Backwoods Cowl

Backwoods Cowl by Alicia Plum

Project Overview

The Backwoods Cowl is an intermediate-level knitting pattern designed by Alicia Plum. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a substantial cowl featuring a finished lower edge circumference of 33.5 inches (85.5 cm) and a height of 17.25 inches (44 cm). The design incorporates a three-color colorwork technique that evokes a cozy, rustic aesthetic inspired by outdoor evenings.

Yarn and Materials

This pattern calls for worsted weight yarn in three distinct colors, allowing for creative color selection while maintaining consistent yarn weight throughout the project. The pattern specifications include:

• Main Color (MC): Brooklyn Tweed Shelter, a 100% Targhee-Columbia wool yarn providing 140 yards per 50-gram skein. The pattern sample uses Flannel (a blue shade) and requires 4 skeins.
• Contrast Color 1 (CC1): Nezinscot Farm Yarns & Woolens, a blend of 10% mohair, 10% angora, and 80% lambswool yielding 250 yards per 4-ounce skein. The shown colorway is Brown Blend (dark brown), requiring 1 skein.
• Contrast Color 2 (CC2): Hinterland Range, combining 50% Rambouillet and 50% alpaca with 198 yards per 112-gram skein. The sample features Honey (cream), requiring 1 skein.

Needles and Notions

The Backwoods Cowl pattern requires two needle sizes to achieve proper fabric structure and fit. Knitters will need US 7 (4.5 mm) needles for the main fabric and US 5 (3.75 mm) needles for ribbed sections or shaping. Additional notions include a stitch marker for tracking pattern repeats and a darning needle for weaving in yarn ends.

Gauge and Blocking

The pattern specifies a gauge of 20 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch when worked on the larger needles. Accurate gauge is essential for achieving the correct finished dimensions. The pattern instructions emphasize wet blocking the gauge swatch to ensure precise measurements, as blocking can significantly affect the final dimensions of the completed cowl.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

This intermediate-level project incorporates multiple knitting techniques. The primary stitch structure is stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, classic fabric suitable for colorwork. The three-color design indicates the use of stranded colorwork or Fair Isle techniques, where multiple yarn colors are carried across rows to create the pattern. The use of two needle sizes suggests the pattern includes ribbed sections (likely worked on smaller needles) that provide structure and elasticity, contrasting with the stockinette body worked on larger needles. The difference in needle sizes helps create definition between sections while maintaining consistent yarn weight throughout.

Design and Construction

The Backwoods Cowl is constructed as a substantial neckwear piece with generous dimensions suitable for layering and draping. The three-color palette and rustic inspiration suggest a design that celebrates natural fiber characteristics and traditional knitting aesthetics. The intermediate difficulty rating indicates that knitters should be comfortable with basic shaping, colorwork techniques, and reading pattern instructions, though the project remains accessible to those with foundational knitting skills.