Raffia

Dyed Madagascar Raffia

$ 10.50 USD

(5.0)

Flax & Twine Madagascar Raffia

$ 5.50 USD

(4.6)

High-Quality Natural Raffia Elevates Your Weaving Projects

We at Flax & Twine believe there is something deeply satisfying about making with your hands, and raffia adds to that joy. If you enjoy working with natural fibers, you’re going to love natural raffia. Natural Raffia can be used for so many things, including basket making, weaving, or gift wrapping. Natural raffia comes directly from the leaves of the raffia palm tree (Raphia farinifera), typically found in Madagascar. These leaves can measure up to 30 feet long! The trees stay alive while the leaves are harvested, making it a sustainable crop. Palm tree-sourced raffia typically comes in pieces around 30 - 46” long. The pieces vary in width and stiffness as they are a natural material, not machine-processed. Raffia feels like dried grass or straw, and has a natural, earthy smell as well.

Raffia is lightweight, strong, and versatile. Unlike other weaving materials, you can shape it easily as you go without needing to soak it in water, which is why so many basket makers reach for it as an alternative to more localized basket weaving material. Its lightness allows for structure in baskets without adding weight, making it easy to form into basket shapes you’ll love. Raffia is a forgiving material, creating a great sense of accomplishment even with beginners.

Explore Paper Raffia Options

If you’re looking to crochet or knit with raffia, you can do it with natural raffia, but it is much more difficult, as natural raffia comes in short pieces that can be thick or thin along the way. Paper Raffia, or Rayon Raffia, is not really raffia, but is called that for its similar, grassy, and lightweight look and feel. Paper and Rayon Raffia, though manufactured, have their own wonderful uses. We at Flax & Twine love carrying Paper Raffia as it is still made from natural materials, made from 100% paper.

Both Paper and Rayon raffia products can be made in continuous lengths and can be used to make a much broader range of crafts, but still with that raffia feeling. We love hats, bags, totes, home decor, and beachwear. Paper raffia can still work beautifully for basketry as well, especially to provide longer lengths to crochet or sew up a coiled basket.

Explore Natural, Paper & Colored Raffia Options

Choosing raffia feels a bit like picking a paint color — it sets the tone for your whole piece. Our natural raffia color offers a warm, earthy tone, while our dyed shades like Daffodil and Seagrass add color without losing that organic look. We at Flax & Twine carefully select colors that fit with an earthy and organic feeling palette, complementing your crafts. Use the natural dyed raffia for weaving, braiding, basket accents, or decorative wall decor. It also works beautifully to use raffia for gift packing or decorative detail designs on mats or bags for that natural, earthy element. The natural texture of raffia brings an organic feel to whatever you’re creating.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is raffia made of?

Natural Raffia is made from the long, fibrous leaves of the raffia palm tree (Raphia farinifera), most commonly found in Madagascar. These leaves can measure up to 30 feet long. The strands are harvested, sun-dried, and bundled to create a natural material used in everything from basketry to traditional weaving to decorative touches. Raffia strands are flexible, durable, and loved for their earthy texture! Paper Raffia is made from 100% paper and is manufactured into a raffia yarn. It comes in a continuous length and provides a similar lightweight, organic feeling as traditional, natural raffia.

What is the meaning of raffia?

The word “raffia” comes from Malagasy and also names the palm tree and the fiber. It’s rooted in the local term rafia. The fibers are stripped from the plant’s leaves and dried for use in crafts. Over time, “raffia” has come to mean the flexible craft fiber product we love and use today. It’s both the botanical and crafting name.

Is raffia a good material?

Absolutely! Crafters love raffia because it’s a strong, flexible product that's easy to work with, not to mention eco-friendly. Raffia comes from the leaves of the raffia palm, which naturally regrow after harvesting. That process makes it biodegradable, renewable, and far less wasteful than synthetic fibers. It’s perfect for weaving with, using to make and weave baskets, gift wrap, use for cushioning in gift baskets and more. It’s a fabulous choice for makers who want both natural, organic beauty and sustainability.

Is raffia the same as straw?

No, raffia and straw aren’t the same. Straw comes from dried grain stalks, while raffia is a natural fiber from palm leaves. Raffia is more flexible and easier to shape, making it better for crafting. If you’re looking to create a handmade product, raffia offers more strength, durability, and flexibility than straw.

What country does natural raffia grow in?

Natural raffia primarily grows in Madagascar, where the climate is perfect for cultivating strong, flexible fibers. The raffia palm thrives in coastal and swampy areas, producing leaves that can grow up to 30 feet long, ideal for stripping into craft-ready strands. While smaller quantities grow in parts of West and Central Africa, Madagascar remains the top source of this high-quality natural product worldwide.

What happens when raffia gets wet?

Raffia does soften when wet, becoming more flexible and easier to manipulate.. Raffia does not like to stay saturated in water or stay moist, however, as it can develop mold. If raffia is super stiff, you can dampen it a bit by misting it to make it more supple, but it should air dry mostly all the way before you use it in a basket or in a project where it will be packed tightly against other fibers. For dyed natural raffia, some color may bleed, so it's best to test it before starting your product. Paper Raffia should not be submerged in water.