Crochet Raffia Bag: A Summer Straw Tote in Paper Raffia
A structured straw-look tote crocheted in paper raffia, which holds its shape without stiffener and shrugs off light rain. Everything you need to know about working with raffia, plus a simple oval-base tote.
Pattern at a glance
US terms- Skill level
- Easy
- Yarn
- Paper raffia, about 250 yd (two 125 yd rolls)
- Hook
- 5 mm (H-8)
- Time
- About 6 hours
- Finished size
- About 12 × 10 in, 2 in base (30 × 25 × 5 cm)
You'll need
- Paper raffia — about 250 yd
- 5 mm (H-8) hook
- Stitch markers
- Leather or bamboo handles (optional)
- Tapestry needle with a large eye
In this post
Paper raffia is a twisted paper ribbon that crochets into a stiff, straw-like fabric. It makes summer bags that stand up on their own without stiffener, and it tolerates a light splash. It's less forgiving than yarn — it doesn't stretch and shows every stitch — so tight, even single crochet looks best. This tote has an oval base and straight sides.
The rest of this post is just below — free, as always.
Working with raffia
- Hook: A 4–5 mm metal or wooden hook with a smooth throat. Plastic hooks drag.
- Tension: Keep it loose and even; raffia doesn't recover if you pull a stitch too tight.
- Flatten: If the ribbon twists, let the roll spin freely in a bowl.
- Joins: Overlap the old and new ends by 2 in and crochet over both, then trim.
- Shaping: Lightly mist the finished bag, stuff it with a towel to shape, and let it dry.
The tote
- Rnd 1: Ch 36. Sc in the 2nd ch, sc in the next 33, 3 sc in the last ch; along the other side sc 33, 2 sc in the first ch. Place a marker. (72)
- Rnd 2: 2 sc in the first st, sc 33, 2 sc in each of the next 3, sc 33, 2 sc in each of the last 2. (78)
- Rnd 3: (Sc, inc), sc 33, (sc, inc) × 3, sc 33, (sc, inc) × 2. (84)
- Rnd 4: Sc in the back loop only of each st — the edge turns up. (84)
- Rnds 5–36: Sc in each st in a spiral. (84)
- Handles (Rnd 37): Fold flat, mark 14 sts in the centre of each side. Sc to the marked sts, ch 40, skip 14, and repeat on the other side.
- Rnds 38–40: Sc in each st and ch. Sl st around and fasten off.
Raffia vs yarn for summer bags
| Material | Structure | Water | Feel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper raffia | Stiff, stands up | Light splashes only | Crisp, straw-like |
| Cotton cord | Firm | Washable | Soft, matte |
| Jute | Very stiff | Avoid getting wet | Rough, rustic |
For an open beach bag that lets sand through, use the V-stitch beach bag. Make a matching bucket hat in raffia with the same tips, and add a fabric lining with this method so small items don't slip through.
Common questions
Can you get a raffia bag wet?
Paper raffia tolerates light rain or splashes, but don't soak it. If it gets wet, reshape it and let it dry stuffed with a towel.
What hook size is best for paper raffia?
A 4–5 mm smooth metal or wooden hook. Go smaller for a stiffer bag.
Is raffia hard to crochet with?
It's stiffer and less stretchy than yarn, so it's harder on the hands. Take breaks and keep your tension relaxed.
Natural or a bright raffia colour? 🌾
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