Ruska is a boxy pullover 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.

POSITIVE EASE: 8-10 cm/ 3-4 inches

SIZES
1 (2, 3, 4, 5), 6, 7, 8, 9

FINISHED BUST MEASUREMENTS:
84 (94, 104, 114, 124), 134, 144, 155, 165 cm / 33.25 (37.25, 41, 45, 49), 53, 57, 61.25, 65.25 inches

TO FIT FULL BUST OF:
75 (85, 95, 105, 115], 125, 135, 145, 155 cm / 29.75 (33.5, 37.5, 41.5, 45.5], 49.5, 53.25, 57.25, 61.25 inches

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 inches for the back (adjustable)

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 inches

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 inches

SLEEVE LENGTH (from underarm):
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 inches (adjustable)

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 inches

The photo shows a size 2 worn with approx. 9 cm / 3.5 inches of positive ease.

DIFFICULTY: Intermediate

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. 577 (693, 694, 794, 853), 953, 1022, 1111, 1205) m / 630 (698, 759, 868, 932), 1042, 1117, 1214, 1317 yds of a similar yarn.

The sample is knitted with Ona from Mokoša in the colourway Rust.
I recommend using a worsted weight yarn (preferably non-superwash and woolen spun) for this project. Alternatively, consider combining a lace-weight yarn like mohair with a sport or DK weight yarn. However, keep in mind that mohair’s fuzziness can overpower the cable pattern.
Please be aware that adjusting the length of the garment or the needle size you need to achieve the stated gauge will also affect the amount of yarn needed to finish the project.

NEEDLES: 5 mm / US 8 circular needles with a cable of at least 80 cm / 32 inches

GAUGE: 16 sts & 26 rows = 10 cm / 4 inches in stockinette st 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