The main feature of this cowl is the repeating pine tree stitch pattern across the center of the cowl. The inspiration for this design comes from both childhood memories of driving through the New Jersey pine barrens with my family on our way to the seashore, as well as my love of the textures and motifs in the Guernsey knitting tradition.
The diamond pattern below the trees was chosen deliberately as an homage to Guernsey knitters from long ago.

This cowl is worked in the round from the bottom up, using a combination of knit and purl stitches.

Any worsted weight yarn with multiple plies will work. I recommend wool, but alpaca and angora yarns or blends are not recommended as the halos those fibers create will detract from the stitch definition.