RUSKA SWEATER

Ruska is a boxy sweater featuring intricate cables and a unique construction. With I-cord edges and three-quarter-length sleeves, it can also be styled as a blouse. The name "Ruska" is inspired by the Saami word for autumn, a season when Finland's forests burst into a vibrant display of reds, yellows and oranges, resembling an artist’s palette. Upon seeing photographs of Finland during this breathtaking transformation, I was instantly captivated and added a trip to experience Ruska to my bucket list. Later, while holding several balls of ONA yarn by Mokoša in the Rust colourway, I felt as though I was already in Finland, surrounded by the beauty of the Ruska season.

SIZES

1–9 (see the schematic on the next page)

EASE

8–10 cm / 3.25–4” of positive ease around bust

MEASUREMENTS (See the dimension schematic in the image gallery.)

Neck width

18.5 (20.5, 22, 24, 24), [25.5, 27, 27, 29] cm  / 7.5 (8, 8.75, 9.5, 9.5), [10, 10.75, 10.75, 11.5]"

Shoulder length

11 (11.5, 13, 14.5, 16), [18, 19.5, 22, 23.5] cm / 4.25 (4.5, 5, 5.75, 6.25), [7, 7.75, 8.75, 9.25]"

Sleeve length

38 (38, 38, 40.5, 40.5), [41.5, 41.5, 44, 44] cm / 15 (15, 15, 16, 16), [16.5, 16.5, 17.5, 17.5]"

(3/4 length, adjustable)

Upper arm circumference

36.5 (39, 41, 43, 46), [51, 56, 61, 65] cm / 14.5 (15.5, 16.25, 17, 18.25), [20.25, 22.25, 24, 25.75]"

Wrist circumference

24 (24, 24, 26.5, 27.5), [30, 31.5, 31.5, 34] cm / 9.5 (9.5, 9.5, 10.25, 10.75), [11.75, 12.5, 12.5, 13.25]"

Armhole/yoke depth

16.5 (17.5, 19, 21, 21.5), [26, 27.5, 28.5, 31] cm / 6.5 (7, 7.5, 8.5, 8.75), [10.25, 11, 11.5, 12.25]"

Sweater length

48 (49, 49, 50, 50), [50, 51, 51, 52] cm / 19 (19.25, 19.25, 19.75, 19.75), [19.75, 20.25, 20.25, 20.5]"

(for the back, adjustable)

Bust circumference

84 (94, 104, 114, 124), [134, 144, 155, 165] cm / 33.25 (37.25, 41, 45, 49), [53, 57, 61.25, 65.25]"

YARN

You need 4 (4, 4, 5, 5), [6, 6, 7, 7] skeins of Ona from Mokoša 

(180 m / 100 g, Suffolk 95%, Wallachian 5%); 

or approx. 580 (650, 700, 790, 850), [950, 1020, 1120, 1200) m / 630 (710, 760, 860, 930), [1040, 1120, 1210, 1320] yds of a similar yarn. 

NEEDLES

5 mm / US 8 circular needles 

with a cable of at least 80 cm / 32" and/or DPNs for the sleeves.

GAUGE

16 sts & 26 rows = 10 cm / 4” in stockinette stitch 

worked both flat and in the round, after washing and blocking

NOTIONS

• Markers
• Cable needle if using
• Waste yarn/st holders
• Tapestry needle
• Blocking tools

ABOUT THE CONSTRUCTION

You start the sweater in the middle of the yoke and first knit the front part and then the back part of the yoke. Next, you join these two parts and work the shoulder piece. After the shoulder is finished, you cast on sts for underarms, join to knit in the round and work the right sleeve. Then, you pick up sts in the middle of the yoke and work the left part of the yoke, left shoulder and sleeve. Both sleeves are finished with an I-cord edge. Next, you pick up sts along the yoke and knit the body with cabled side panels. The front and back are then split and worked separately. The body is also finished with an I-cord edge. Finally, sts are picked up along the neck opening and bound off to create a neat edge.