Raffia yarn has become one of the most popular materials for crocheted bags, hats and summer accessories. Its distinctive appearance creates projects with excellent structure while giving them the timeless look associated with woven natural fibres.
What many crocheters don’t realise, however, is that not every raffia yarn is actually made from natural raffia. Today’s crochet raffia yarns are available in several different materials, each with its own characteristics and advantages.
In this guide we’ll explain what raffia yarn is, how it is made, what it is commonly used for, and how the different raffia yarns available at Swiss Crochet compare.
What is raffia yarn?
Traditionally, raffia refers to the fibres obtained from the leaves of raffia palms (Raphia species), which are native to tropical Africa and Madagascar. The fibres are separated from the leaf tissue, dried and traditionally used for weaving baskets, hats, mats, textiles and decorative items because they are both strong and flexible.
For crochet, however, the word “raffia yarn” has evolved into a broader category.
Modern crochet raffia yarns are commonly produced from:
- natural raffia palm fibres
- paper yarn made from wood pulp (cellulose)
- regenerated cellulose fibres such as rayon or viscose
These materials are processed to imitate the appearance and feel of traditional raffia while providing more consistent thickness and continuous lengths that are practical for crochet. Paper raffia is manufactured from cellulose derived from wood pulp, while rayon raffia is produced by regenerating cellulose into smooth fibres before forming the yarn.
Although these yarns differ in composition, they all share the characteristic raffia appearance that makes them ideal for structured accessories.
What is raffia yarn used for?
Unlike wool or cotton, raffia yarn has no stretch. This allows finished projects to maintain their shape without requiring heavy reinforcement.
For this reason, raffia yarn is especially popular for:
- handbags
- market bags
- beach bags
- summer hats
- baskets
- storage containers
- placemats
- home décor accessories
Many crocheters also appreciate raffia because it creates a lightweight fabric with a distinctive woven appearance that works particularly well for warm-weather accessories.
Raffia yarns available at Swiss Crochet
Swiss Crochet currently offers five different raffia-style yarns, each with its own construction and intended use.
Nakyang Daol
Daol is unique within the collection because it has a round, twisted construction rather than the flat tape structure commonly associated with raffia yarn.
Its paper-based construction creates well-defined stitches while making it comfortable to crochet. The rounded profile also produces a more “traditional” yarn appearance than flat raffia tapes.
Nakyang Summer Raffia
Summer Raffia is made from 100% rayon, giving it a noticeably smoother surface and a subtle sheen.
It combines excellent stitch definition with durability and is particularly well suited for bags and hats that benefit from a refined finish.
Daruma Sasawashi Flat
Produced in Japan, Sasawashi Flat is an exceptionally fine flat paper yarn.
Its lightweight construction makes it suitable for delicate accessories and projects where a finer texture is desired.
MärchenArt Manila Hemp Yarn
Despite its name, Manila Hemp Yarn is made from specially processed paper rather than natural hemp fibres.
It is also the only yarn in the collection available in beautiful speckled (semi-solid) colourways, giving projects additional visual depth.
MärchenArt Manila Hemp Yarn Double
This thicker version of Manila Hemp Yarn offers the same flat paper construction but works up faster thanks to its greater thickness.
Its flat construction creates attractive stitch definition while offering a natural matte finish.
Comparing the different raffia yarns
Choosing the right raffia yarn depends largely on the appearance and texture you want for your finished project.
Construction
The biggest difference is the yarn construction.
Only Nakyang Daol has a round, twisted structure.
The remaining four yarns are flat, untwisted tapes, creating the classic raffia look.
Finish
If you compare the yarns side by side, another difference quickly becomes visible.
- Summer Raffia has a slight sheen thanks to its rayon composition.
- All paper-based yarns have a natural matte finish.
This makes Summer Raffia particularly suitable for projects where you would like a slightly more polished appearance.
Colour selection
Each yarn offers a different colour palette.
- Manila Hemp Yarn Double and Daruma Sasawashi Flat focus mainly on neutral shades.
- Manila Hemp Yarn combines a wide range of solid colours with distinctive speckled (semi-solid) options.
- Daol and Summer Raffia offer a wider range of solid colours suitable for colourful summer accessories.
Material
Although all of these yarns belong to the raffia category, they are not made from the same material.
- Summer Raffia is produced from 100% rayon.
- Daol, Sasawashi Flat, Manila Hemp Yarn, and Manila Hemp Yarn Double are produced from specially processed paper manufactured in South Korea or Japan using different production methods.
The different manufacturing processes give each yarn its own feel, flexibility and appearance.
Thickness
From the finest to the thickest, the yarns can be ordered as follows:
1. Daruma Sasawashi Flat
2. Nakyang Daol
3. MärchenArt Manila Hemp Yarn / Nakyang Summer Raffia
4. MärchenArt Manila Hemp Yarn Double
This makes it easy to select the most appropriate yarn depending on the level of detail and structure required by your project.
Choosing the right raffia yarn for your project
The answer depends on the project you want to make and the look you would like to achieve.
If you prefer a rounded, twisted yarn with clearly defined stitches, Daol is an excellent choice.
If you’re looking for a subtle sheen and a smoother finish, Summer Raffia offers a distinctive appearance thanks to its rayon composition.
For projects with a natural matte finish, the paper yarns are an excellent option. Sasawashi Flat is the finest yarn in the collection, while Manila Hemp Yarn and Manila Hemp Yarn Double are thicker alternatives. Manila Hemp Yarn is also available in distinctive speckled colourways for projects with a little extra visual interest.
Whichever yarn you choose, raffia opens up endless possibilities for creating beautiful crochet bags, hats, baskets and other summer accessories. Each yarn has its own character, making it worth exploring which one best matches your next project.
