In Bloom Ruana CAL – A Free Crochet Lace Shawl Pattern

If you love warmer weather, crocheted accessories that are fantastic for summer, finding inspiration in flowers and are looking for a crochet pattern that has interesting stitch work and a unique construction, you will love this crochet lace shawl pattern.

To celebrate the warmer months and with inspiration from flowers, my absolutely lovely friend Agat from Made by Gootie and I have come together again to create a pattern and crochet-a-long event that we think you will absolutely love.

A Collaborative Crochet Along (CAL) by Made by Gootie and The Loophole Fox

Together we designed a crochet lace shawl in a ruana style which features lacy stitches inspired by flowers and a unique construction. 

Perfect for accessorizing in the summer, the In Bloom Ruana is not your typical triangle shawl. Designed to drape over the shoulders, it’s as gorgeous worn casual with jeans and a t-shirt as it is fancied up with a dress.

Agat and I are both totally in love with the Mitered Square technique and are thrilled that we were able to use it in this pattern that we co-designed.

We invite you to join us in making the In Bloom Ruana during a crochet-a-long (CAL) event. 

Continue reading below to learn more about this event, how you can join the CAL and the options for participating.

How Will The In Bloom Ruana Crochet-a-Long Work?

What is a crochet-a-long (CAL)?

First things first, if you’ve never heard of a crochet-a-long (CAL) before, you might be wondering what this type of event even is.

A CAL is an event where different crocheters around the world crochet the same pattern at the same time. 

Events like these break up the pattern into parts and each part is released on a schedule. This gives time for crocheters to make each piece together and be a part of the community surrounding the CAL.

How will each part be released for the CAL?

This crochet lace shawl is constructed using 3 mitered squares which are seamed together into a wrap or ruana shape.

To create the crochet ruana, you will need to make a total of 3 squares. Agat and I designed one square each and we leave it up to you to choose which of the two squares you want to make twice.

The squares and seaming methods will be released as free crochet patterns on the website of the designer on schedule (see the schedule below). 

The squares will be released one per week with an additional week allotted to make a second of whichever square you chose. 

Finally, two options for seaming will be released at the same time at the end of the CAL.

What is a mitered square?

The squares in this crochet lace shawl pattern use the Mitered Square technique, which means there are no long starting chains and that the squares are easy to alter the size if you need to, by crocheting more or less rows than stated in the pattern.

The Mitered Square technique begins the square in one corner and continually grows in size and stitch count as you work the rows. Rows are worked on two sides of the square with a corner created by a chain 2 space in the center.

If you’ve never worked a mitered square before, don’t worry! It’s a lot easier than it sounds and we have included a ton of photos in the PDF pattern.

You can also check out some of my smaller mitered square patterns to get an idea of the method prior to making this crochet lace shawl. 

You can try out my Crochet Kitchen Towel, the Juni Dishcloth or my Crochet Bonding Squares patterns for small, quick projects that will help get you in the groove of what a mitered square is.

In Bloom Ruana Free CAL – Timeline

The In Bloom Ruana is a free CAL event in which the finished project is a beautiful crochet lace shawl. The CAL officially ended on July 20, 2023 but you can still make your own In Bloom Ruana at your own pace by following the links below!

• June 29, 2023 – Week 1, Part 1: Flower Buds Square – Designed by Made by Gootie
  
• July 6, 2023 – Week 2, Part 2: Blooming Square – Designed by The Loophole Fox
  
• July 13, 2023 – Week 3: Create a second square of your choice from the released patterns.
  
• July 20, 2023 – Week 4, Part 3: Seaming instructions including two seaming options and graphics on how to seam the squares together into a crochet lace shawl will be released.
  • Seaming Option 1 – Invisible Whip Stitch by The Loophole Fox
  • Seaming Option 2 – Slip Stitch in Back Loop Only by Made by Gootie

The written instructions for the In Bloom Ruana are free patterns on our websites. I host my own square and one of the seaming options. Agat hosts her square and one of the seaming options.

Make your own crochet lace shawl by joining the In Bloom Ruana CAL!

We are incredibly excited to invite you to join the CAL for the In Bloom Ruana, a crochet lace shawl pattern. 

We can’t wait to see how your In Bloom Ruana turns out, the colors you choose and hang out with you during the event.

You have several options for joining the CAL:

• Sign up for my newsletter to make sure you don’t miss the release of any part of this crochet lace shawl pattern. You’re also welcome to respond to emails from me with your progress or questions.
  
• Join us both in our Facebook communities where you can share your progress or ask questions. We invite you to join both of our groups, the Fox Den Crochet Community and the Made by Gootie FB Community, where we will both be hanging out to cheer you on and excitedly tell you how lovely your work is.
  
• If you’re an Instagrammer, you can use the hashtag #InBloomRuanaCAL and tag me @theloopholefoxcrochet and Agat @madebygootie to share your work with us.
  
• You can purchase the premium PDF pattern to get access to everything all at once and get crocheting.

The In Bloom Ruana PDF Pattern

If you prefer to have everything in one place, don’t like the idea of jumping from one website to the other for each pattern or prefer to have the pattern without ads, the premium In Bloom Ruana PDF pattern is a fantastic option for you.

The purchase of the In Bloom Ruana PDF pattern will give you access to all the technical information, the entire pattern (including both squares), two options for seaming and photo tutorials for both squares as well as both seaming options all on one document.

We also have put together a “Printer Friendly” version of the PDF pattern for those who like to print patterns but may want to save ink. This included secondary PDF removes all of the photo tutorial pictures but leaves important graphics (that are mostly black and white) and the main design photo.

The In Bloom Ruana – Crochet Lace Shawl Construction

The In Bloom Ruana is constructed using 3 mitered squares which are seamed together into a wrap or ruana shape. 

Unlike traditional triangle shawls, this design does not have 3 edges with one long side to be worn across the shoulders. Instead, the squares and seaming come together to create an opening at the neck which makes the sides of the shawl drape over your shoulders without bunching up.

To create the crochet ruana, you will need to make a total of 3 squares. Agat and I designed one square each and we leave it up to you to choose which of the two squares you want to make twice.

You will crochet the Flower Buds Square which is the first square to be released. Agat designed this square which was inspired by flowers beginning to peek through after a long winter.

Then you will crochet the Blooming Square which is the second square to be released. I designed this square which celebrates flowers in full bloom.

For the third week, you will choose one of the squares to make a second time to be your third square.

Finally, two options for seaming will be released to end the CAL.

The square you made one of will be the back center piece. The square you made two of will be your front pieces to be seamed on either side of the single square.

Here you can see the 2 different options for the Ruana:

• The pink ruana made by Agat used 2 Flower Buds squares at the front with 1 Blooming Square at the back.
  
• The lavender ruana made by me used 2 Blooming Squares at the front with 1 Flower Buds square at the back.

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In Bloom Ruana Pattern & CAL – Notes & Information

With the release of each pattern, you will of course receive notes, abbreviations and everything you need for the specific square.

However, the crochet lace shawl pattern as a whole also has notes and technical information that you’ll need before starting the pattern and through the duration.

SKILL LEVEL

The skill level for this crochet ruana pattern is Intermediate. Crocheters looking to participate in this CAL should know how to:

• Read a crochet pattern
• Work the basic stitches – Chain, single crochet and double crochet
• Be familiar with creating chain spaces
• Be familiar with working several stitches into one stitch or chain space
• Be familiar with or become familiar with the following special stitches: “Closed” Puff Stitch (Both 4 YO and 5 YO variants) and Stacked Single Crochet (Optional but recommended)
• Be prepared to learn or already be familiar with the mitered square technique.

Yarn, Tools and Notions you’ll need for this crochet lace shawl CAL

YARN

DK (3) Weight cotton or cotton blend yarn of your choice. You will need approximately:

Total Amount of Yarn Needed: 500 g / 1,250 m / 1,365 yards.
Per Square Made: 160 g / 400 m / 437 yards.

For our ruanas, we used Stylecraft Naturals Bamboo & Cotton DK. This is a blended yarn made of 60% bamboo and 40% cotton. It’s an incredibly soft cotton yarn with a touch of shine that has an incredible stitch definition that made both patterns stand out.

We highly recommend this yarn and were over the moon with it. However, we know not everyone prefers cotton or you may have some yarn in your stash. It is absolutely okay to change the fiber, if you prefer.

Please note: because this is a cotton and bamboo blend, this DK yarn is on the thinner side and may have a significant gauge difference to an acrylic or wool DK. If you wish to use acrylic or wool yarn, you may want to look into a Sport (2) weight instead.

Yarn substitution ideas:

• Lion Brand Comfy Cotton Blend
• Premier Bamboo Fair
• Bernat Softee Cotton
• We Crochet’s CotLin

Check out our tester’s photos for yarn and color inspiration:

TOOLS

• 3.5 mm (E) Crochet Hook or Crochet Hook to match gauge
• Tapestry Needle
• Scissors
• Stitch Markers (If preferred, not required)
• Blocking Mats, Blocking Pins & a Spray Bottle (Or steamer, if you don’t use cotton yarn)

Final Size of the In Bloom Ruana

The crochet ruana pattern is made out of 3 squares. Each square is approximately 19.5 x 19.5 inches (49.5 x 49.5 cm).

The finished In Bloom Ruana Shawl has the following finished measurements:

Length (from center-back neckline to tip of triangle at small of back): 28 inches (71 cm)
Wingspan: 57 inches (145 cm)

This size was designed as a one size fits all. Agat and I made the same size and ensured we had the same gauge. I am significantly taller (and bigger in shoulder/chest measurements) than Agat. Both of our ruanas fit us properly.

However, if you think your ruana should be bigger (or smaller), it wouldn’t be difficult to alter the size.

You can repeat the instructed repeat rows as many times as necessary to create the length you’d prefer. Make sure to end on the same repeat row as listed in both patterns and make sure that you work the same number of rows for all 3 squares.

Blocking (It’s important)

Because of the nature of the mitered square, it’s important to block your project. You can either block each square, or the finished ruana.

Your squares should block to approximately 19.5 inches on each side, though depending on the yarn you choose and your tension, they may be slightly larger (and that’s okay!)

Mitered squares are squares but they can take on a sort of diamond shape, especially when the design is mostly lacy stitches, like in this crochet lace shawl.

This means that you will need to block either the squares or the finished ruana.

Both Agat and I blocked our squares prior to seaming. It did not require additional blocking after being seamed. 

A note on blocking and fibers:

Agat and I used a cotton/bamboo blend yarn for our project and it is generally what we would suggest for this pattern due to its durability, stitch definition and it’s a great material for summer.

You may choose to use a different fiber and that is okay!

If you use cotton yarn
Cotton yarn is best blocked using room temperature water. Pin the project down while dry, making sure each side is straight and the shape is square. Then spray it with room temperature water until damp and then leave to dry.

If you use acrylic yarn
Acrylic yarn needs moisture and heat to block properly. This is best done with a hand held steamer or iron but can be achieved without. Pin the project down while dry, making sure each side is straight and the shape is square. Then, making sure that you DO NOT touch the yarn with the metal face of your steamer or iron, apply steam to the project until damp and leave to dry.

*If you do not have a steamer or iron, you can spray the project with water and then use a hair dryer to apply heat. This takes longer and isn’t quite as good as using a steamer or iron but it is an option. Personally, I’d recommend investing in a hand held steamer. They aren’t too expensive and makes blocking acrylic yarn significantly easier.

If you use wool yarn
Wool is best known for how much it can stretch when blocking. So much so that there are two different options for wool: Soak or spray. I would recommend not soaking wool for this project as it will likely stretch significantly beyond the size listed (if you want it to stretch significantly, do this).

Instead, pin the project down while dry, making sure each side is straight and the shape is square. Then spray with water until damp and leave to dry.

In Bloom Ruana Free CAL – Patterns & Links

The In Bloom Ruana is a free CAL event in which the finished project is a beautiful crochet lace shawl. The CAL officially ended on July 20, 2023 but you can still make your own In Bloom Ruana at your own pace by following the links below!

• June 29, 2023 – Week 1, Part 1: Flower Buds Square – Designed by Made by Gootie
  

• July 6, 2023 – Week 2, Part 2: Blooming Square – Designed by The Loophole Fox
  

• July 6, 2023 – Week 2, Part 2: Blooming Square – Designed by The Loophole Fox
  
• July 13, 2023 – Week 3: Create a second square of your choice from the released patterns.
  
• July 20, 2023 – Week 4, Part 3: Seaming instructions including two seaming options and graphics on how to seam the squares together into a crochet lace shawl will be released.
  • Seaming Option 1 – Invisible Whip Stitch by The Loophole Fox
  • Seaming Option 2 – Slip Stitch in Back Loop Only by Made by Gootie

The written instructions for the In Bloom Ruana will be released as free patterns on our websites. I will host my own square and one of the seaming options. Agat will host her square and one of the seaming options.

Did you love this free crochet lace shawl pattern? Make sure to share the love and Pin it to Pinterest!

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