Ruana Style Vest

Check out this unique variation on the ruana, the hottest trend in knit wraps!

Ruana Style Vest

You've seen a ruana, but have you seen a ruana style vest? The best part about ruanas is just how versatile they are, and this Ruana Style Vest is a perfect representation of that. With just a lovely cable tie attached to the waist, you've transformed a free-flowing wrap into a cardigan-style layering piece, and simultaneously expanded its usability. This piece can be dressed up or down, and therefore suits just about any occasion. You'll love the subtly variegated nature of the yarn and the stunning cable accents on the border.

NotesDirections are for size Small/Medium. Changes for sizes Large/1X and 2X/3X are in parentheses.

Intermediate

Knitting Needle Size10 or 6 mm

Yarn Weight(4) Medium Weight/Worsted Weight and Aran (16-20 stitches to 4 inches)

Gauge16 sts = 4” (10 cm); 22 rows = 4” (10 cm) in 2x2 Rib, unstretched. Each cable (ribLC) measures about ¾” (2 cm) wide. CHECK YOUR GAUGE. Use any size needles to obtain the gauge.

Finished SizeTo Fit Bust: 38 (46, 54)” (96.5 (117, 137) cm); Finished Bust: 42 (50, 58)” (106.5 (127, 147.5) cm); Finished Length: 27 (29, 31)” (68.5 (73.5, 78.5) cm)

Materials List

RED HEART® Boutique Midnight®: 9 (10, 11) balls - 1937 Moonlight
Susan Bates® Knitting Needles: 6mm [US 10]
4 stitch markers
Cable needle
Stitch holders
Yarn needle

Instructions

Special Stitches and Techniques

4/4 ribLC (4 over 4 rib Left Cross) = Slip 4 stitches to cable needle and hold in front of work, k2, p2, then k2, p2 from cable needle.
Cable Cast On = Place a slip knot on left needle, insert right needle into stitch on left needle as if to knit, pull loop through and place on left needle (2 sts on left needle), *insert needle between first 2 stitches on left needle, pull loop through and place on left needle; repeat from * until the required number of stitches are on the left needle.
Cable Rib Pattern

Row 1 (right side): K2, [p2, k2] 6 times, slip marker, knit to next marker, slip marker, k2, [p2, k2] 6 times.
Row 2: P2, *k2, p2; repeat from * to end of row.
Rows 3–8: Repeat last 2 rows 3 times.
Row 9: [K2, p2, ribLC] twice, k2, slip marker, knit to next marker, slip marker, [k2, p2, ribLC] twice, k2.
Row 10: P2, *k2, p2; repeat from * to end of row.

Repeat Rows 1–10 for Cable Rib pattern.

Vest

Notes

Vest is worked in one piece beginning at lower back edge. Work proceeds to shoulders where piece is divided for front and back. Front and back are worked separately down to lower front edge.
The Cable Rib pattern and small variations on the Cable Rib pattern are used throughout. When instructed to work in pattern “as established”, work next rows of most recently used pattern, aligning stitches as in previous rows.

Back

Beginning at lower back edge, cast on 114 (130, 146) sts.

Set Up Row (right side): [K2, p2, ribLC] twice, k2, place marker, p2, *k2, p2; repeat from * to last 26 sts, place marker, [k2, p2, ribLC] twice, k2.

Beginning with Row 10 of pattern, work in Cable Rib pattern until piece measures 13 (14, 15)” (33 (35.5, 38) cm) from beginning, end with a wrong side row.
Back Belt Openings

Next Row (right side): Continue in Cable Rib pattern as established to marker, slip marker, k15 (23, 31), slip remaining 73 (81, 89) sts onto a holder.

Right section: Work in Cable Rib pattern as established over remaining 41 (49, 57) sts for 6 more rows. Cut yarn and place these stitches on a holder.

Center section: With right side facing, slip next 32 sts from first holder (at center back) to left needle.

Note: 41 (49, 57) sts should remain on first holder. Rejoin yarn and work in Cable Rib pattern as established for 7 rows.

Cut yarn and place these stitches on a holder.

Left section: With right side facing, slip remaining 41 (49, 57) sts from first holder to left needle. Rejoin yarn and work in Cable Rib pattern as established for 7 rows. Do not cut yarn.

Next Row (wrong side): Work in Cable Rib pattern as established across left section sts, then across center section sts, and across right section sts—114 (130, 146) sts.

Continue in Cable Rib pattern until piece measures 23 (25, 27)” (58.5 (63.5, 68.5) cm) from beginning, end with a Row 8 of pattern.
Begin Center Back Cables

Row 1 (right side): [K2, p2, ribLC] twice, k2, slip marker, k20 (28, 36), place marker, p2, ribLC, k2, p2, ribLC, place marker, k20 (28, 36), slip marker, [k2, p2, ribLC] twice, k2.
Row 2: P2, *k2, p2; repeat from * to end of row.
Row 3: K2, [p2, k2] 6 times, slip marker, knit to next marker, slip marker, [p2, k2] 5 times, p2, slip marker, knit to next marker, slip marker, k2, [p2, k2] 6 times.
Row 4: P2, *k2, p2; repeat from * to end of row.
Rows 5–10: Repeat last 2 rows 3 times.
Row 11: [K2, p2, ribLC] twice, k2, slip marker, knit to next marker, slip marker, p2, ribLC, k2, p2, ribLC, slip marker, knit to next marker, slip marker, [k2, p2, ribLC] twice, k2.
Row 12: P2, *k2, p2; repeat from * to end of row.

Piece should measure about 25 (27, 28)” (63.5 (68.5, 73.5) cm) from beginning.

Divide for Right and Left Front

Right Front

Row 1 (right side): K2, [p2, k2] 6 times, slip marker, knit to next marker, slip marker, [p2, k2] twice, p2, k1, slip remaining 57 (65, 73) sts to a holder for left front—57 (65, 73) sts remain on needle for right front.
Row 2: P1, *k2, p2; repeat from * to end of row.
Row 3: K2, [p2, k2] 6 times, slip marker, knit to next marker, slip marker, [p2, k2] twice, p2, k1.
Row 4: P1, *k2, p2; repeat from * to end of row.
Rows 5–8: Repeat last 2 rows twice.
Row 9: [K2, p2, ribLC] twice, k2, slip marker, knit to next marker, slip marker, p2, ribLC, k1.
Row 10: P1, *k2, p2; repeat from * to end of row.
Row 11: K2, [p2, k2] 6 times, slip marker, knit to next marker, slip marker, [p2, k2] twice, p2, k1.

Repeat Rows 2–11 until right front measures 16 (17, 18)” (40.5 (43, 45.5) cm) from divide, end with a wrong side row.
Right Front Belt Opening

Next Row (right side): Continue in pattern as established to marker, slip marker, k15 (23, 31), slip remaining 16 sts onto a holder.

Side section: Work in pattern as established over remaining 41 (49, 57) sts for 6 more rows. Cut yarn and place these stitches on a holder.

Center Front section: With right side facing, slip the 16 sts from holder to left needle. Rejoin yarn and work in pattern as established for 7 rows. Do not cut yarn.

Next Row (wrong side): Work in pattern as established across center front section sts, then across side section sts—57 (65, 73) sts. Continue in pattern until piece measures 29 (31, 33)” (73.5 (78.5, 84) cm) from divide, end with a Row 8 (row before row containing ribLC sts) of pattern.

Last Row: [K2, p2, ribLC] twice, k2, slip marker, p2, *k2, p2; repeat from * to last st, k1.

Bind off loosely in pattern.
Left Front

With right side facing, slip the 57 (65, 73) left front sts from holder to left needle. Rejoin yarn.

Row 1 (right side): K1, p2, [k2, p2] twice, slip marker, knit to next marker, slip marker, [k2, p2] 6 times, k2.
Row 2: *P2, k2; repeat from * to last st, p1.
Rows 3–8: Repeat last 2 rows 3 times.
Row 9: K1, p2, ribLC, slip marker, knit to next marker, slip marker, [k2, p2, ribLC] twice, k2.
Row 10: *P2, k2; repeat from * to last st, p1.

Repeat Rows 1–10 until left front measures 16 (17, 18)” (40.5 (43, 45.5) cm) from divide, end with a wrong side row.
Left Front Belt Opening

Next Row (right side): Continue in pattern as established over first 16 sts, slip remaining 41 (49, 57) sts onto a holder.

Center Front section: Work in pattern as established over the 16 sts for 6 more rows. Cut yarn and place these stitches on a holder.

Side section: With right side facing, slip the 41 (49, 57) sts from holder to left needle. Rejoin yarn and work in pattern as established for 7 rows. Do not cut yarn.

Next Row (wrong side): Work in pattern as established across side section sts, then across center front section sts—57 (65, 73) sts.

Continue in pattern until piece measures 29 (31, 33)” (73.5 (78.5, 84) cm) from divide, end with a Row 8 (row before a row containing ribLC sts) of pattern.

Last Row: K1, p2, *k2, p2; repeat from * to last marker, slip marker, [k2, p2, ribLC] twice, k2.
Bind off loosely in pattern.

Belt

Using cable cast-on, cast on 14 sts.

Row 1 (right side): K2, p2, ribLC, k2.
Row 2: P2, *k2, p2; repeat to end of row.
Row 3: K2, *p2, k2; repeat to end of row.
Row 4: P2, *k2, p2; repeat to end of row.
Rows 5–10: Repeat last 2 rows 3 times.

Repeat Rows 1–10 until piece measures 52” (132 cm) from beginning, end with a Row 9.

Bind off loosely in pattern.

Finishing

Fold piece in half, bringing cast-on edge up to meet bind-off edges. Beginning at lower edges, sew side seams leaving 9 (10, 11)” (23 (25.5, 28) cm) open for armholes. Weave in ends. Weave belt through belt openings.