1261 Cold Spring Oasis - Shawl Knitting Pattern for Women in Valley Yarns Southampton by Valley Yarns

Pattern Summary: Cold Spring Oasis Shawl – Knitting Pattern #1261 by Susan Baron

About This Pattern

The Cold Spring Oasis Shawl is a beautifully simple yet visually striking knitting pattern designed by Susan Baron and published by Valley Yarns. Described as lighter than air, this rectangular shawl is an ideal accessory for adding a pop of color and warmth to any outfit. The pattern is rated Beginner level, making it an excellent project for newer knitters who want to explore color work without the complexity of colorwork techniques like stranded knitting or intarsia. It is available as a downloadable PDF.

The finished shawl measures 24 inches wide and 64 inches long in a single, generous size that wraps and drapes beautifully. Because the color combinations are nearly limitless given the wide range of Valley Yarns Southampton colorways available, knitters are encouraged to make multiple versions to coordinate with different wardrobes.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a rectangular shawl — sometimes called a scarf-style or oblong shawl — designed for women. Its generous length and width make it versatile enough to wear draped over the shoulders, wrapped around the neck, or folded and tied in a variety of ways. The soft, halo-rich mohair and silk fiber content gives the finished piece a luxurious, ethereal quality that belies its beginner-friendly construction.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern is specifically designed for Valley Yarns Southampton, a DK weight yarn composed of 72% Kid Mohair and 28% Mulberry Silk. Each ball contains approximately 230 yards from a 25g skein, making it a lightweight but yardage-rich yarn. The mohair content provides the signature soft halo and warmth, while the Mulberry Silk adds a beautiful sheen, drape, and strength to the finished fabric.

Two color options are provided in the pattern:

• Option 1: Color A – Chocolate (045), 3 balls; Color B – Terracotta (046), 3 balls; Color C – Tang (037), 2 balls
• Option 2: Color A – Bright Blue (043), 3 balls; Color B – Sky (042), 3 balls; Color C – Olive (035), 2 balls

A total of 8 balls of Valley Yarns Southampton are required for either colorway. The warm, earthy tones of Option 1 and the cool, nature-inspired palette of Option 2 both demonstrate how effectively the gradient stripe technique works across different color families.

The recommended needle size is US size 10 (6.00mm) on a 24-inch circular needle, or the size needed to achieve gauge. Although circular needles are used, the shawl is worked flat — back and forth in rows — so the circular needle simply accommodates the large number of stitches comfortably.

Gauge

Gauge is measured as 16 stitches over 4 inches in stockinette stitch, with yarn held double and the swatch blocked. Blocking is particularly important with mohair and silk blends, as it opens up the halo, evens out the stitches, and allows the fabric to reach its full drape and dimensions.

Techniques Used

• Worked Flat: The shawl is knitted flat, back and forth in rows, from cast-on edge to bind-off. This is one of the most straightforward construction methods in knitting, making it ideal for beginners.
• Stripes: Color changes are made every 7 inches throughout the length of the shawl, creating a gradient stripe effect. Rather than abrupt color changes, the striping technique here is particularly clever — only one strand of the held-double yarn is changed at a time, creating smooth, blended transitions between colors.
• Holding Yarn Double: Two strands of yarn are held together throughout the entire project. This technique is what allows a DK weight yarn to knit up on a US size 10 needle, creating a fabric with loft and warmth while still maintaining the delicate halo of the mohair.
• Long-Tail Cast-On: The pattern specifies the