Side Tie Ruana Waistcoat Knitting Pattern

Side Tie Ruana in Noro Geshi

What is Being Made

The Side Tie Ruana is a beginner-friendly knitted waistcoat designed as an easy-to-construct layering piece. This garment features a distinctive side-tie closure detail and is available in five sizes: Small, Medium, Large, X-Large, and XX-Large. The finished measurements range from 36 inches (91.5 cm) at the bust for the smallest size to 52 inches (132 cm) for the largest size, with length measurements varying from 28 inches (71 cm) to 30.5 inches (77.5 cm) depending on the size selected.

Techniques Used

This knitting project employs several fundamental and intermediate techniques suitable for beginner knitters. The construction includes lace pattern work, which creates an open, decorative fabric. Knitters will practice picking up and knitting along edges to add new stitches, a technique essential for creating the side tie closure. The pattern incorporates slip stitches for edge finishing, which helps create clean selvage edges that make seaming easier. Yarn overs are used throughout the lace pattern to create the characteristic openwork design. The pattern also includes decreasing techniques such as slip, slip, knit (ssk) to shape the garment and maintain stitch counts. Stitch markers are used to help track pattern repeats and important points in the construction. Additionally, the pattern includes I-cord construction using double-pointed needles, which is used for the side tie straps.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch – the fundamental stitch forming the base fabric
• Purl stitch – used in combination with knit stitches for texture and pattern variation
• Yarn over – creates new stitches and openings characteristic of lace patterns
• Slip, slip, knit (ssk) – a left-leaning decrease stitch used for shaping
• Slip stitch – used for edge finishing and creating selvage edges
• I-cord – a tubular cord created with double-pointed needles, used for the side tie straps

The lace pattern is worked from charts where "no stitch" spaces appear as shaded areas indicating where stitches have been decreased or not yet made. Knitters skip over these spaces while working the remaining stitches of the chart, a technique that allows the pattern to maintain its visual design while accommodating shaping.

Materials and Tools

The Side Tie Ruana is knitted with Noro Geshi yarn in colorway #9. The yardage requirements are 2 balls (200g each) for Small, Medium, and Large sizes, and 3 balls for X-Large and XX-Large sizes, providing approximately 400g or 600g of yarn depending on the size being made. The project requires one pair of size US 6/4mm needles for the main fabric construction. Double-pointed needles (dpn) in the same or similar size are needed for creating the I-cord ties. The recommended gauge is 21 stitches and 28 rows to 4 inches (10 cm) over lace pattern using size US 6/4mm needles, making it essential to check gauge before beginning the project to ensure proper finished measurements.