The design of this cowl is inspired by Frances Wendover, the young heiress at the centre of the Georgette Heyer novel The Black Sheep. It is a sister-in-design to the Lavinia Grayshott hat pattern.

Frances, or Fanny, is young, beautiful, rich, and in love with a scoundrel. She goes riding and driving with her beau, and this cowl would also keep her warm for her clandestine walks with him through the streets of Bath.

The cowl is worked in one piece in the round, so every row is worked from the right side. The detailed design uses twists and lace to create a trio of blooming lotus flowers.

The pattern has both full charts and line by line written instructions. There are some unusual twisted decreases alongside the usual double and single decreases, yarnovers and stitches knit through the back loop. A simpler alternative to the twisted decreases is included in the instructions.

The sizing is adaptable and the cowl can be made longer or taller as desired.

This cowl is best knitted in a solid, tonal or gradient yarn to show off the details of the textured lace.

The cowl is designed to be knit in a yarn with a yardage of about 200m/220yards per 100 grams. This includes all of the Cascade 220 series as well as Bendigo Woollen Mills Luxury and Classic 8 ply yarns.

Thanks to the wonderful test knitters of this pattern: justJnet, gloryjj, Fredchen, greatminds, marthajane73, NettKunst.