SweetGeorgia Alexandra Shawl Wrap Crochet Pattern

SweetGeorgia Alexandra Shawl

What is Being Made

The Alexandra Shawl is a hybrid triangular shawl featuring lace and beadwork. This design, created by Anniken Allis, is worked from the top down and incorporates a distinctive centre insertion panel that creates an elegant shape suited to sitting comfortably on the shoulders. The finished shawl measures 50 inches (127 cm) in width and 19 inches (48 cm) in depth.

Techniques Used

This shawl combines multiple advanced techniques to achieve its sophisticated appearance. The primary construction method involves working from the top down with strategic increases positioned at the beginning, end, and either side of the central insertion panel. These increases are worked on every other row to create the triangular shaping. The pattern incorporates lace elements worked from charts, requiring the ability to read and follow charted instructions. Beadwork is integrated throughout the design using a specific bead-addition technique where beads are placed on a crochet hook, transferred onto stitches, and then knitted into the fabric. The pattern also includes a crochet hook edging worked with a Size E / 3.5mm crochet hook to finish the piece.

Stitches and Abbreviations Used

The Alexandra Shawl employs a range of fundamental and intermediate knitting stitches and techniques:

• Knit (K) and Purl (P) stitches form the base of the construction
• Through the back loop (Tbl) stitches for textural variation
• Slip stitches (sl) worked knitwise and purlwise
• Slip, slip, knit decrease (ssk) for shaping
• Yarn overs (yo) to create lace openings
• Bead addition (B) integrated into knit stitches
• Stitch markers (pm/sm) to track pattern repeats and shaping points
• Yarn positioning techniques including yarn in front (wyif)

Materials and Tools

The Alexandra Shawl is designed to be worked with premium yarn and specialized tools. The pattern calls for 1 skein of SweetGeorgia CashSilk Lace in the Oceanside colorway, which provides 400 yards (365 meters) per 1.76 ounces (50 grams). This yarn is composed of 55% silk and 45% cashmere, offering both luxury and drape ideal for lace shawlwork.

Needles required include Size US 4 / 3.5mm circular needles measuring 32 inches (80 cm) long for the main body of the shawl. A Size E / 3.5mm crochet hook is used for the crochet edging. For the beadwork component, a 0.50 mm crochet hook is needed for the bead-addition process.

Additional notions include approximately 1,120 size 8/0 seed beads totaling 30 grams, stitch markers to track increases and pattern sections, and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends. The recommended gauge is 20 stitches and 30 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in the charted lace pattern after blocking, though exact gauge is noted as not essential—variations in gauge will affect the finished size and yardage requirements.

Skill Level

This pattern is rated as Intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle charted lace patterns, bead integration, and shaping techniques. The combination of lace reading, beadwork, and top-down construction with strategic increases requires solid understanding of knitting fundamentals but is accessible to experienced beginners advancing their skills.