Free knitting patterns for ruana wraps - large blanket shawls or open front square ponchos inspired by the traditional Andes garment. Many of the patterns are free. Updated 11/9/24
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These patterns are not my designs but links to other designers who have generously shared their patterns. If you have questions about how to knit a specific pattern, please contact the designer directly.
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Free Patterns
Fringy Wrap Shawl
Garter stitch ruana with intarsia triangles and fringe is structured like a cardigan body with open sides. Designed by Faunaknit. Quick knit in Bulky weight yarn. A kit is also available.
Marmee Ruana
Poncho wrap is essentially a cardigan with open sides knit with a 4 row repeat texture. Designed by Sarah Bronske. Aran weight yarn.
Panel Checks Please
Ruana poncho wrap featuring an eye-catching checkerboard of slipped stich mosaic squares. The ruana features a squared back, open sides, and divided front. Designed by Yarnspirations Design Studio. Aran weight yarn.
Arrow Lace Ruana
Poncho wrap with squared back, open sides, and divided front knit with 4 row repeat Arrow Lace. Designed by Kimberly K. McAlindin for Lion Brand. DK weight yarn.
Stone Ridge Ruana
Garter stitch creates a flowy garment that drapes beautifully over the shoulders and is fastened with a knit strap in front. Sizes XS/S, M/L, XL/2XL, 3XL/4XL. Beginner level knitting pattern according to the designer. Designed by Alexandra Tavel. DK weight yarn. Web version is free
Embossed Ruana
Poncho wrap with squared back, open sides, and divided front knit with 12 row repeat stitch. Designed by Tori Gurbisz for Premiere Yarns. Worsted weight yarn.
Rocky Mountain Ruana
Oversized wrap that features stunning stranded colorwork. Sizes S/M, L/XL. Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Jean Klein.
Palermo Poncho Ruana
Color block poncho with squared back and divided front knit with 2 row repeat seed stitch. Designed for 6 colors, this is a great stashbuster and you can use more or fewer colors as you wish. Designed by Lion Brand. Quick knit in super bulky yarn.
More Free Patterns
Ridgefield Ruana
Shawl with squared back and divided front knit with 2 row repeat Garter Rib and edged with cable. Designed by Irina Poludnenko for Lion Brand. Rated easy by the designer. Quick knit in super bulky yarn.
Diamonds In The Rough Ruana
Shawl with squared back and divided front knit with moss stitch diamonds and eyelets. Designed by Ashley Heinen. DK weight yarn held double.
Squared Shawl
Simple modular poncho style wrap knit with 2 strands of different colors held together for a marled effect. Perfect stash buster. Designed by Beata Jezek for Hedgehog Fibres. Fingering weight yarn.
Dayleza Ruana
Open front, open side ruana style poncho knit in garter stitch. Quick knit in bulky weight yarn on large needles. Great show case for gradient yarn. Designed by Berroco Design Team.
Rhinebeck Ruana
Cable cardigan wrap knit in 2 pieces and seamed down the back to form a modified v-shape to create an open front. Knit with 2 row repeat garter rib and a 16 row cable panel. Rated easy by the designer. Quick knit in super bulky yarn. Designed by Lion Brand.
Woodland Ruana Wrap
The bulky yarn makes this shawl cozy and quick to knit, while the easy eyelet 6 row repeat gives it texture that works great with multi-colored yarn. Designed by Lorna Miser.
Effortlessly Chic Ruana
This wrap is knit with a divided front in stockinette with a garter stitch ruffle. Rated easy by the designer. The only challenge is that stitches are picked up for the ruffle. Designed by Marly Bird for Red Heart. Aran weight yarn.
Catskills Ruana
This easy cardigan is knit with a 2 row repeat box rib stitch and edged with a plait cable. Worked flat in one piece. Designed by Lion Brand who rates it as easy+. Quick knit in bulky weight yarn.
Cloaked in Clouds Poncho
Alexandra Tavel’s easy cardigan sweater was inspired by blanket ruanas and features a wide rib collar and a thermal stitch for warmth. Quick project in bulky yarn, it is rated easy by the designer and Ravelrers. Web version is free.
Patterns for Purchase
Wa Ruana
Versatile shawl with a back piece known as a ruana with large Celtic Cable framed with Round cables and small cables. Wear it as a vest, a wrap or a generous shawl around your neck. DK weight yarn. Designed by Linda Marveng.
Cobble Hill Morning Cape
Blanket ruana poncho is an easy level knitting pattern and the techniques involved are the knit stitch, purl stitch, k2tog, k3tog, m1l and m1r increases, k2kp, ssk, slipping stitches, and picking up and knitting from an edge. Quick knit in super bulky yarn. Designed by Alexandra Tavel. A kit is also available.
Breeze Ruana
Ruana style poncho features vertical stripes, lots of airy lace, comfortably shaped shoulders, and simple straight silhouette. Ruana can be worked in any number of colors and is perfect for using up leftover yarn or mini skeins. Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Ksenia Naidyon for Life Is Cozy.
Caledonia Ruana
Ruana style poncho knit in what looks like a 2 row repeat garter rib stitch. Knit the fronts separately, then join the pieces to work the back. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Amy Christoffers.
Truth or Consequences Ruana
Poncho inspired by the fabulous colors and scenery of the American Southwest incorporates dual front pockets hidden in the sideways knitted stripes, while garter rows offset the solid stockinette body from the striped sections. Sizes S/M/L (XL, 2XL, 3XL) DK weight yarn. Designed by Renate Kamm.
Marca Ruana
3 color poncho that looks like it's knit in an 8 row repeat. DK weight yarn. Designed by Amy Palmer.
Walk With Me Cape
Ruana style wrap with pockets knit in garter stitch with cable detail up the back. The color blocked design makes it great stashbusting. Designed by Afifa.
Kimono Ruana
Looks like a 2 row repeat that creates textured stripe columns. Open front poncho worked flat in one piece with full back and 2 front panels. Perfect for gradient yarn. Designed by Sandi Prosser for Noro. Aran weight yarn.
Simple Top Ruana
No longer free. Knit in 4 pieces with a garter stitch collar and reverse stockinette body, this combination wrap/cardigan/poncho looks great in multicolor yarn. Sizes S/M (L/1X, 2X/3X). Designed by Heather Lodinsky.
