Allegra

Allegra Shawl by Stefanie Bold

What is Being Made

Allegra is a half-circle shawl designed by Stefanie Bold. This crocheted shawl is worked in a lace-weight yarn and features a sophisticated construction with multiple bordering techniques. The sample shawl was created using 925 meters of yarn and achieves a wingspan of 110 cm (43 inches), though the pattern is adaptable to any size based on available yarn.

Techniques Used

This shawl employs several specialized crochet techniques to create its distinctive structure and appearance:

• Tunisian Simple Stitch – The primary construction method for the main body of the shawl, creating a fabric with depth and visual interest
• Sideways Border Application – A lightly patterned border is worked horizontally and attached to the main shawl as the work progresses, integrating seamlessly into the overall design
• Picot Edge with Beads – A decorative finishing edge created using regular crochet techniques, incorporating beads that weigh down the perimeter and prevent curling

Stitches Used

The pattern utilizes Tunisian simple stitch as the foundational stitch for the shawl body, combined with regular crochet stitches for the border and picot edge details. This combination of stitch types creates textural variety and structural stability.

Materials and Tools

Allegra is designed for laceweight yarn, which creates an elegant, delicate fabric suitable for shawls. The sample was made using 925 meters of a two-stranded color-changing cotton and acrylic blend (820 yards or 750 meters per 100 grams). A Tunisian hook with an attached cord in size H (5 mm) is used for the main shawl construction, with a size B/1 crochet hook for the border and finishing work. Hook sizes should be adjusted as needed to obtain proper gauge and achieve the desired fabric characteristics.

Design Features

One of the key advantages of Allegra's construction is that the multiple bordering features—including the weighted picot edge with beads—allow the shawl to look polished without blocking, even when made from non-woolen yarns. The edges will not curl thanks to the beaded picot finish, making this an excellent choice for synthetic or cotton-blend yarns that may not respond well to traditional blocking methods.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as beginner-friendly, making it accessible to crocheters new to Tunisian techniques. The pattern uses US crochet terminology and was last revised on 26.07.2013.