Tree Farm Cowl

Tree Farm Cowl by Julia Schwartz

Project Overview

The Tree Farm Cowl is an intermediate-level crochet design that creates a cozy, wearable accessory measuring 6 by 26 inches when worn in the loop. This downloadable crochet pattern from designer Julia Schwartz offers a sophisticated project suitable for crocheters with foundational skills who are ready to expand their technical abilities.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a single cowl—a circular neckwear piece that drapes around the shoulders and neck. The finished cowl measures 6 inches in width and 26 inches around the loop, making it a versatile accessory that can be worn as a casual neck warmer or styled as a fashion statement piece.

Crochet Techniques and Special Stitches

The Tree Farm Cowl incorporates specialized crochet techniques that elevate it beyond basic stitch work. The pattern features two primary special stitches:

• Foundation Double Crochet (fdc): This technique allows crocheters to create a foundation chain and first row of double crochet in a single step. The fdc begins with a yarn over, then the hook inserts through the bottom horizontal V of the stitch just finished, yarn over and pull back through for a total of 3 loops on the hook, followed by yarn over and pull through 1 loop (which counts as the chain), then yarn over and pull through 2 loops twice. This stitch creates a more elastic and professional-looking foundation edge compared to traditional chain-based foundations.
• Front Post Double Treble (fpdtr): This textured stitch adds dimensional interest to the cowl. The fpdtr is worked by yarning over 3 times, inserting the hook around the desired stitch from front to back, yarn over and pulling through for a total of 5 loops on the hook, then completing yarn over and pull through 2 loops four times. Front post stitches create raised, textured fabric that works beautifully for creating visual depth and interest in cowl designs.

Materials and Tools

The Tree Farm Cowl pattern calls for specific materials to achieve the intended drape and warmth:

• Yarn: Yarn Bee Alpaca Twist, a medium weight (aran/worsted weight) yarn composed of 90% acrylic and 10% alpaca. This blend combines the softness and luxury feel of alpaca with the durability and affordability of acrylic. The yarn provides 175 yards per 3.5 oz skein; the pattern requires multiple skeins (exact quantity specified in the downloadable PDF).
• Hook: J/10 (6mm) crochet hook. Designer Julia Schwartz notes that as a loose crocheter, she uses this size, but crocheters with tighter tension may need to select a larger hook to achieve proper gauge.
• Notions: A tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends and finishing the project.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern establishes a gauge of 13 stitches by 10 rows over 4 inches in the stitch pattern used. Achieving proper gauge is essential for the cowl to reach its intended finished dimensions of 6 by 26 inches. Crocheters should swatch before beginning and adjust hook size as needed to match this gauge, as individual tension variations can affect the final size and drape of the finished cowl.

Difficulty Level

Rated as intermediate, this pattern assumes familiarity with basic crochet stitches and techniques. The inclusion of specialized stitches like foundation double crochet and front post double treble makes this project ideal for crocheters looking to develop their skills beyond beginner-level work while remaining accessible to those with some experience.