1323 Columba - Shawl Knitting Pattern for Women in Valley Yarns Southampton and Huntington Splash

1323 Columba Shawl Knitting Pattern by MaryKate Fleming for Valley Yarns

The Columba shawl is a generously sized, crescent-shaped shawl designed by MaryKate Fleming and published by Valley Yarns. Worked entirely in garter stitch, this elegant wrap combines two contrasting Valley Yarns in a striking two-tone stripe effect, allowing the unique texture of each yarn to stand out beautifully. The finished shawl measures an impressive 24 inches deep and 90 inches wide, making it a truly wrap-worthy accessory for any season.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a single, one-size crescent shawl designed for women. The crescent shape is achieved through short row shaping and strategic yarn-over increases worked on both right-side and wrong-side rows, giving the shawl its graceful, curved silhouette. At 90 inches wide, the finished piece is large enough to drape generously around the shoulders or wear as a lightweight wrap.

Construction and Techniques

The Columba shawl is worked flat (not in the round) and constructed top-down from the center outward, beginning at the spine of the crescent and expanding toward the two tips. This seamless, top-down approach means there is no seaming required at any stage. Key construction techniques include:

• Garter Tab Cast-On: The shawl begins with a classic garter tab cast-on, a method beloved in shawl knitting for creating a neat, tidy starting edge. Three stitches are cast on using the Long-Tail Cast-On method, knitted for six rows, then stitches are picked up along the long edge and the cast-on edge to establish the initial nine working stitches.
• Short Row Shaping: Simple short rows are used to create the characteristic crescent curve, shaping the shawl so it sits naturally around the neck and shoulders.
• Yarn-Over Increases: Stitches are increased on both right-side and wrong-side rows using yarn-overs, building the shawl's width as it grows from the center outward.
• Stripes with Two Yarns: The pattern alternates between the main color (MC) and contrast color (CC) in a structured stripe sequence. Rather than cutting yarn between stripes, the unused yarn is dropped and twisted as the working yarn is picked up, keeping floats tidy and transitions smooth.
• Held Strands: Sections of the shawl are worked holding one strand of MC and one strand of CC together, while other sections use each yarn singly. This interplay of single and doubled strands creates subtle textural variation across the shawl's surface.

Stitches Used

The Columba shawl is worked entirely in garter stitch — every row is knitted, with no purl stitches required. This makes the fabric reversible, squishy, and beautifully textured, and is an ideal choice for showcasing the halo and sheen of the yarns used. Stitch markers are placed to delineate the central panel from the border stitches, and yarn-overs are the sole increase method used throughout. The simplicity of an all-garter construction makes this an accessible project for advanced beginner knitters who are ready to explore shawl shaping and multi-yarn stripe techniques.

Materials: Yarn

The pattern is specifically designed for two Valley Yarns yarns used in combination:

• Valley Yarns Huntington Splash (MC): A 4-ply / fingering weight yarn composed of 75% Superwash Merino wool and 25% nylon, sold in 100 g / 436-yard hanks. The pattern calls for 2 hanks in colorway 04 Atlantic Ocean. The nylon content adds durability and stitch definition, while the Superwash Merino provides soft, machine-washable warmth.
• Valley Yarns Southampton (CC): A luxurious lace-weight yarn made from 72% kid mohair and 28% mulberry silk, sold in 25 g / 230-yard balls. The pattern calls for 3 balls in colorway