Poncho-ruana-knitting pattern

The traditional poncho-like ruana becomes a versatile summer wrap when worked in fingering-weight yarn on larger needles. The mitered squares are easy to make, and using hand-dyed mini skeins creates a colorful pattern that is truly a work of art.

Sizes
Woman’s X-small–large (X-large–4X-large) Instructions are given for smaller size, with larger size in parentheses. When only 1 number is given, it applies to both sizes.

Finished Measurements
Length (Fronts): 29 (34¼) inches
Length (Back): 20 (24) inches
Width: 33½ (41½) inches
Note: Measurements indicated are taken with ruana lying flat. When worn, it will stretch approx 5 (6) inches in length in the Front and 3 (3½) inches in the Back.

Materials
• SweetGeorgia Yarns Tough Love Sock Party of Five (fingering weight; 80% superwash merino wool/20% nylon; 105 yds/28g per skein, 5 skeins per package): 2 (3) packages jellybean: orchid (A), clementine (B), tangerine (C), persimmon (D) and Dutch (E)
• SweetGeorgia Yarns Tough Love Sock (ngering weight; 80% superwash merino wool/20% nylon; 425 yds/115g per skein): 2 (3) skeins modern mandarin (F)
• Size 6 (4mm) straight and 60-inch circular
needles or size needed to obtain gauge
• 2 closed stitch markers
• Locking stitch marker (optional)

Gauge
22 sts and 30 rows = 4 inches/10cm in St st (blocked). To save time, take time to check gauge.
Special Abbreviation
Slip marker (sm): Slip marker from LH to RH needle.

Pattern Stitch
Mitered Square
Size X-Small–Large Only With first color indicated in pat and straight needles, cast on 48 sts.
Setup Row: K24, pm, knit to end.
Row 1 (RS): Knit to 2 sts before marker, ssk, sm, k2tog, knit to end of row—2 sts dec.
Row 2: Knit.
Rows 3–12: Rep [Rows 1 and 2] 5 times— 36 sts. Cut yarn.
Rows 13–26: With 2nd color, rep [Rows 1 and 2] 7 times—22 sts. Cut yarn.
Rows 27–46: With 3rd color, rep [Rows 1 and 2] 10 times—2 sts. Cut yarn.
Bind off by passing 2nd st over first. Cut yarn and fasten off.
Size X-Large–4X-Large Only
With first color indicated in pat and straight needles, cast on 56 sts.
Setup Row: K28, pm, knit to end.
Row 1 (RS): Knit to 2 sts before marker, ssk, sm, k2tog, knit to end of row—2 sts dec.

Pattern Notes
Ruana is made with fingering-weight yarn using larger-than-typical needles to create a more open stitch pattern. It is worked flat in 3 pieces (2 Fronts and 1 shorter Back), then sewn together.
Each Front is comprised of 18 mitered squares sewn together as indicated in Diagrams.
The Back is worked in St st with a garter border, and the first stitch of each row is slipped to make a neat edge.
Both sizes will use all of yarn F. To make sure you have enough, work the Fronts first including the border. Then work the Back until you have reached the measurement indicated, or until you have approximately 55 yds/15g (99 yds/27g) remaining to work the bottom border. Circular needle is used to accommodate large number of stitches. Do not join; work back and forth in rows.

Fronts
Mitered Squares
Square 1
Make 8
Work Mitered Square with C, E and B.
Square 2
Make 8
Work Mitered Square with A, D and E.
Square 3
Make 8
Work Mitered Square with B, C and A.
Square 4
Make 4
Work Mitered Square with E, A and D.
Square 5
Make 8
Work Mitered Square with D, B and E.
Block Mitered Squares.
Sew Squares tog as indicated in Diagrams to make Left and Right Fronts.
Left Front Edging
With F, RS facing and starting on Square 2 at the top left corner, pick up and knit 144 (168) sts along long side of piece [24 (28) sts per square], pm, 72 (84) sts along bottom, pm, 144 (168) sts along other side—360 (420) sts.

Row 1: Knit to 1 st before marker, kfb, sm, kfb, knit to 1 st before next marker, kfb, sm, kfb, knit to end—4 sts inc.
Row 2: Knit.
Rows 3–14 (20): Rep [Rows 1 and 2] 6 (9) times—388 (460) sts.
Right Front Edging
Work as for Left Front, starting at Square 1 on top left corner.
Back
With F, cast on 182 (228) sts.
Top Border
Rows 1–14 (20): Sl 1 wyif, knit to end.

Main Section
Setup Row (WS): K8 (12), pm, purl to last 8 (12) sts, pm, knit to end.
Row 1 (RS): Sl 1 wyif, knit to marker, sm, knit to marker, sm, knit to end.
Row 2: Sl 1 wyif, knit to marker, sm, purl to marker, sm, knit to end.
Rep Rows 1 and 2 until piece measures approx 18 (22@) inches, ending with a WS row.
Bottom Border
Rows 1–14 (20): Sl 1 wyif, knit to end. Bind off.
Finishing
Block pieces to finished measurements. With WS of pieces tog, sew Fronts to Back at shoulders with approx 3½(4½) inches between fronts. Weave in ends.H