Valley Yarns Cold Spring Shawl Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Cold Spring Shawl

What Is Being Made

The Cold Spring Shawl is a soft, light, minimalist wrap designed by Kirsten Hipsky. This knitted shawl features a beautiful cascade of gradient colors that progress through multiple color transitions, creating a visually striking effect. The finished shawl measures 24 inches wide and 60 inches long, making it an ideal accessory for layering or draping across the shoulders.

Craft and Techniques

This is a knitting project worked flat on straight needles. The shawl is classified as beginner level difficulty, making it an excellent choice for knitters new to shawl construction. The design employs a straightforward technique of holding multiple strands of yarn together and changing colors at regular intervals to create the gradient effect.

The color progression is achieved by systematically switching yarn strands every 12 inches throughout the project. The shawl begins with two strands of Silver Spring held together, then transitions to one strand each of Silver Spring and Regal, followed by two strands of Regal, then one strand each of Regal and Precious Pink, and finally two strands of Precious Pink. This methodical color blocking creates a smooth visual gradient without requiring complex colorwork techniques.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch: The primary stitch throughout the body of the shawl, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side. This produces the classic smooth, flat fabric characteristic of stockinette.
• Garter Stitch: A narrow garter stitch border is worked along all four sides of the shawl. Garter stitch is created by knitting every row, producing a textured, reversible fabric that adds definition and prevents edge curling.

Materials and Specifications

The Cold Spring Shawl is knitted using Valley Yarns Southampton, a luxuriously soft yarn blend composed of 72% Kid Mohair and 28% Mulberry Silk. This fiber combination creates an exceptionally lightweight and airy fabric with a subtle sheen.

Yarn Requirements:

• 3 balls of color 018 Silver Spring (A)
• 4 balls of color 026 Regal (B)
• 3 balls of color 023 Precious Pink (C)

Each ball of Valley Yarns Southampton contains 25 grams and yields 230 yards. The project requires US size 10 (6.00mm) needles or the size necessary to achieve proper gauge. The recommended gauge is 16 stitches over 4 inches when working stockinette stitch with yarn held double.

Construction Details

The shawl is constructed by casting on 96 stitches and working in a flat, rectangular format. The pattern begins and ends with 4 rows of garter stitch to create finished edges. The body alternates between stockinette stitch rows, with knit stitches on the right side and purl stitches on the wrong side, while maintaining a 2-stitch garter stitch border on both sides throughout. This border technique frames the stockinette center and provides structural stability to the edges.