How to Make a Ruana Cloak

I show you how to make an Irish style ruana or donegal cloak / cape / wrap.
I make this from 100% heavy wool loden, so it's warm and weatherproof. Got it on sale on aktivstoffe.de (not affiliated, get your fabric wherever.)
Still about 20€ for a running meter, so about 40€ for the cloak.
You could also use a surplus military wool blanked, you can pick those up for about 20€ on ebay. Try to get 100% wool one, like a Norwegian one.

[@areylanoctivim9047]

I've had a $2 roll of 2yds of fabric sitting in my room for months that I wanted to make into a ruana style cloak thanks to Living Anachronism and thanks to you I followed along and finally made one last night. This one is most definitely more for fashion and shoulder coverage like a shawl and it's technically unfinished because I want to be fancy and give it a ribbon hem among other things, but it's still fully wearable and is going to work on me today! I'll make another that's more properly cloak-like later and with no hesitation. Thank you!

[@ScottRedstone]

I started to look for wool ponchos for this winter. Nothing looked good to me. Mostly wimpy rounded shouldered “fashion” type stuff. Found your site because I wanted to see the shape of the cloth. Never expected to make one. Today I ordered the exact wool I wanted with some weight to it. I’ll probably fold over the edges and sew it closed to give it a finished look. Then off to my forge to make clasp. You saved me lots of money and gave me two fun projects before the first snows of winter. Winter is Coming.

[@officialnarcissco4533]

What did you order?! I cannot find anything thicker than 1mm that is pure wool & has the length necessary without it being a sheet or cut.

[@elihaugen2971]

I considered making a cloak. I know it's easy, but I was not quite sure how to do it. Because of this I now feel more secure and can have fun with it. so thank you so much for the explanation of how to make these.

[@YourLocalGreebo]

How did it go

[@elihaugen2971]

​@@YourLocalGreebo actually went so well that I made 2 of them. and there will probably be more in the future. and they were actually warmer than i thought they would be. which is very nice when I want something simple but warm to go out with this winter.

[@tomasfoldyna5357]

Thanks, man! Your guide is helpful. I do plan to sew a hood to a ruana after I make one after your video.

[@charlesstanford1310]

Hail brother! I just made one of these from a Swiss army blanket. This is fun because I note that I look a lot like you - I'm even wearing a similar shirt as I watch. Subscribed.

[@larpwright]

Let me congratulate you on your ravishing looks and impeccable sense of fashion. ;)

[@oli5053]

I might order a wool blanket online and use that! Thanks for the tutorial!

[@SpaceDad87]

This made my day man! Such a versatile cloak for costuming and so easy to make.

[@lisakoehler8502]

I have 2 yards of black microsuede that I will be turning into this ruana. I live in S Tx so it will be great on our coldest days (40s) 😁Thank you!!!!

[@Raurie4]

this was helpful in giving me direction for starting one of these so thank you.

[@Lot_2023]

That excitement WAS justified. I want one!

[@eliciashe-her4802]

Awesome tutorial. I'm even more excited about my project now that I've seen how simple it is to make. Thanks!

[@bridgetpollock1298]

Absolutely fascinating 👌; am crocheting a ruana but definitely plan to make a couple of these ready for the winter.

[@michalurbanful]

Nice guide, thanks! :)

[@cryptowheat]

Simple, effective, I love it

[@ErikNonIdle]

Great video! I love your rather blunt presentation :)

[@madamhummingbird]

Excellent tutorial. Well done, handsome 👌

[@eddavanleemputten9232]

I never realised his was called a ruana cloak. Close to 20 years ago these were all the rage where I live, made out of thin(ish) synthetic wool-like fabric with fringes at the short ends. They were sold under the bale of “poncho” or “poncho-shawl”. I still have a burgundy one I absolutely love in winter at the office: I’m always cold and can wrap myself in it. The long edges are finished (very narrow hem). I’ve frequently considered making myself a hew one as the one I have is becoming a bit tatty. I’m in temporary housing right now (renovations, ugh!) but as soon as I have my sewing supplies and good scissors out of storage I’m taking the plunge and making myself a new one. I still have loads of very fine, soft wool fabric in my stash that would work perfectly for this. It’s got a lovely drape to it and I was saving it up for sole reason or other. Not anymore! I’m even considering some light embroidering along the edge of the cut in the middle and around the neck. Maybe. Alternatively perhaps something along the bottom edges that wouldn’t only fancy it up, but might slightly weigh down the undersides to help with wear and drape. Not sure yet. That can always be done once the basic cloak is finished. Thank you!

[@bunkyman8097]

I am a knitter and crocheter and a ruana is easy peasy to make and oh so stylish!

[@WannabeMarsanach]

9:03 Big shout. Went on a surplus shop and found material for a coak and pair of trousers, with pleanty more excess. Probobly got 4x the material for half the price..

[@larpwright]

Nice find 👍

[@hewolfshamanic]

thanks very much for this my friend. 'im making the new Zorro serie from prime cape, and its exactly like that.

[@lALLENl1]

This is so coooooooool man

[@sierra5360]

My boy here is an honorary Boyacense! Sumerce!

[@penniecormier8770]

I’m surprised you don’t need to sew the cut edges! I’m also planning to make one . Thank you so much!

[@larpwright]

With this heavily felted fabric, it's not necessary. You might want to fold over the edges once and sew them down anyhow for a clean look, or to get more durable edges.

[@magiersmurf]

Finally my inner child will be happy

[@IodoDwarvenRanger]

nice video :)

[@KR-bn4bg]

How have the edges held up over time? I'm thinking of using a wool blanket but I'm worried about the raw edges. I suppose the blanket I'd use will be more woven and less felted so it may be more necessary to finish the edges in my case

[@officialnarcissco4533]

Thank you. Would you recommend doubling the layer of felt / wool. Or would it make cloak to stiff & cumbersome?! Not stitching liner on but just doubling your material so cloak had two layers. I am going with 1mm wool felt pure & not sure if I should double it or not & how doubling effects cloak etc?!

[@larpwright]

Depends on how cold it is where you live. One layer is enough for central europe. Iˋd just put more layers under the cloak if it gets colder, like a warm wool tunic. Two layers would make the cloak thick and heavy. Though still wearable.

[@officialnarcissco4533]

@@larpwright Thank you.

[@clairbear7919]

This is exactly the type of cloak i have been looking for i couldnt work out how to get the style of putting it over the shoulder with other cloaks! Did you manage to attach a hood like you mentioned could you tell us how you did it

[@larpwright]

I made a hood, but stand alone, as that gives more flexibility. I put on the hood, and throw the cloak over it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJi2hYyMZbSBntksi=wqFR6Cobloe0PT4t

[@OakAthainNerin]

Awesome! Thank you so much. How tall are you? I’m 6 foot even, Just curious if I should add that extra 20 like you or not.

[@larpwright]

6.2 feet.

[@OakAthainNerin]

@@larpwright thank you man! Just made a nice ruana cloak from this video for viking fest here in California. Much lighter material tho given the climate.

[@tylerramquist9262]

Cool video ! So what are the measurements of your cloak? A bit of a language barrier so forgive me. It’ll give me an idea how big I need mine. I am only 5’8 and 130 lbs lol

[@larpwright]

It's 2.2 by 1.5 meters big. And I'm 1.9m at 140kg. Google tells me that this is 7´2 by 5 feet. And I'm 6´2 at 308 Ibs.

[@tylerramquist9262]

@@larpwright thank you for that!

[@trevorspeer2490]

Can you show how to make one with a hood?

[@larpwright]

Yes. Here you go kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJi2hYyMZbSBntk

[@hedysladovich1737]

Did you hem the edges?

[@larpwright]

I thought about it, but found that it is unnecessary with the felted wool that I'm using. That is so felted, it won't unravel at all.

[@shepherd3716]

Looks just like the cloak's the hobbits were wearing in Lord of the Rings

[@officialnarcissco4533]

How much double thickness for 6ft 4 man down to ankles please

[@larpwright]

Canˋt give you an exact number, but that sounds like you need a lot of farbic to start with. Like 5 meters. You can always make the cloak smaller after the initial cutting, by taking some length of in the front and back.

[@officialnarcissco4533]

@@larpwright Thank you will go with single layer now & get 3.4 metres giving a little extra.

[@nevetsdagur-fr9wx]

The Ruana is actually from Colombia not Ireland

[@AerdernixLittleDragonMacDane]

Ruana is not irish it is from South america

[@guano524]

FYI the Ruana is not Irish or Celtic, it's a cultural garment native to Colombia/Venezuela. For some reason people don't like to do a simple Google search anymore.

[@rooftile_mcgee]

It is tho - well, sort of. When a lot of people say ruana they're actually referring to the very similar irish walking cloak, which has celtic origin. You are correct, the name ruana (and the actual garment) is from south america, people just call each thing the same name, despite them being different

[@RainMakeR_Workshop]

Living History? I think your meant Living Anachronism lol.

[@DMAbCD]

Very awesome video and great tutorial.