Looking for a stylish crochet raffia bag that’s lightweight, practical, and perfect for summer? This free crochet pattern combines the beautiful natural texture of raffia yarn with simple stitches to create a timeless purse you’ll enjoy carrying all season long.
Whether you’re heading to the beach, exploring a farmers market, enjoying a vacation, or simply running errands, this crochet raffia bag is the perfect handmade accessory. Its structured fabric helps the bag hold its shape while remaining surprisingly lightweight, making it ideal for everyday use.
I’m sure you’re hearing a buzz about this raffia yarn out there online, or maybe I’m still shell shocked from all this sewing and the buzzing is just in my ears. Either way, raffia has gained a lot of visibility in the fiber arts world, and for good reason.
One of the things I love most about crocheting with raffia yarn is how different it feels from traditional fibers. The viscose raffia used for this pattern creates a beautiful woven look that’s difficult to achieve with cotton or acrylic yarn. It’s durable, lightweight, and has become one of my favorite materials for making warm-weather accessories.
If you’ve never worked with raffia before, don’t worry! This crochet raffia bag pattern is beginner friendly and uses simple stitches that are easy to learn. Once you get used to the feel of the yarn, you’ll quickly discover why raffia has become so popular among crocheters.
I also think raffia opens the door to so many creative possibilities. Because it’s lightweight and comfortable to carry, it’s perfect for crochet purses, beach bags, market totes, sun hats, and other summer accessories. I already have several more raffia projects planned, so if you enjoy this pattern, be sure to sign up for my newsletter so you don’t miss any future free patterns.
Raffia is made from 100% viscose, which is basically just wood fiber. It’s really durable, biodegradable, water repellent and it’s easy to work with. So, I’m going to show you how to make a purse out of it.
I also think this stuff has a lot of potential for some totally new adventures in crochet design. It is really light and airy and it doesn’t absorb the heat from the sun, so I’ve got plans to make a summer hat and probably some other fun summer themed projects.
So stay tuned for all the fun future designs. If you haven’t already, sign up for my newsletter to not miss any of these free patterns. Ok, onto the good stuff.
Why You’ll Love This Crochet Raffia Bag
- Beginner-friendly construction
- Lightweight yet structured
- Perfect for summer outings
- Simple stitches that are easy to memorize
- Great everyday purse size
- Free written pattern
- Printable PDF available
- Video tutorial included
About the Pattern
This crochet raffia bag is designed to be both functional and stylish. The finished purse measures approximately 7.6 inches wide by 8.4 inches tall, making it the perfect size for carrying your everyday essentials without being too bulky.
Whether you dress it up for dinner, take it on vacation, or use it as your everyday summer purse, this bag has a classic look that works with almost any outfit.
Looking for More Raffia Crochet Patterns?
If you enjoy working with raffia yarn, I highly recommend checking out these free patterns next:
Shorter Brim Crochet Sun Hat Pattern
Granny Square Crochet Bag Pattern
Both make wonderful companion projects and are perfect for warm-weather crocheting.
Hope you enjoy this crochet a purse how to. It’s beginner friendly and it doesn’t require a lot of fancy extras if you don’t want them. Enjoy!
More Crochet Bag Patterns You’ll Love
If bags are your favorite projects to crochet, be sure to explore some of my other free patterns as well.
1 Crochet Bag/Clutch / 2 Crochet Sling Bag
If you’d like a video tutorial to follow along, be sure to scroll down to the bottom.
Materials
- I used about three quarter of a skein of Raffia yarn in color tile
- 4 mm crochet hook
- Scissors
- Yarn needle
- Stitch marker
*These materials contain affiliate links, for which I make a small commission. It’s no extra cost to you, makes shopping easier and helps to keep the lights on.
Stitches Used & Code ( US Term)
- ch = chain
- st = stitch(es)
- sc = single crochet
- scsp = single crochet spike st ( Make a sc one row below the one that you’re on )
- REP = repeat
- YO = yarn over hook
- ” = inches
Skill: Easy
Gauge: 15 st X19 rows = 4″
Measurements: 7.6″ Wide X 8.42″ Tall
Frequently Asked Questions
Is raffia yarn good for crochet bags?
Yes! Raffia yarn is an excellent choice for crochet bags because it’s lightweight, durable, and naturally creates a structured fabric that helps your bag hold its shape.
Can beginners crochet with raffia yarn?
Absolutely. Raffia feels a little different than traditional yarn because it has less stretch, but this pattern uses simple stitches and is a great introduction to working with the material.
Can I substitute another yarn?
You can substitute cotton yarn, but your finished bag will be softer and won’t have the same structured look or natural woven appearance that raffia provides.
Does this bag need a lining?
A lining isn’t required, but you can certainly add one if you’d like extra durability or want to keep smaller items from slipping through the stitches.
Final Thoughts
I hope you enjoy making this crochet raffia bag as much as I enjoyed designing it! Raffia yarn is one of my favorite fibers to work with for summer accessories, and I think you’ll love how lightweight, durable, and stylish the finished purse turns out.
If you make one, I’d love to see it! Share your finished project on social media and tag @knitcroaddict so I can admire your beautiful work.
Happy crocheting!
Free Crochet Raffia Bag Pattern
Note: We’re going to work in spiral so make sure to place the stitch marker into the first stitch in every round
Round 1: ch 29, 1 sc into second ch from hook and each ch across, 1 sc into each ch on the other side across. Total of 56 st
Round 2: 2 sc into first st, 1 sc into next st and each st around. Total of 57 st
Round 3: 1 sc into each st around. Total of 57 st
Round 4: *1 sc, 1 scsp into next st* REP from *TO* until you have 1 st left, 1 sc into last st. Total of 57 st (Check picture below)
Round 5: *1 scsp, 1 sc into next st* REP from *TO* until you have 1 st left, 1 scsp into last st. Total of 57 st (Check picture below)
REP Round 4 and Round 5, 15 more times. You’ll have a total of 35 rounds
Round 36 – Round 40: REP Round 3
The end of round 40 cut the yarn and weave all the ends
Crochet Purse Strap
For the crochet purse strap, I used an I-cord.
Row 1 : Leave a 6 inch long tail, then ch 3. Insert hook into second ch from hook, YO pull up a loop. Insert hook into next ch, YO pull up a loop. Total of 3 loops on hook (Check picture below)
Row 2 : Remove two loops on hook (Make sure not to lose them). With remaining loop on hook, YO pull up a loop. Insert hook into next loop, YO pull up a loop. Insert hook into next loop, YO pull up a loop. Total of 3 loops on hook (Check picture below)
Repeat row 2 until your strap reaches about 40-42 inches long or your desired length
The last row of I-Cord : With 3 loops on hook, YO pull through all the loops on hook then ch 1 to secure. Cut the yarn and leave about 6 inches tail
SEW THE STRAPS INTO THE PURSE
To sew the straps into the purse, we’re going to use the tails that we left earlier on the straps to sew into the purse on each side with the yarn needle. I sew about 3 rows down from the top part of the purse but you can adjust it how ever you like.
HERE’S THE VIDEO TUTORIAL FOR THIS CROCHET RAFFIA PURSE
Congratulations on your crochet purse, I think a lot of crochet beginners are gonna have fun with this one. Super cute, simple to work, stylish to wear. Hope you enjoy!
If you’d like to make a lining for your purse be sure to check out the tutorial here
Until next time, happy crocheting!