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There is a precise moment of the year when we realise that the warm season is truly arriving. It is not when we start putting away our coats, it is not when we order our first iced coffee, and it is not even when we start saying this year I really want to organise my summer looks better. It is when they reappear: raffia and jute accessories.
Woven bags, wide-brim hats, natural baskets, beach shoppers, lightweight clutches, boho details, bamboo handles, handmade plates and that aesthetic that feels a bit like a holiday in Capri and a bit like a French market.
Every year, as soon as summer gets closer, raffia and jute return to the spotlight. And in 2026 this trend seems even stronger, because summer fashion is looking more and more towards natural materials, visible textures, handmade accessories and everything that tells a less industrial and more personal idea of style.
But the question that sooner or later always comes up is the same: what is the difference between raffia and jute?
Because yes, at first glance they may look like natural yarns for summer bags, but in reality they have different characters, finishes, ways of working and final results, and choosing the right one can completely change the look of the project.
Raffia and jute in summer 2026 crochet fashion: why are they so loved?
Crochet fashion for summer 2026 continues to move in a very clear direction: natural materials, recognisable accessories, handmade textures and bags that become the stars of the look.
We are no longer talking only about the classic beach bag. Today, a raffia or jute bag can easily be worn in city looks too, paired with linen dresses, light jeans, crochet sets, oversized shirts, flat sandals, but also with golden jewellery, scarves, charms and more fashion-forward details.
Raffia instantly communicates summer, light, holidays and lightness.
Jute, on the other hand, tells a more rustic, textured, natural story, almost country chic.
Both have a very strong charm, but they should not be confused: raffia is lighter and more fashionable, while jute is tougher, rougher and more structured.
What is raffia?
Raffia is a material with a natural, dry and slightly firm look, much loved for making crochet bags, summer hats, favours, decorative baskets and handmade accessories.
In our Tessiland catalogue, we have two main types of raffia, different in composition, format and final effect.
Tessiland natural raffia: the authentic charm of plant cellulose
Tessiland Natural Raffia is made from plant cellulose and designed for those looking for a natural, sustainable material with an authentic aesthetic.
It is available in a 200 gram cone for approximately 250 metres and is recommended for projects with a 5-6 crochet hook.
As it is a natural material, it may have a small weight variation of 5-6%, due to the absorption or loss of moisture. This is not a defect, but a typical characteristic of plant fibres.
Its strength is precisely its appearance: it has a slightly rustic, matte, natural texture, perfect for creating summer bags with a shabby chic and boho style. It is that kind of raffia that, once worked, immediately gives the idea of a refined, textured and very summery accessory.
What can you make with Tessiland Natural Raffia?
With natural raffia you can create:
- summer crochet bags;
- beach shoppers;
- bucket bags;
- beach hats;
- decorative baskets;
- handmade favours;
- natural-style home décor accessories.
It is a yarn that allows you to work fairly quickly because it has a firm thickness and immediately creates volume. However, working with it requires a little adjustment: it does not have the smoothness of cotton or wool, because its plant-based texture is drier.
A useful little tip, especially for those working with it for the first time, is to pair it, if needed, with a thin cotton thread to make the work smoother and easier.
DMC Eco Vita Raffia: the softer and lighter wood-fibre raffia
The second type available in the catalogue is DMC Eco Vita Raffia, made from 100% wood fibre.
It comes in a 50 gram ball for 100 metres and is recommended with 4-5 knitting needles or a 3.5-4.5 crochet hook.
Compared to natural raffia on a cone, Eco Vita has a softer feel, a smoother working experience and a very lightweight finish. It is natural, biodegradable, recyclable and breathable, but above all it differs from stiffer commercial raffia because it is more pleasant to work with.
It is perfect for those who want a natural yet more delicate result, less “rough”, ideal for refined and lightweight fashion accessories.
What can you make with Eco Vita Raffia?
DMC Eco Vita Raffia is ideal for:
- lightweight crochet bags;
- summer hats;
- pochettes;
- clutches;
- textile jewellery;
- storage baskets;
- coasters;
- decorative details for the home;
- boho chic accessories.
Its great advantage is the combination of lightness and strength. It holds its shape without weighing down the project and gives a matte, natural and very elegant finish.
It is therefore perfect for those who want to create refined, sustainable summer accessories that are easy to style with the season’s looks.
What is jute?
Jute is a natural textile fibre obtained from the stem of plants of the Corchorus genus. It is an ancient, resistant, tough fibre with a distinctly rustic appearance.
In the Tessiland catalogue, we find Natural Jute for handmade bags and accessories on a spool, in the 180 gram format for 200 metres, recommended with a 4-6 crochet hook.
Compared to raffia, jute has a stronger character. Tessiland jute undergoes a softening treatment that improves its workability, without removing its typical rustic appearance.
What can you make with natural jute?
Jute is perfect for all those projects that require structure and resistance.
You can use it for:
- beach bags;
- sturdy shoppers;
- storage baskets;
- rugs and runners;
- handmade belts;
- plant pot covers;
- trivets;
- lampshades;
- natural home décor pieces;
- boho or country chic fashion accessories.
While working with it, it is normal for it to release small plant impurities, such as short fibres or natural residues. This is also part of the raw nature of the material.
Raffia and jute: the main differences
The most immediate difference concerns the final effect.
Raffia has a more lightweight, summery, fashionable and luminous look. It is perfect for bags to wear during the warm months, beach hats, chic accessories and projects that want to communicate freshness.
Jute, on the other hand, is more rustic, resistant and textured. It has a more natural and decisive soul, ideal for sturdy bags, baskets, home décor and accessories with a boho-country taste.
They are also very different to the touch: raffia, especially in the Eco Vita version, can feel lighter and softer; jute keeps a rougher and more compact texture, even when treated to be easier to work with.
From a style point of view, we could say this:
raffia is the accessory of an Italian summer, white dress and golden sandals.
Jute is the accessory of a natural home, a boho look with character.
Raffia or jute for a crochet bag?
If the goal is to make a fashionable summer bag, raffia is probably the most immediate choice, as it gives lightness, freshness and an effect that is very much in line with summer 2026 fashion trends.
If, instead, you want a more resistant bag, to use also as a shopper or roomy bag, jute can be a very interesting choice. It has a rougher but also more decisive look, perfect for those who love natural and sturdy accessories.
The choice therefore depends on the result you want to achieve:
- want an elegant holiday-style bag? Choose raffia.
- Want a rustic, resistant and textured bag? Choose jute.
And then there is always the third option, the one for true creatives: combining them with other yarns, cotton details, special handles, handmade plates, charms, inner linings and metal accessories to create a truly personal bag.
Because a raffia or jute bag or accessory is not just a bag or a finished project; it is a detail that says summer is coming, and this time we are making it ourselves.
Rosaria Tessiland®
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