Sunset Ruana: Free Tapestry Crochet Pattern

Growing up by the ocean, ocean sunsets were one of my favorite things to watch. I remember driving down to the beach with my family sometimes just to watch it, as we saw a new spread of colors every time. Ocean sunsets are each unique, and when Kelsie from Crafting for Weeks shared her idea for a guest design here on my blog, I couldn’t wait to see it! I am so excited to share her amazing design, the Sunset Ruana, a free crochet cover up and wrap. This crochet ruana pattern perfectly captures the beautiful and striking sunsets that I love!

I’m so excited to share this free crochet wrap pattern this week, and welcome Kelsie from Crafting for Weeks as my latest guest designer! I’ll hand it over to her, and let her share your crochet cover up pattern with you!

Want to save this pattern for later? Save it to your favorite Pinterest board! (Save it from mine here!)

Intro to Kelsie

Hi, I’m Kelsie Weeks! I’m the maker and designer behind Crafting for Weeks. I’m a Create-at-Home mom of 3 and I’m based in the Pacific Northwest. I started Crafting for Weeks a few years ago so I could share my yarn creations with a little corner of the internet. My designs are kinda playful with just a touch of modern style. One of my favorite things to do is to take something simple and make it look really visually interesting either with colorwork or texture.

My grandma taught me the basics of crochet when I was young, and I started learning again about 9 years ago. A few years ago, I decided to try my hand at designing. I fell in love with it and given that my time was largely consumed my motherhood, it was a much better fit for me than trying to keep up with custom orders. So a couple years down the road, my blog, Crafting for Weeks, is slowly growing and my shops are full of patterns! 

Intro to the Pattern

Today, I’m sharing the Summer Nights Ruana with you all! What really inspired this design was the idea of painting with yarn. I wanted to create a sunset scene in just yarn! A ruana was the perfect canvas as the back panel is essentially a large rectangle. When you’re done, you’ll essentially have a wearable piece of artwork.

When I was designing this pattern, I envisioned this piece going on a beach trip with you. The open ruana style was perfect for a swimsuit cover. And as the day turned to night, I could totally see wrapping up in this like a blanket to keep warm around a bonfire. Another fun option would be to go for dark, moody colors and create a moonscape scene over the water instead of a sunset. Either way, I think you’ll have a lot of fun with this pattern.

The Yarn

For this pattern, I used Lion Brand Ice Cream Cotton Blend. Lion Brand was kind enough to provide the yarn for this project. I’m a big fan of the Ice Cream Cotton Blend; I really enjoyed working with it.. It’s worsted weight cotton/acrylic blend and comes in 8 different colors. This yarn is really perfect for the project because the colors flowed so well together and the subtle striping of the yarn added some visual interest to the project. Plus I’m always a fan of cotton or cotton blends in the summer. While this pattern uses some striping for the sunset, another great option would be a variegated cake yarn that already has some sunset colors within it.

New to Tapestry Crochet or Crochet Color Work?

When I was first learning how to do crochet color work, I often felt so lost having to learn how to do color changes and reading crochet graphs. It can seem so intimidating to learn a new crochet skill! If you’re new to tapestry crochet or color work, then I’ve got just the resource for you.

Here on my blog, I’ve got a two free crochet tutorial for how to do tapestry crochet and intarsia crochet, which are the two most common crochet color work techniques. They’ll walk you through what each technique is, how to read crochet graphs, how to change colors in crochet, and a bunch of other tips I have for color work! You can find them here on my blog at:

– The Beginner’s Guide to Tapestry Crochet: (This technique is used when you would like to carry your yarn, and the color work is close together.)

– The Beginner’s Guide to Intarsia Crochet:This technique is used when you don’t want to carry your yarn, and instead would like to use yarn bobbins. I used this technique for the pine tree stitch.)

 

Supplies:

• 11 Skeins of  Lion Brand Ice Cream Cotton Blend (or similar Worsted Weight yarn)
  • 2 Skeins of Chocolate (400 yds)
  • 2 Skeins of Blueberry (375 yds)
  • 2 Skeins of Orange (375 yds)
  • 2 Skeins of Strawberry (375 yds)
  • 2 Skeins of Grape (400 yds)
  • 1 Skein of Lemon (50 yds)
• Size J (6.0mm) crochet hook
• Tapestry needle 
• Scissors 
• Measuring Tape

Abbreviations:

• Ch – Chain 
• HDC – Half Double Crochet
• HDC Fade – Half Double Crochet Fade
• HDC Mesh – Half Double Crochet Mesh (HDC, ch 1, sk 1 st)

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: 

• For a printable PDF version of the pattern, visit the Crafting for Week’s shop on Etsy and Ravelry.
• 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.
• There is a graph as well as written instructions to complete the color changes on this blanket.
• 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 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.
• The pattern involves color changes using tapestry or intarsia crochet. Experience with color work is recommended, but if you’re a beginner to tapestry crochet than you can totally do it! For a tutorial on how to do tapestry crochet, check out Claire’s Beginner’s Guide to Tapestry Crochet. For the tutorial for how to do intarsia crochet, check out Claire’s Beginner’s Guide to Intarsia Crochet.
• Want to avoid crochet mistakes while crocheting this pattern? Learn how to avoid them with Claire’s post on here on her blog: 10 Mistakes Common Mistakes Crocheters Make and How to Avoid Them.
• Reading a Graph: This project uses a graph to direct color changes. Each square represents a stitch. (Note: half double crochets and chain spaces count as stitches in this pattern.) Because this is worked in rows, you will start at the bottom right corner and work across to the left. Then you will move up to the next row and follow the graph across from the left to the right. You will continue working back and forth for the entire front panel. You can find out more details about this in Claire’s: Beginner’s Guide to Tapestry Crochet.

Special Stitches:

• Half Double Crochet Mesh: HDC, ch 1, sk 1 st
• Half Double Crochet Fade: This is a special stitch that will allow you to blend two colors together without increasing the size of the stitches. This stitch is used to create the reflection of the sun on the water. You will be carrying your second color yarn through this stitch. For a video on this technique, click here LINK COMING MONDAY.
  • Yarn over with both colors, insert hook into stitch. 
  • Pull up a loop with the main color only, leaving accent color behind the stitch.
  • Yarn over with main color only, and pull through all 3 loops on hook. 

Sunset Ruana 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 nine more times ending on a Row 3 repeat. 

 

WATER

NOTES: You will be using the HDC fade technique in this section. See Special Stitches for help with this stitch. When you complete the last square 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. 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. 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. 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 51-60: Switch to Color D (Orange). Repeat Rows 2-4 twice.

Row 61–70: Switch to Color E (Strawberry). Repeat Rows 2-4 twice.

Row 71-75: Switch to Color F (Grape). Repeat Rows 2-4 once. 

Row 76-80: Switch to Color D (Orange). Repeat Rows 2-4 once.

Row 81-90: Switch to Color F (Grape). Repeat Rows 2-4 twice.

Row 91-95: Switch to Color E (Strawberry). Repeat Rows 2-4 once.

Row 96-105: Switch to Color F (Grape). Repeat Rows 2-4 twice.

Row 106: 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 and leave ends if adding fringe, otherwise weave ends.

 

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. (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 nine 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 51-60: Switch to Color D (Orange). Repeat Rows 2-4 twice.

Row 61–70: Switch to Color E (Strawberry). Repeat Rows 2-4 twice. 

Row 71-75: Switch to Color F (Grape). Repeat Rows 2-4 once. 

Row 76-80: Switch to Color D (Orange). Repeat Rows 2-4 once.

Row 81-90: Switch to Color F (Grape). Repeat Rows 2-4 twice.

Row 91-95: Switch to Color E (Strawberry). Repeat Rows 2-4 once.

Row 96-105: Switch to Color F (Grape). Repeat Rows 2-4 twice.

Row 106: 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

1. 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.
2. Optional: Hold panels in place with locking stitch markers or quilting clips. 
3. With long tail seam along the top edge of front and back panel using mattress stitch. Repeat on second panel.
4. Tie off. Weave ends along the inside edge of front panel. Leave ends on outside if adding fringe.

FINISHING

1. Weave ends along the inside edge of front panel. Leave ends on outside if adding fringe.
2. Block your piece.
3. Optional: Add fringe along the outside edges of front and back panel.

I hope you love this pattern! It’s pretty to fun to make and with all those half double crochet stitches, it moves along pretty quickly. If you’re looking for more of my work, check out my blog, Crafting for Weeks, for free patterns. And you can purchase this PDF or any of my other patterns in my Etsy shop or my Ravelry shop. You can also follow along with what I’m up to on Instagram or Facebook.

Happy stitching,

Claire

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