The Woodland Lace Cowl is my newest crochet pattern. And while this pattern is fresh off the digital presses, it’s been over three years since I first made this scarf. I’m happy to report it’s been one of my most worn winter accessories since.
I love the solid rust color with the textured neutral accent at the top. The design creates a balance of texture and color to create a woodland feel—hence the name.
I’ve loved lacy shell stitches since the first day I tried them, and I’m sure you will enjoy looping them, too!
If you would like to create this piece, you can get your copy of the Woodland Lace Cowl crochet pattern here.
Crochet Class: I offered this cowl as a crochet class this month for the Rebecca Page Crochet Summit. It was such an honor to be invited to teach a video workshop for her first ever crochet summit, and I’m excited to see what’s in store for next year. For those of you who attended, hello! I hope you enjoyed the course! And if you didn’t get to attend, not to worry, you can still grab the pattern in my shop right here.
My Crochet Design Process
I wanted to create a staple wardrobe piece for keeping cozy, and my goal was to reflect a pleasant scene in the woods.
My inspiration came from a forest filled with rich, deep colors and the many patterns and textures found there.
I was picturing a soft bed of moss, mushrooms, and pine needles with a shimmer of sunlight shining through the bark and leaves onto the forest floor.
To translate my vision into a crochet piece, I chose a delicate lacy shell stitch to pull in a soft and dynamic feel and paired it with my favorite burn orange rust color. A neutral, flecked accent yarn at the top adds extra interest and hints at the medley of nature, too.
In a nutshell, the Woodland Lace Cowl is modern, nature-inspired, cozy, and versatile.
Next, I played around with sizes. I love when cowls are large enough to wrap around the neck twice. They are so cozy and warm! Since I originally designed it with rows (rather than rounds), it can easily be kept as a free-ended scarf, too, if you prefer.
Color Combination Ideas
The light neutral color at the top of the Woodland Lace Cowl would look amazing paired with any earthy toned yarn.
I’m picturing some pretty moss green colors, plum purples, or mustards. Perhaps a mushroom tone would be a great companion to an already colorful wardrobe to add a bit of softness.
You can also play around with the accent color on top. From bright white to cream to beige, there are so many options to pair with a more vibrant tone for the bottom part.
Ways to Wear this Scarf
I wear my crochet cowls around the house with an oversized sweater and leggings, with jeans and a basic shirt, and with a fancy dress. It also looks lovely with a warm winter coat and boots, with a vest and hat while ice skating, or even while hiking in the woods.
How to Make the Woodland Lace Cowl
Start making this crochet project today. You can find all of the tools and instructions in my easy-to-use, printer-friendly pattern in my shop.
Hand-Carved Wood Crochet Hooks
Of course, I used my hand-carved crochet hook to make this cowl. My hubby made it for me a few years ago from a tree branch, and it’s my all-time favorite hook to work with. The wood makes for quick and smooth stitches.
I’ve been getting a lot of requests for handmade hooks after I featured it in my video crochet class, so we decided to offer a limited batch in the shop! You can now get your own hand-carved, woodland-inspired crochet hook right here.
And that’s the story behind the Woodland Lace Cowl. I hope you enjoyed getting a peek at my design process.
What colors would you love to make it with? Let me know in a comment below. As always, I love seeing crochet and knitting photos on Instagram as you make it, so be sure to snap a pic and tag me!
