Back in October, my friend ChiWei of
Interested in ChiWei’s Tunisian crochet ruana? Grab the kit for the Kingston Ruana
Our design process started with a sketch and some estimates on measurements. Being the brilliant engineer that she is, ChiWei created this paper mock ruana with dimensions off of which we could work.
The next step was choosing the yarn. Lion Brand had recently released
While the
What I love most about these ruanas is that they look so elegant and yet are SO comfortable and easy to throw on. You can toss these babies over a t-shirt or a tank and instantly dress up your look. They are both pictured wrapped here, but you can also wear them open with the panels simply straight down the front and they still look so high-end. While we started with the same dimensions, different crafts produce different fabrics that react differently when worked up – especially on such large-scale pieces. While ChiWei’s
MATERIALS:
FINISHED SIZE:
Back width: 43.5”/110cm (XS/S), 48”/122cm (M/L), 52.25”/133cm (XL/2XL), 56.75”/144cm (3XL/4XL)
Back neck: 4.25”/11cm (XS/S), 5”/13cm (M/L), 5.75”/15cm (XL/2XL), 6.5”/17cm (3XL/4XL)
Front panel width: 19.5”/50cm (XS/S), 21.5”/55cm (M/L), 23.25”/59cm (XL/2XL), 25”/64cm (3XL/4XL)
Length: 22.25”/57cm (XS/S), 23”/58cm (M/L), 23.5”/60cm (XL/2XL), 24.25”/62cm (3XL/4XL)
*Ruana pictured in size XS/S
GAUGE:
12 sts + 23 rows = 4”/10cm in garter stitch (unblocked)
11 sts + 19 rows = 4”/10cm in garter stitch (lightly blocked)
ABBREVIATIONS:
*All Two of Wands patterns are written in standard US terms
CO – cast on
K – knit
Rep – repeat
St(s) – stitch(es)
Notes: Ruana is worked from the bottom up the back, then sts are bound off for the back neck and the front panels are worked continuously from the top down one at a time. Strap is worked separately and sewn onto the ruana. The measurements of the finished piece are taken with the ruana laid flat and lightly blocked, but due to the loose knit nature of the finished fabric, it will have quite a bit of drag and will stretch when worn (as pictured). Pattern is written for four sizes: XS/S (M/L, XL/2XL, 3XL/4XL).
CO 120 (132, 144, 156) sts.
Back:
K each row (garter stitch) until work measures 18.5”/47cm (19”/48cm, 19.5”/50cm, 20”/51cm) when laid flat (unblocked) – approx. 106 (109, 112, 115) rows.
Next row: K 54 (59, 64, 69), bind off 12 (14, 16, 18), K to end of row.
Place sts worked BEFORE the bind off on a stitch holder and continue with only the sts worked AFTER the bind off that are currently on the needles. (54, 59, 64, 69 sts on needles)
Continue for front:
K each row until panel measures 18.5”/47cm (19”/48cm, 19.5”/50cm, 20”/51cm) when laid flat – approx. 106 (109, 112, 115) rows.
Bind off.
Place sts from stitch holder back onto needles and rejoin yarn at the neck edge.
K each row until panel measures 18.5”/47cm (19”/48cm, 19.5”/50cm, 20”/51cm) when laid flat – approx. 106 (109, 112, 115) rows.
Bind off. Secure and weave in all ends.
Strap:
Leaving a long tail for seaming, CO 4 sts.
K each row until work measures 3.5”/9cm – approx. 20 rows.
Bind off, leaving a long tail for seaming. Secure and weave in all ends.
Block ruana and strap lightly. The ruana will naturally grow in length and width when worn due to the loose nature of the fabric, but blocking everything a bit will help when attaching the strap.
It is best to try on the ruana and pin the strap in place before attaching it to make sure the placement is correct. It should be attached to one of the front panels (shown on the left panel) vertically near the natural waist, approx. 4”/10cm in from, and parallel to, the center front edge.
Sew the strap in place at the top and bottom using the CO and bind off tails. Secure and weave in any remaining ends.
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