket
18. Rhombus Basket
19. Cone Vase
20. Flexible Vase
Special Stitches
Suppliers

Editorial Reviews

04/01/2024

Panagopoulou debuts with an elegant guide to creating accessories and homeware from raffia, “the fibre produced from the membrane found on the underside of leaf fronds.” Surveying different variants of the material, Panagopoulou explains that raffia viscose is durable yet flexible, whereas raffia paper string is “very stable and solid” but “rougher, tougher and definitely more difficult to crochet with.” She walks readers through the quirks of crocheting with the fiber, noting that raffia viscose can be shaped with a steam iron and recommending steel or aluminum crochet hooks because the “smoothness of metal... works well with the texture” of the material. The accessory patterns describe how to make a sturdy Celtic weave handbag from crossed front post trebles worked in the round, as well as a summer sun hat that “uses simple waistcoat stitch to give it structure.” Decorative items include a lace tablecloth, ornamental baubles, and a striking flexible vase with a malleable pinched exterior. Patterns are both written out and charted for maximum ease of use, and the idyllic photos modeling the items on the beaches of Syros, the Greek island where Panagopoulou lives, enchant. Intermediate and experienced crocheters eager to branch out from yarn will want to give this a spin. (May)

Publishers Weekly

Panagopoulou debuts with an elegant guide to creating accessories and homeware from raffia (...) Patterns are both written out and charted for maximum ease of use, and the idyllic photos modeling the items on the beaches of Syros, the Greek island where Panagopoulou lives, enchant. Intermediate and experienced crocheters eager to branch out from yarn will want to give this a spin.” —Publishers Weekly

“A must-have for budding crafters who are longing for summer projects on their hooks and wish to tackle a new fibre... The step-by-step instructions and summer-inspired imagery make crafting a breeze, encouraging you to take on a new challenge and develop your skills.” —Simply Crochet

“All levels of crocheters will find Olga's book truly inspirational... Radiant Raffia is an essential guide to fashionable summer-inspired pieces.” —Machine Knitting Monthly

“The perfect crochet companion for a year of sustainable stitching.” —Crochet Now

From the Publisher

07/01/2024

Raffia is a natural fiber that comes from leaf fronds of the raffia palm tree. Used historically to make woven products, it is not often considered for crochet. But crocheter Panagopoulou's debut collection rectifies that misconception and features 20 crochet projects using the natural material. Divided into three parts—accessories, homewares, and special stitches—the book details which raffia yarns to use, which hooks to use, and the best way to care for raffia pieces. The accessory section highlights many patterns (including beach-related ones for large bags, a sun hat, belts, and more) that would be suitable for a trip to the author's Greek island home. The homeware section features baskets and vases. The raffia that's best for crocheting is neither commonly stocked in big-box stores nor found in many yarn shops, but Panagopoulou does include a list of sources to order raffia; only a couple are located in the U.S. Readers may find that other natural yarns, such as cotton, are a suitable substitution for some of the patterns. VERDICT A lovely, recommended book for crocheters with intermediate or advanced skills, but acquiring the recommended materials might be difficult.—Lynnanne Pearson

Library Journal