Malabrigo Lilac Cape Knitting Pattern

Malabrigo Lilac Textured Ruana

What Is Being Made

The Malabrigo Lilac is a textured ruana—a draped, flowing garment designed for easy wear and comfortable layering. Ruanas are open-front ponchos that provide warmth and style without the fitted structure of traditional sweaters. This pattern is sized for Small/Medium, Large, and X-Large, making it accessible to a range of body types. The design emphasizes fluidity and movement, characteristic of the poncho family of garments featured in Malabrigo's Book 17 collection.

Craft and Construction Method

This ruana is created using the knitting craft. The garment is constructed using a bottom-up approach, meaning knitting begins at the lower edge and progresses upward toward the neckline. The pattern is worked flat on needles rather than in the round, which allows for easier shaping and construction of the open-front ruana silhouette. The design incorporates a seamless construction method, reducing finishing work and creating a smooth, professional appearance. Stripe patterning adds visual texture and interest to the finished garment.

Stitches and Techniques

The pattern employs fundamental knitting stitches suitable for a beginner to intermediate skill level. Key stitches include knit stitches (k), knit two together decreases (k2tog) for shaping, and slip stitches (Sl 1 wyib—slip one with yarn in back). The pattern features a center circle motif worked over 14 stitches, which creates textured detail. Techniques include turning rows to shape the garment, decreasing stitches to create tailored edges, and working specific stitch sequences to build the textured ruana construction. The pattern uses abbreviations such as T&DS (likely a textured decrease sequence) and kDS (knit decrease sequence) to create the dimensional surface texture characteristic of the design.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Malabrigo Lilac ruana is knitted using Washted by Malabrigo yarn, a superwash merino wool available in 3½ oz/100g hanks. Each hank provides approximately 210 yards/192 meters of yardage. Yarn requirements vary by size: the Small/Medium size requires 5 hanks in Cirrus Gray (MC), while the Large size requires 2 hanks in Indiciata (CC). This merino wool blend offers softness, breathability, and easy care through superwash treatment.

Needles specified include Size 4 (3.5mm) circular needles measuring 40–100cm in length. Circular needles accommodate the flat construction method while providing flexibility for the garment's width and drape. The needle size is appropriate for the yarn weight and creates the proper gauge for the finished fabric's texture and structure.

Skill Level

This pattern is rated for Beginner to Intermediate knitters. While the fundamental stitches are accessible to newer knitters, the shaping techniques, textured motifs, and garment construction require some experience with pattern reading and stitch manipulation.