Free Crochet Ruana Pattern

What is a Crochet Ruana?

A crochet ruana is essentially a large rectangle that has a split going up the middle of the front so that it can drape over your shoulders. Ruanas are essentially a wrap that is similar to a poncho, kimono or cape but they are not the same thing. Ruanas are worn like a wrap, however they are much larger. Classic Ruanas are very long making it so that you can wrap yourself in them and should hit just above the knee. The best way to describe a Ruana is that they are much more blanket-like than other garments.

What is the difference between a Poncho and a Ruana?

While they look and fit similar, a Ruana and a Poncho are different. A Ruana has an open front, whereas a poncho does not. A poncho is one piece of material with a hole in the center for you to pull your head through. Both are generally oversized, fit with a lot of extra ease and are meant to hang on the body.

Materials

• 5.50 mm Crochet Hook
• 8 (9, 10) LB Wool-Ease in Oatmeal #620-024A

Gauge

• 20 sts x 20 rows is 4”x4” in sc.

Stitch Descriptions and Abbreviations

• Chain Stitch – ch
• Slip Stitch – sl st
• Single Crochet –sc
• Double Crochet – dc
• Skip – sk
• Foundation Single Crochet – Fsc – Chain 2, insert hook into 2nd chain from hook, yarn over and pull up a loop (2 loops on hook), yarn over, draw through 1 loop, (2 loops on hook with 1 ch created), yarn over, draw through all loops (1 loop on hook, 1 foundation single crochet with chain at the bottom). *Insert hook to the bottom of the stitch you just made, it will look like the top or “V” of a stitch, yarn over, pull up 1 loop (2 loops on hook), yarn over, draw through 1 loop (2 loops on hook with 1 ch created), yarn over, draw through all loops;* repeat from * to * for desired amount of stitches.

Pattern Notes

• Petite (Standard, Plus): Use corresponding number for your size.
• – Pre-Block 28 (28, 30)” shoulder to shoulder and 66 (70, 70)” Row 1 to Row 269 (285, 285).
• – Post-Block 36 (36, 38)” shoulder to shoulder and 73 (77, 77)” Row 1 to Row 269 (285, 285).
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Construction: The Crochet Ruana is made in 3 basic sections. First the central panel (Faux Cable Spine) with faux cables is created by starting at the bottom center of the back. You will then work up to the neck and split for the two front panels and then work from the shoulders down.  The loops will form the cables before finishing the final row.  Next, you will reattach at the neck/shoulder and work second front panel (Body).  The body/sides of the Ruana are in long rows, perpendicular to the central panel rows (Faux Cable Spine) by working in the row ends of the central panel. The side panels (Body) are worked from the central cable panel (Spine) out towards shoulders. 
• * Designates a repeat.
• Ch 3 counts as a dc st.
• I do not use a ch 1 in this pattern when turning to create a straighter, stiffer edge, you may use a
  ch 1 if you would like. 
• “sc 1” means to single crochet in the next stitch.
• “sc 2” means to single crochet in each of the next 2 stitches.

What Size is a Ruana?

A Ruana  is generally one size, however I designed this Ruana to come in three sizes, petite, standard and plus. I did this so that you could choose a Ruana based upon your size and the way that you would like it to fit. Measurements are given in the pattern notes for each size. You will notice that there are pre-block and post block sizes this is very important. The sizes do slightly overlap for width and for length. Choose a size that would best fit your frame.

Free Crochet Ruana Pattern

Faux Cable Spine

Row 1 – Fsc 20.
Row 2 – Turn, sc 5, ch 9, sc 10, ch 9, sc 5.
Row 3 – Turn, sc 5, sc 10 in ch-9 loop, sc 10, sc 10 in ch-9 loop, sc 5.
Row 4 – Turn, sc 5, sk sc-10 loop, sc 10, sk sc-10 loop, sc 5.
Row 5 – Turn, sc 20.
Rows 6 to 117 (133, 133) – Repeat Rows 2 – 5 for a total of 29 (33, 33) loops.
Note: At this point you may want to place a SM to easily count your remaining rows.

Faux Cable Spine Split

Row 118 (134, 134) – (Row 1 of Front) – Turn, sc 5, ch 9, sc 5.
Row 119 (135, 135) – Turn, sc 5, sc 10 in ch-9 loop, sc 5.
Row 120 (136, 136) – Turn, sc 5, sk sc-10 loop, sc 5.
Row 121 (137, 137) – Turn, sc 10.
Rows 122 (138, 138) to 267 (283, 283) – Repeat rows 118 (134, 134) to 121 (137, 137) for a total of 33 (37, 37) additional loops.
Rows 268 (284, 284) – Turn, sc 10.
Note: Place a SM in your last stitch of Row 268 (284, 284).
To form the cable, pick up the first and second loops, push the second loop up through the first. Pick up the third loop and push it up through the second. Continue to pick up the next loop and push up through the preceding loop until you have pulled the last loop through its preceding loop so all loops are connected. Now follow with the Final Row instructions below to secure the last loop down.
Row 269 (285, 285) – Turn, sc 4, sc 2 picking up sc 5 and 6 from your final loop, sc 4, finish off.
Reattach your yarn at Row 117 (133, 133) working in the same direction and repeat Rows 118 (134, 134) to 269 (285, 285) to create the other side of the spine to complete the split for the front. 

Body

Reattach your yarn in a row end and with right side facing and sc evenly down the side in row ends.
Row 1 – Sc 269 (285, 285) sts in row ends
Rows 2 and 3 – Turn, sc to end.
Row 4 – Turn, *(sc, ch 1, sk 1), repeat from* until 1 st remains, sc 1 in last st.
Row 5 – Turn, sc, *(sc in ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk 1), repeat from* until 2 sts remain, sc in next ch-1, sc in last st.
Rows 6 to 22 (22, 28) – Repeat Rows 4 and 5 ending with a Row 4 repeat.
Row 23 (23, 29) – Turn, ch 3, dc, *(dc in ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk 1), repeat from* until 2 sts remain, dc in next ch-1, dc in last st.
Row 24 (24, 30) – Turn, ch 3,*(dc, ch 1, sk 1), repeat from* until 1 st remains, dc 1 in last st.
Rows 25 (25, 31) to 27 (27, 33) – Repeat Rows 23 (23, 29) and 24 (24, 30), ending with a Row 23 (23,29) repeat.
Rows 28 (28, 34) to 31 (31, 37) – Repeat Rows 4 and 5.
Rows 32 (32, 38) to 36 (36, 42) – Repeat Rows 23 (23, 29) and 24 (24, 30), ending with a Row 23 (23,29) repeat.
Rows 37 (37, 43) and 38 (38, 44) – Repeat Rows 4 and 5.
Row 39 (39, 45) – Turn, sc to end, finishing off.
Reattach your yarn to the other side of you Faux Cable Spine and repeat.

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