Radiant Raffia: 20 Inspiring Crochet Projects Made With Natural Yarn

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.