It is fitting that this pattern is published today, the 2 year anniversary of my radiation.

The cowl design became an eclectic mix of patchwork, lace, and cable knitting. Each block finds its inspiration from a character living in the manor during Season Five. The cowl is organized into 9 sections which contain one to three block patterns.

This pattern has had quite a journey….
In 2013 I was commissioned to knit a gift for Laura Carmichael (yes Lady Edith). I used the Downton Sampler scarf by PerkasiePaige. I added 5 new stitch patterns to make sure the current cast was covered. The sampler was so much fun.

My students pushed and pushed for me to create another sampler for them. I combined my love of patchwork with sampler stitching to create this unusual cowl. I started knitting and writing in a frenzy. I had 6 of the 9 sections knitted and written when I was diagnosed with eye cancer in my left eye. Needless to say, this creation sat in time out while my eye healed and my vision settled down.

In August 2014, I dusted her off and began again - my cowl was finished by the end of 2014. My faithful testers finished in the first quarter of 2015. My greatest challenge of this journey has been editing and formatting this pattern. It took almost as long as knitting and and writing it.

This pattern has been test knit for accuracy. Please let me know if you encounter any issues along the way. Thank you.

Skill: Intermediate
lace and cable stitches
Yarn: DK weight. I used 9 different colors (you will have leftovers). It looks lovely in a single color as well.
Needles: US 6
Gauge: 4 stitches/inch

There are 25 pages in this pattern.