This has so many fun patterns! I love the vintage vibe and the modern twists. The patterns are easy to follow, but interesting enough to not get boring. An excellent resource!

As someone who is a big fan of crocheting with raffia, I loved the patterns in this book and they were written very clearly and in a manner that is easy to follow. They bring a fun and refreshed look to crocheted raffia products. I love the bucket bag!

Radiant Raffia is a tutorial guide for 20 crocheted projects featuring raffia written and curated by Olga Panagopoulou. Released 21st May 2024 by Bloomsbury on their Herbert Press imprint, it's 128 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout.

The introduction covers tools and materials. The author covers reading written patterns and charts, but doesn't give a how-to-crochet tutorial, and the patterns presuppose some level of familiarity with crochet (or access to youtube tutorials or a crochet friend who can help with the basics). Pattern terms are written with American standard terms and measurements, but she's included a chart with analogous British terms for clarity. The following chapters include the tutorials as well as tips and alternate finishing techniques, divided into accessories and soft decor.. The final parts of the book include a collection of the specialty stitches used in the projects, as well as a list of suppliers, including world-wide suppliers, which is nice.

The book is beautifully photographed with clear color photos throughout. "Action" shots are very well staged without hands or tools obscuring the stitches. There are numerous photos for each tutorial as well as step-by-step photos of the specialty stitches used in the projects. Production quality in text, formatting, and photography are very high throughout.

This would make an excellent choice for public or school library acquisition, home use, maker's groups, or gift giving (perhaps bundled with some raffia yarn?).

Very nice and varied collection of very professional and attractive projects.
Five stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Thank you Netgalley and Bloomsbury USA | Herbert Press for access to this digital arc. This was such an interesting read around crocheting with natural yarn derived from palm trees. Thankful that the author included a link to retailers that sell this specific type of yarn because it seemed like it may be hard to find. Instructions were clear and specialty stitches described in detail for anyone in need of a tutorial. I found the how to read a crochet pattern section useful for understanding how the instructions are written/ intended to be read. While these instructions are clear and patterns are easy to read, I do not believe this is a beginner title given the number of specialty stitches that will need to be understood / learned in order to complete patterns. I would suggest this for an advanced beginner or intermediate person familiar with crochet and reading visual patterns.

Defiantly not a beginner book. I do like that it included a section on how to read crochet patterns and charts which many books don't include. I would be interested in trying some of these patterns in a yarn like hemp.

I'm so impressed with this book. Every pattern is so professionally photographed and explained in detail. Every pattern is something I would make. Usually there is only 1 or 2 that I'd be lucky to want to make but this has purses, bags, home accessories all I'm interested in. Written and chatted instructions for all. If you crochet you won't want to miss purchasing this.

I received a copy of this eBook from netGalley for a honest review.

This book is so cool! I loved the different housewares and fashion items. All made from raffia yarn/string. I would love all the bags to have for beach or market days. The belts looked great too. It all looked fairly easy for someone who has crocheted before and there are tips, charts and guides for newcomers to crochet. I would love to own this book.

I received this DRC from NetGalley.

I've never used raffia or raffia yarn, but these projects looked approachable. I thought the baskets in particular were a good idea. Patterns are both written and charted, and include both accessories (a hat, belts, tote bags, and a headband) and home decor (baskets, vases, a table doily, a pillow, and decorative balls). I haven't made any of these, but the instructions look clear.

This is a lovely crochet book! The projects are perfect for raffia, and the instructions are clear and include fantastic photos of finished pieces that really show off the diversity of this fiber. The projects are mostly useful, utilitarian, but that doesn't make them plain or boring. The designs are practical and attractive. The decorative projects are displayed beautifully, and I can't say enough about how well the photos bring out the simple but artistic look of each piece. I love the resource guide for purchasing supplies. Experienced crocheters will have an easier time with these pieces, but beginners will be able to work up to the harder projects with practice. Raffia is a very different fiber than typical yarns, and the author is careful to talk about useful techniques, but manages to be encouraging and not discouraging with tips and notes. This is a perfect summer project book.

Nice book about an unusual crafting material. Raffia is good for making bags and baskets, and these are the best designs in the book, in my opinion. Some of the bags are very classy and seem useful. I love the explanations for how to read a crochet pattern and how to read a crochet chart, as well as abbreviations for standard US crochet stitches. This kind of explanation is rare and very useful for beginners.
The book design is not my favorite, it kind of looks like a 90s website. But this is a good book for beach season crafting, crocheted housewares, and a view into the author's idyllic Greek island life.

If you love the boho vibes then this is the book for you! Fun projects for all your raffia wants and needs. If you’re looking for something to wear then you’re in luck; this has patterns for hats, bags, belts and jewelry. If home decor is more your thing then there are plenty of ideas and patterns for that as well. If you think you might be interested you’ll love it!

📚 Got my hands on a presale digital copy of "The Radiant Raffia" by Olga Panagopoulou via NetGalley and it's a stunner! 💫 The patterns in this book are simply breathtaking, and I couldn't get enough of them. Despite struggling with raffia's texture in the past, flipping through Olga's book has me eager to give it another try. The detailed written patterns and charts make everything so accessible, and I appreciate that she includes both US and UK crochet terms. Can't wait to dive in and start creating these beautiful designs! 🧶✨ #BookReview #TheRadiantRaffia #OlgaPanagopoulou #CrochetPatterns #NetGalley

This book has some great patterns that I can't wait to make for the summer. I've never worked with raffia before, as I usually make crochet amigurumi, but this book gave me the confidence to order some raffia and give it a try. The author explains what kind of raffia you will need to purchase, and lists several places where you can order it online. Hint: you don't just use the craft raffia paper from your local Jo-Anne's.

The photography for each of the patterns is beautiful, as well as very clear. I have found that sometimes when words fail, the photos are what make or break the project's success. In this case, the photos are clear, and close-up enough to be useful. There are also very clearly written instructions for each round, as well as diagrams.

And last, but most importantly, the designs are stunning! There are small projects like a headband or cuff bracelet, hats, large tote bag patterns, and everything in between. If you're not sure you want to wear something made of raffia, there are also some beautiful vase patterns that will fit nicely in a minimalist or boho decor style.

Thank you to netgalley for the free advanced reader's digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

#netgalley
#RadiantRaffia

Make your own summer bag for your beach trip or a sun hat. With stunning photographs from the author's island beaches, you will be inspired to make your own accessories and home decor items using raffia yarn. It may be a bit of a hunt to find the yarn locally, so the author has included sources for ordering supplies and tips on types of hooks to use.

Detailed written and charted instructions are included for each pattern. The author also took the effort to include US and UK abbreviations and instructions making this a book that all crochet enthusiasts can use.

I was interested to review this book - I enjoy knitting and crocheting but am new to crocheting with raffia. I found some of the projects to look interesting, however some of the bags just looked way too large. Of course one could adapt the pattern to make the item smaller. The pictures of the ocean seemed out of place-and not professionally done. - the pictures of the projects and those that are in the special stitch tutorials are done well. Thanks you for lending me an advance copy of the book

I really love the patterns. Nice variety! There is also a handy stitch guide in the end but I don’t think beginning or advanced beginner crocheters would get much out of this book. Which is fine but I was expecting at least one easier project. I love how versatile raffia is!