Want this pattern for free? Get a unique code for a free copy of the pattern when you purchase the kit from Amazing Threads! Offer valid while supplies last. Only applicable to the specific Karst Mystery Kit purchased through Amazing Threads

Mystery Cave is a significant feature in the karst terrain. This terrain consists of limestone and dolostone carbonate bedrock that lies very close to the surface. Mystery Cave has over thirteen miles of underground passages and is the longest cave in Minnesota. It is part of the Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park near Preston in southern Minnesota.

Mystery Cave was formed as the Root River began sinking underground through fractured bedrock. It is unknown when the cave began to form, but some passages explored have existed more than 200,000 years ago. As the water continues to drip and flow through the Mystery Cave, it is constantly changing and forming calcite speleothems including stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstone. It also contains several types of iron-cored speleothems which are known in only a few other caves in the
world.

This shawl was designed to represent Mystery Cave. The top of the shawl in blue is the water that created the cave and even today is still constantly changing it. The narrow bands are the crystals slowing forming from the water. The mosaic section is the stalactites and stalagmites of the cave.