Las Ventanas Wrap

Las Ventanas Wrap by Beth Graham

What Is Being Made

The Las Ventanas Wrap is an infinity shawl designed by Beth Graham that showcases the elegant openwork characteristic of filet crochet. This versatile piece measures 20 inches high by approximately 44 inches around, making it a generous accessory suitable for multiple styling options. Beyond its primary function as an infinity shawl, the Las Ventanas Wrap can be styled as a hood, scarf, or cowl, offering the crocheter flexibility in how they wear and display their finished project.

Crochet Techniques and Construction

The Las Ventanas Wrap is constructed using filet crochet, a technique that creates an open, lacy fabric through the strategic placement of chains and double crochets to form a mesh-like pattern. Filet crochet is ideal for creating garments with visual interest and breathability, as the open "windows" in the design allow light to pass through the fabric while maintaining structural integrity.

The pattern begins with a foundation single crochet (fsc) base, which provides a more elastic and stable foundation edge compared to traditional chain foundations. This technique involves creating a slip knot, chaining two stitches, and then working single crochet stitches into the chain while simultaneously building new chain loops. The foundation single crochet method is particularly useful for projects like this wrap, where the edge needs to be flexible enough to accommodate the shaping and draping required for an infinity shawl.

Stitches Used

The Las Ventanas Wrap employs fundamental crochet stitches that, when combined in the filet pattern, create the distinctive open design:

• Chain (ch): The foundational stitch used to create the base and build the structure of the filet mesh
• Double crochet (dc): The primary stitch used to build height and create the solid portions of the filet pattern
• Single crochet (sc): Used in the foundation single crochet technique to establish the starting edge
• Slip stitch (sl st): Used to join rounds or transition between sections
• Yarn over (yo): A fundamental action used throughout all crochet stitches to create loops and tension

Materials and Tools

The Las Ventanas Wrap is designed to be worked in lace-weight yarn, specifically using one skein of Freia Fine Handpaints Ombre Lace in the Atlantis colorway. This yarn composition consists of 75% wool and 25% nylon, providing both warmth and durability. Each skein contains 75 grams (2.64 ounces) of yarn with 590 meters (645 yards) of yardage, offering ample length for the finished shawl dimensions.

The pattern calls for a 4.0 mm crochet hook, which is appropriately sized for lace-weight yarn and will produce the specified gauge of 22 double crochets over 4 inches when worked unblocked. Additionally, a removable stitch marker is recommended to help track the chain stitch edge during construction, ensuring consistent tension and pattern accuracy throughout the project.

Difficulty Level and Suitability

Classified as an intermediate project, the Las Ventanas Wrap is described as having a simplicity that makes it perfect for the adventurous beginner. This positioning suggests that while the pattern uses fundamental crochet techniques, the filet construction and shaping may present a gentle learning curve for those ready to move beyond basic projects. The straightforward nature of the pattern, combined with the meditative quality of working filet crochet, makes this wrap an excellent choice for crocheters seeking to develop their skills in a structured, achievable project.