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Sycamore Knit Ruana Pattern

Meet the Sycamore Ruana… a wrap sweater that’s part cardigan, part poncho, and entirely cozy. It starts as one long flat piece worked from bottom front to bottom front, joined at the back neck, then folded in half and seamed up the sides to create effortless armholes. No shaping puzzles, no set-in sleeves, just knit, fold, and seam.

What makes this one special is the texture story running down the front and back: a ribbed border, a lacy panel, a column of small twisted cables, and a big ribbed cable panel, all worked side by side and color-coded in the pattern so you always know exactly where you are. Add two cozy patch pockets and you’ve got a piece that’s as practical as it is pretty.

Throw it over a tee and leggings for an easy layer, wear it over a dress for something a little more polished, or let it do double duty as a blanket-scarf hybrid on chilly evenings. However you wear it, the Sycamore Ruana is built to be lived in.

What You’ll Love About This Pattern
Color-coded stitch panels. The 2x2 Rib, Lace Panel, Small Cable Pattern, and Big Cable Panel are each highlighted in a different color throughout the written pattern, so you always know which section you’re working.
Pockets that pull double duty. The pocket linings are knit first and serve as your gauge swatch, so there’s zero wasted knitting.

Pattern Format and Support
This pattern includes clear written instructions with color-highlighted stitch sections so you can always find your place, plus a full set of video tutorials covering the techniques used throughout, from the continental knit and purl stitch to cabling, lace knitting, fixing a miscrossed cable, and wet blocking.

Pattern Details
Designer: Marly Bird
Craft: Knit
Skill Level: Adventurous Beginner
Project Type: Wrap sweater / ruana

Construction: Worked flat in one piece from the bottom fronts, joined at the back neck, continued to the bottom back, then folded and side-seamed to form armholes

Sizes: S-XL (2XL-5XL) — the smaller size is closer to a true one-size fit, and the larger size runs a bit roomier

Finished Chest Circumference: 64 (76)“ 162 (193) cm after blocking

Finished Length (folded): 22 (30)“ 56 (76) cm after blocking

Yarn Weight: Worsted (CYCA #4)

Needles: Two US 9 5.5 mm 40” circular needles (used flat, to accommodate the full width of stitches)

Gauge: 20 sts x 26 rows = 4” 10 cm in Stockinette st (not essential to the fit, but affects total yarn needed)

Techniques Used
Garter stitch edging, 2x2 ribbing, lace knitting (yarn overs paired with k2tog, k2tog tbl, ssk, and sk2p decreases), 1/1 and 3/3 ribbed cable crossings with a cable needle, side seaming, and blocking.

Why You’ll Enjoy Making It
There’s a nice rhythm to this one: rib, lace, cable, cable, repeat, so your hands settle into the pattern quickly even while the fabric stays visually interesting. Watching the four textured columns grow side by side, especially once the twisted cables start crossing, is genuinely satisfying, and the color-coded pattern means you’re never scanning back through rows trying to figure out where you left off.

Get the Pattern

This pattern is available as an instant-download PDF, ready to add to your pattern library and cast on right away.

It is also a free pattern on my website supported by ads.