With the Summer Nights Throw Blanket out there in the crochet world, it only seemed fitting to bring the pattern that started the set over to my blog as well…the Summer Nights Ruana! I’m so excited to be adding this crochet ruana pattern to Crafting for Weeks. This colorful wrap garment made it’s debut on the E’Claire Makery blog back in June and I wanted to add it to my free pattern collection here before the summer’s end.
The following is a free pattern, if you would like to purchase a detailed, ad-free PDF version of this pattern, please visit my Etsy or Ravelry shop. All rights reserved.
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The Inspiration
When I began throwing ideas around for an idea for Claire’s blog I knew I wanted something that incorporated colorwork. If you’ve visited E’Claire Makery, you know that Claire does a lot of designs that focus on tapestry crochet and colorful designs. So I wanted something that would appeal to her audience.
I knew right away that I would be making a crochet ruana and I settled on a sunset theme. I pictured this item as something that could double as a swim cover, and also as a blanket/wrap for bonfires at the beach. On top of all that, I wanted to make it look like I was painting a beach scene with yarn. The Summer Nights Ruana really ended up checking all the boxes, and I’ve gotta say that I’m pretty pleased with it for my first crochet ruana pattern.
If you love this ruana, be sure to check out the Summer Nights Throw Blanket. The throw blanket uses the same color scheme and techniques to make a home decor piece instead of a garment.
The Yarn
For this project, I used Lion Brand Ice Cream Cotton Blend. This was a new release for Lion Brand this past summer. I really love the slightly variegated effect it had; I felt like this subtle color changing gave the ruana some dimension. This yarn also has flecks of white throughout it, so it really tied all the color in together and made the color changes flow.
UPDATE: Lion Brand has since discontinued this yarn. Sad face! But I’ll give you a few ideas for substituting yarn below.
Yarn Substitution Ideas
I always like to provide alternate options for yarn on my projects. Since Ice Cream Cotton Blend is a worsted weight yarn, you have a lot of options for substitution. If you’re sticking with cotton, another great option for this would be I Love This Cotton from Hobby Lobby, or Dishie Cotton from WeCrochet. One great thing about the Dishie Cotton is that it also comes in Dishie Multi, which some of the colors have that variegated effect that I loved with the Ice Cream Cotton. Another potentially great option I’ve seen if Comfy Cotton Mist from WeCrochet. This yarn has some similar tones to the Ice Cream Cotton Blend, so it I think it’ll be a great sub.
While I like to work with cotton for summer-y projects, ultimately any worsted weight yarn will work. Just be aware that if you’re using a acrylic or wool, your drape might be a bit different.
If you’re ok with an acrylic yarn over a cotton or cotton blend, check out Red Heart Ombre. I think the subtle ombre effect of this one will make the color changes in the project look amazing. If you have questions about yarn subs or have some more great ideas for me, leave a comment below!
Special Techniques
Most of the color changes in the project are simple row changes. However, there is a bit of tapestry crochet involved. And there’s one area that I incorporated a special technique to get it a special effect.
When I was trying to get the sunset reflection on the water, I wanted to use two strands of yarn without increasing the size of the stitches. To do this, I came up with a fun technique that I called HDC Fade Stitch. I have a full step-by-step tutorial on this technique right here! (I’ll also drop the video tutorial down below!)
And I as I mentioned, there’s a bit of tapestry crochet involved. While I have included the written instructions below, there is also a graph that you can work from. It is a bit too wide to see well on the blog, but you can download it as a free bonus for signing up for my newsletter. Simply subscribe below for access to the download.
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Materials Needed
- 11 Skeins of Lion Brand Ice Cream Cotton Blend (or similar Worsted Weight yarn)
- Chocolate – 2 Skeins (400 yds) [Brown]
- Blueberry – 2 Skeins (375 yds) [Blue]
- Orange – 2 Skeins (375 yds) [Orange]
- Strawberry – 2 Skeins (375 yds) [Pink]
- Grape – 2 Skeins (400 yds) [Purple]
- Lemon – 1 Skein (50 yds) [Yellow]
- (NOTE: While the sample shown was made with yardage listed, some feedback suggested slightly higher yardage requirements )
- Size J (6.0mm) crochet hook
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
- Measuring Tape
Stitches Used
HDC – Half Double Crochet
Ch – Chain
HDC Fade – Half Double Crochet Fade
HDC Mesh – Half Double Crochet Mesh (HDC, ch 1, sk 1 st)
Skill Level
Intermediate
Gauge
(With J hook) *HDC row, HDC row, HDC Mesh row.* Repeat from * to * until swatch reaches appropriated size. 12 stitches x 10 rows = 4” square
Finished Measurements
28” x 50”
Notes
- Chains at the beginning of the rows do not count as stitches throughout this pattern.
- This pattern repeats the same 3-row combination (Hdc, Hdc, Hdc Mesh) throughout the blanket. This pattern is continued through color changes as well.
- If adjusting the width, it is recommended that you add stitches in increments of 4; 2 stitches to each end of the ruana and 2 stitches to each of the front panels. Keep the added stitches on each end in mind when completing the sunset portion of the piece.
- If adjusting the length of the piece, continue the 3-row combination adding whatever color changes you wish until the piece measures the desired length. Add the same number of repeats to the front panels.
Pattern
BACK PANEL
SAND
Row 1: With Color A (Chocolate), Ch 162. Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. (161)
Row 2: Ch 1 and turn. Hdc in each stitch across. (161)
Row 3: Ch 1 and turn. *Hdc 1, ch 1, sk 1 st. (HDC Mesh) * Repeat from * to * until you reach the last stitch. Hdc in last stitch. (81 Hdc, 80 ch sp)
Row 4: Ch 1 and turn. Hdc in top of last hdc from previous row. *Hdc in ch sp, hdc in top of hdc from previous row.* Repeat from * to * across ending with hdc in last stitch. (161)
Row 5-15: Repeat Rows 2-4 four more times ending on a Row 3 repeat.
WATER
NOTES: You will be using the HDC fade technique in this section. If you are using the chart (page 11), the light blue squares will indicate which stitches use this technique. See Special Stitches for help with this stitch. When you complete the last stitch of HDC fade in a row, leave the accent color there to be picked up in the following row and finish the row with the main color. If the next row starts HDC fade several stitches over, stretch the yarn to the new stitch, then work over the visible accent yarn. In rows that there are chains between the hdc stitches, you will complete a chain with main color around the accent color. To do the chains, place your hook under both strands and chain with the main color.
Row 16-30: Switch to Color B (Blueberry). Add Color C (Lemon) for HDC Fade stitches. Repeat Rows 2-4 changing colors based on the following row instructions or use chart (page ). End on a Row 3 repeat.
← Row 16 [RS]: (Blue) x 78, (HDC Fade) x 5, (Blue) x 78
→ Row 17 [WS]: (Blue) x 78, (HDC Fade) x 5, (Blue) x 78
← Row 18 [RS]: (Blue) x 78, (HDC Fade) x 5, (Blue) x 78
→ Row 19 [WS]: (Blue) x 74, (HDC Fade) x 13, (Blue) x 74
← Row 20 [RS]: (Blue) x 74, (HDC Fade) x 13, (Blue) x 74
→ Row 21 [WS]: (Blue) x 74, (HDC Fade) x 13, (Blue) x 74
← Row 22 [RS]: (Blue) x 70, (HDC Fade) x 21, (Blue) x 70
→ Row 23 [WS]: (Blue) x 70, (HDC Fade) x 21, (Blue) x 70
← Row 24 [RS]: (Blue) x 70, (HDC Fade) x 21, (Blue) x 70
→ Row 25 [WS]: (Blue) x 66, (HDC Fade) x 29, (Blue) x 66
← Row 26 [RS]: (Blue) x 66, (HDC Fade) x 29, (Blue) x 66
→ Row 27 [WS]: (Blue) x 66, (HDC Fade) x 29, (Blue) x 66
← Row 28 [RS]: (Blue) x 62, (HDC Fade) x 37, (Blue) x 62
→ Row 29 [WS]: (Blue) x 62, (HDC Fade) x 37, (Blue) x 62
← Row 30 [RS]: (Blue) x 62, (HDC Fade) x 37, (Blue) x 62
SUN
NOTES: In this section, you will be carrying the “sky” color as you complete the “sun” stitches. You will work the sun stitches around the unused sky color. When you complete the last square of sun in a row, leave the accent color there to be picked up in the following row and finish the row with the sky color. Work over the sun yarn, when decreases are more than one stitch. In rows that there are chains between the hdc stitches, you will complete a chain stitch with both colors.
Row 31-36: Switch to Color D (Orange) and Color C (Lemon). Repeat Rows 2-4 changing colors based on the following row instructions or use chart (page ). End on a Row 3 repeat. (For Written Instructions, see page 7)
→ Row 31 [WS]: (Orange) x 65, (Yellow) x 31, (Orange) x 65
← Row 32 [RS]: (Orange) x 65, (Yellow) x 31, (Orange) x 65
→ Row 33 [WS]: (Orange) x 65, (Yellow) x 31, (Orange) x 65
← Row 34 [RS]: (Orange) x 66, (Yellow) x 29, (Orange) x 66
→ Row 35 [WS]: (Orange) x 67, (Yellow) x 27, (Orange) x 67
← Row 36 [RS]: (Orange) x 68, (Yellow) x 25, (Orange) x 68
Row 37-42: Switch to Color E (Strawberry) and Color C (Lemon). Repeat Rows 2-4 changing colors based on the following row instructions or use chart (page ). End on a Row 3 repeat.
→ Row 37 [WS]: (Pink) x 69, (Yellow) x 23, (Pink) x 69
← Row 38 [RS]: (Pink) x 70, (Yellow) x 21, (Pink) x 70
→ Row 39 [WS]: (Pink) x 71, (Yellow) x 19, (Pink) x 71
← Row 40 [RS]: (Pink) x 73, (Yellow) x 15, (Pink) x 73
→ Row 41 [WS]: (Pink) x 75, (Yellow) x 11, (Pink) x 75
← Row 42 [RS]: (Pink) x 161
SKY
Note: Each of these color changes will end on a Row 3 repeat.
Row 43-48: Switch to Color D (Orange). Repeat Rows 2-4 twice.
Row 49–54: Switch to Color E (Strawberry). Repeat Rows 2-4 twice.
Row 55-57: Switch to Color F (Grape). Repeat Rows 2-4 once.
Row 58-60: Switch to Color D (Orange). Repeat Rows 2-4 once.
Row 61-66: Switch to Color F (Grape). Repeat Rows 2-4 twice.
Row 67-69: Switch to Color E (Strawberry). Repeat Rows 2-4 once.
Row 70-75: Switch to Color F (Grape). Repeat Rows 2-4 twice.
Row 76: With Color F (Grape) Ch 1 and turn. Hdc in top of last hdc from previous row. *Hdc in ch sp, hdc in top of hdc from previous row.* Repeat from * to * across ending with hdc in last stitch.
Fasten off.
FRONT PANEL
SAND
Row 1: With Color A (Chocolate), Ch 74. Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. (73)
Row 2: Ch 1 and turn. Hdc in each stitch across. (73)
Row 3: Ch 1 and turn. *Hdc 1, ch 1, sk 1 st. (HDC Mesh) * Repeat from * to * until you reach the last stitch. Hdc in last stitch. (37 Hdc, 36 ch sp)
Row 4: Ch 1 and turn. Hdc in top of last hdc from previous row. *Hdc in ch sp, hdc in top of hdc from previous row.* Repeat from * to * across ending with hdc in last stitch. (73)
Row 5-15: Repeat Rows 2-4 four more times ending on a Row 3 repeat.
WATER
Rows 16-30: Switch to Color B (Blueberry). Repeat Rows 2-4 five times ending on a Row 3 repeat.
SKY
Rows 31-36: Switch to Color D (Orange). Repeat Rows 2-4 twice.
Rows 37-42: Switch to Color E (Strawberry). Repeat Rows 2-4 twice.
Row 43-48: Switch to Color D (Orange). Repeat Rows 2-4 twice.
Row 49–54: Switch to Color E (Strawberry). Repeat Rows 2-4 twice.
Row 55-57: Switch to Color F (Grape). Repeat Rows 2-4 once.
Row 58-60: Switch to Color D (Orange). Repeat Rows 2-4 once.
Row 61-66: Switch to Color F (Grape). Repeat Rows 2-4 twice.
Row 67-69: Switch to Color E (Strawberry). Repeat Rows 2-4 once.
Row 70-75: Switch to Color F (Grape). Repeat Rows 2-4 twice.
Row 76: With Color F (Grape) Ch 1 and turn. Hdc in top of last hdc from previous row. *Hdc in ch sp, hdc in top of hdc from previous row.* Repeat from * to * across ending with hdc in last stitch.
Fasten off leaving long tail for seaming. Make 2 Front Panels.
SEAMING THE RUANA
- Line up the front panels and the back panel along the top edges of each piece. The outside edges should meet and there should be a gap between the two panels.
- Optional: Hold panels in place with locking stitch markers or quilting clips.
- With long tail seam along the top edge of front and back panel using mattress stitch. Repeat on second panel.
- Tie off and weave tail.
FINISHING
- Weave ends along the inside edge of front panel. Leave ends on outside if adding fringe.
- Block your piece.
- Optional Fringe: Add fringe along the outside edges of front and back panel. (Note: I used my leftover scraps to create fringe for this ruana. Please note that the yardage totals listed above do not include fringe.)
Final Thoughts
I hope you love the Summer Nights Ruana as much as I do! This piece is so stunning when it’s finished; its basically a work of art in yarn. And I’d love to see some of your finished ruanas. Be sure to tag me @craftingforweeks on Facebook or Instagram and use the hashtag #summernightsruana! And if you loved this project, be sure to check out the Summer Nights Throw blanket as well!
Until next time, Happy Crafting!
[…] of you may be familiar with my Summer Nights Ruana that released earlier this year. This colorful sunset wrap was a top seller for me this summer. But […]