Is anyone crocheting prayer/comfort shawls?

[000blueberry000]

I was inspired by this site-www.shawlministry.com/ (http://www.shawlministry.com/) to start a ministry at my church. (They can also be labeled comfort shawls and not used with religious affiliation.) While the focus seems to be on knitting there are some crochet patterns listed. None seem as tight in structure as the knit version. Is anyone else crocheting these? Does anyone have any patterns to share or tips on yarn used?

Thanks!

Lori B.

[mrsvickers]

:angel Hi Lori, Yes, I started a shawl ministry at my church about a year ago. We call it the Blessing Shawl Ministry and the blessings go both ways. I started out using Homespun yarn and the Very Easy Ripple Shawl pattern from the Lion Brand website. This pattern calls for Microspun, so if you use Homespun your starting chain should be 69. This makes a very beautiful and cozy shawl (I'm wearing mine as I write!). Otherwise, I just told my ladies to use whatever yarn they wanted and whatever pattern they wanted just as long as the finished shawl was about 20"x60". Then we had someone donate a large amount (and I mean a lot!) of cotton yarn to our group. Making a ripple shawl with the cotton made the shawl weigh too much, so we started making open, lacy shawls (like a celebrity style flower stitch). But, no matter what we make them out of, or what pattern we use, the people we give them to are always so grateful and so overwhelmed that someone would put so much time and effort into something for a stranger. I hope things go well for your group.

Danielle:hug2

[crochetingRev]

I make them for my fellowship which is online.addy in my profile..I also do a wedding prayer shawl http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v650/cs_crafts/wedding_prayer_shawl.bmp (http://<!--EZCODE)

[Red883]

Is anyone else crocheting these? Does anyone have any patterns to share or tips on yarn used?

I've just finished my 3rd one...and it's going to a nursing home through our KnitWit group. I love the feel of LB Homespun and that's what I've been using. Actually, anything soft would do...as long as it feels "comforting". :) I'm also going to try:
TLC Amore
RH Soft Baby in pastel colors

[NancyCA]

I am in the process of getting a prayer shawl/lapghan misistry going for the crocheters in our church. We have over 1500 members and I'm sure we could get some of these for the shut-ins and people in the homes as well.

[AmyS]

Lori, yes, I have just started a Prayer Shawl Ministry sponsored by the new women's group at my church. So far, I've made two shawls using the free Prayer Shawl pattern on the Lion Brand site: one with Lion Brand Homespun and one with---I think---Caron's version of a baby Homespun. Same texture, but the Caron had a variegated color I liked better. The Homespun one is waiting for a recipient, and the baby Caron one was given to a friend of mine who is expecting and has been quite sick lately with respiratory problems.

I have several people that I need to get the pattern to (printed from the pdf file on the Lion Brand site), and several others who are interested in learning to crochet or knit so they can participate. We're going to schedule a how-to class for sometime this month. I need to get with my best friend and work out a schedule since she'll help me.

I really need her help! I'm left-handed and crochet left-handed. She's left-handed, but crochets right-handed, so she can help all the right-handed people learn to crochet. I'm just learning how to knit myself, and I do that right-handed continental style, so that should work for everyone.

[Ambersafghans]

I hope it works out well for you! I've only taught my siblings, but I'm also right handed as are they. It's a great reason to learn crochet or knitting.
Amber

[000blueberry000]

Thanks for all of your responses!!

We have successfully started making shawls at our church. I like the triangular shawl pattern on the LionBrand site using Homespun for the younger members. It uses HDC so it incorporates the symbolism of 3's. I also used Bernat Soft Boucle and made a throw for our rev. I used HDC and it is very soft and looks so luxurious. We're having fun trying new yarns. We are trying to use the 3's as a guide and create rectangangular shawls or whatever would best suit the person. It's been fun!

Thanks!

Lori

[karen briggs]

I've started doing these on my own, using a triangle shawl pattern, N hook and homespun yarn. They're easy and relatively quick to make. Does anyone have a prayer they print out to give along with the shawl, or something explaining the meaning behind it? Thanks for any info. Karen in NYEarn At Home With Disciple's Cross (http://www.myaffiliateprogram.com/u/cross/t.asp?id=2181)

[mrsvickers]

:angel Hi Karen!
This is the note we include with all our shawls:
"May you receive comfort and love from God above through this shawl, handmade for you. Blessings, prayers, and love are worked into every stitch to create a 'warm embrace from God'."
Danielle

[karen briggs]

Danielle, Thank you for sharing that!! It's perfect! Karen
<img border=0 src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/thanks.gif" />

[rieglertammy]

I was wondering that if I started a prayer shawl ministry at my church if I could use the note you have listed and include it in the ones we make?

[mrsvickers]

:angel Absolutely! Our pastor has reported back to us that when he delivers the shawls to people they are at first confused, but then they read the note and wrap the shawl around themselves and nestle in to their "warm embrace from God". The note seems to simply and perfectly convey the purpose of the shawl.
Danielle

[nwbondlady]

Wow,

I have been reading about different prayer shawl ministries. I am so glad to find that some of you on this site are involved. I just made my first one for a friend who is going through chemo, and made a matching hat. I totally forgot to take a photo but may still be able to get one. I used Bernat soft boucle and it is wonderful. Really nubby and soft. I adapted a couple of the suggested prayers and writings on the prayer shawl site listed at the beginning of this thread, and included it with the shawl. It is such a great way to bless someone and the blessings definitely flow both ways. Thank you all for sharing what you are doing and I am going to ask at church to see if anyone wants to join me.
I bet there are a few. :ghug :hug I wonder if we all would want to start a prayer-shawl along.

Fran

[craftynana5]

I would really like to make a prayer shawl. I am thinking about bringing it up at my Church. I live in Mississippi in the heart of Katrina land and so many people here could use the comfort of the prayer shawls

[scc51055]

I have made two, one for my MIL and another for a friend who has breast cancer. :lol I used free patterns i found on line for both. They were made using a double thickness of yarn. I took them to church to be blessed and then sent them on. We also have a ministry at church, but i have not been able to meet with them since they do so during the day and i have to work:( It is a really good feeling to do this, there are prayers on line to be said while crocheting the shawls. http://www.waitingroomministry.com I used pattern #2.
http://www.shawlministry.com/prayer_page.html and i used the prayer for staring it from this site.

Have fun and good luck!

[blackpurl]

What a great idea! I wonder if I can find some women here to do this with? I think I will talk with my friends here and see what we can do!

[moonspinners]

I made my first shawl for my mom who has lung cancer. I used the Tunisian double stitch with Caron SS in a cream color. The shawl is rectangular as I do not care for the triangular shawls and measures approx. 23" x 82". My mom loves it and uses it a lot. I'm in the process of making two more shawls for co-workers who were recently diagnosed with cancer.

[itsgeetee]

I have made several of the triangular prayer shawls from the Lion Brand book using Lion Brand Homespun. I like this pattern because I'm still pretty new to crochet and I find the Homespun hard to use because I can't find the stitches! :P But with this pattern, since you are working into spaces, I just have to mark the beginning/ending stitch. It works up quick! :clap

I made my first prayer shawl in February for a co-worker's mother who had been diagnosed with advanced bone cancer. It was my first completed project! Since then I have made 7, and I am putting the edging on #8, which will go to my boss' daughter, who has been ill for over a year.

I don't belong to a church at the moment so this is my own little "ministry" and everyone is correct when they say it is not just a blessing for the recipient, but for the person making them as well. It has been a huge blessing for me. Sometimes when people are sick there isn't anything you can "do" - you can't make them well. But, the shawl brings them comfort in many different ways, and that makes the giver feel that they have been able to help.:manyheart

[terrybb]

I started a Prayer Shawl Ministry through our United Methodist Women's group last December. We taught 12 women to crochet - 6 have become regulars at our weekly drop-in workshops and progressed to more complicated patterns. We have given more than 125 shawls since December and just love doing it. You can view some of them at the shawlministry group website http://groups.yahoo.com/group/shawlministry/ Ours is under photos for Lakeside UMC. We have used every pattern we can find because we make so many we like variety. If we know who the shawl is for when we're making it we know what pattern and yarn to use. We have finally built up a small supply to keep on hand for emergencies. We photograph the finished shawls for our memory book - the pic, a small piece of the yarn, and name of recipient, maker, and general reason go in the book monthly. We love looking back at the gorgeous works. We pray over the finished shawl on Workshop day then they either go to the recipient or, if there's time, go on the altar Sunday so the congregation can add prayers (this is very effective in getting approval and participation from the congregation - along with giving shawls to members in need). Sometimes we wrap them in tissue paper, sometimes not, and sometimes we mail them. Mostly we deliver in person. We have a small fund from donations and use it to cover mailing, printer ink, paper, etc. We've had yarn donated but mostly buy it ourselves because we love doing it. We designed a giving card that I would be glad to email anyone who wants - just PM me.
This ministry is so fulfilling, rewarding, fun, and has brought us so close to each other and to God. It's definitely worth doing. And, having received a Prayer Shawl before recent surgery, being on the receiving end is deeply moving.

[darski]

I have made prayer shawls for others but since I am the only dedicated knit/crocheter at my (little) church, I could not get a group going. I just use any pattern that strikes my fancy - my latest is a very pretty half-granny triangle shawl.

My first was a really neat knitted 'diamond' pattern that grew wider as you knit it - way kewl.

I will keep making them and trust God to find the people who need them when they are ready.

[bettflow]

Hi Karen,
This is kind of off the subject of crochet, lol. But I see that you are a Disciples Cross affiliate. Please email me at bettflow AT yahoo DOT com or send me a private message. I would love to talk to you about this opportunity.
Thanks a bunch,
Betty

[ksknits]

Hi Lori!
I was also inspired, and started a prayer shawl ministry at my church. We just started in July of this year. It's a small church, and we only have 6 people contributing so far, but it's been a wonderful experience. We meet twice a month at someone's home, to make it more comfortable, instead of at our church. When we first started, I copied a bunch of free knit and crochet patterns that I found on the internet, and have them all in a binder for anyone to go through and use. I personally believe that a prayer shawl does not need to be in any specific pattern. Any shawl that is crocheted with prayers and/or good wishes is a prayer shawl. I've used regular worsted weight and homespun for my shawls. My general rules of thumb, if the pattern is detailed, use a smooth yarn. If the pattern is very simple, use a textured yarn (like homespun). I have also found that Bernat Boucle makes a stunning shawl, and I believe it has more yardage than homespun.

It's not always easy, but it's worth it to do this type of ministry. Let us know how it goes for you.

Kathy

[knitcrochetandpray]

I attempted to start a Shawl Ministrey at my former church, but found no one commited enough to participate (an ongoing issue in all aspects of that church which is part of the reason we left, but I digress). I am in the process of starting one at our new church. Because I have not been affiliation with a specific "group" I have simpley made shawls on my own to give to individuals or to donate to other organizations. "Knitting Into the Mystery" is a decent book regarding this endeavor, and though it is specifically addressed to knitters, it is applicable to any shawl construction; it has some lovely prayers for doing the work, as well as for giving to a recipient.

When I first started making prayer shawls, I knit them with the basic k3,p3 pattern representative of the trinity, using Homespun. I love the Homespun, and continue to use it for most all off the shawls I make (crochet as well as knit) but I have ventured out regarding patterns. I think you can use any shawl pattern you want, especially if you have a specific individual in mind, then you can choose colors and styles that matches that persons personality. For men I make a "Prayer blanket", as I think it is preceived as more masculine than a shawl. I just make a crochet or knit a rectangle with a boarder, no fringe.

I journal my shawl/blanket making pretty much as described by terrybb. I am always moved when I receive a picture of the recipient with their shawl. It is a nice way to remember those you have touched, and more importantly have touched you through their trial. We can really be blessed by others when we work to bless them, and we can grow in our own faith walk, as we witness the strong faith of those who are going through tribulation. Another thing that I do is have others who are close to me or close to the recipient (family members, friends, church members, co-workers, etc.), "bless" the shawl. I simply have them hold the shawl and pray for the needs of the intended individual. I have even sent shawl swatches to members of the family who live far away. I make up a swatch out of the same yarn I have used for the shawl, it is mailed to those out of the immediate vicinity of the recipient; they pray for the individual while holding the swatch, then pass (mail) the swatch to another individual. Eventually the recipient gets the swatch to keep, knowing all of the prayers that were prayed into it on their behalf.

I have a shawl on needles, and another I am hooking that I need to finish. There is no specific recepient for either, but I know the Lord will direct me to someone who can benefit from receiving them, as He has done with all the shawls I have made.

[yarnart]

I use 100% cotton and they turn out great. Soft, warm, almost like a cotton "hug." I tried making a couple with acrylic yarn and I just didn't like them....probably just a preference because I use acrylic for so many other patterns and projects.
I am a real fan of Peaches n cream and Sugar and cream. I just think they end up so well and warm.

[Everyday Crochet]

I just started one with Homespun from the lion brand site.

[moomooo]

Hi Ladies:
As many of you know I am a member of Soldiers Angels.org and well a member there wanted to sort of try making prayer shawls for the chaplains.

My question is to you all expericenced in this , what pattern would be good for a male... What would you ladies do for a man. As I think that a shawl would be not be to well received by a man..

Any ideas? Can you tell me what size and width can be used.. in crochet ..

And what colors would you ladies do prayer shawls for men especially chaplains of soldiers...

Help please this is something I;d like to do.. And let others know at Soldiers Angels..

[craftn56]

I'm knitting shoulderettes in place of prayer shawls.. This way they won't fall off and if they do because of the cuffs they won't hit the ground.....

Blessings,
craftn

[scc51055]

there is a lapghan pattern in the prayer shawl ministry book by lion brand i made that one....it is pretty easy...

[heart]

I'm curious about how to edge them...Those of you who are making them already, what has been your preference, with the pockets on the ends or left straight, b/c I've seen some with the ends turned up and sewed so that there are large pockets along either side for your hands. What do they prefer? I'd like to know so when I make one I can make it right. Thanks.

[DeanJ]

I also make prayer shawls but was interested in your triangle pattern, will you share it?

[vonnie]

I make prayer shawls and give them to the hospital chemo center, I also make them and give to the teen crisis center. I don't belong to a church group. This is something I can do on the road and still give back to my community...

[K.a.t.h.y]

We have a prayer shawl group at our church, Bethlehem Lutheran in Ohio. Our shawls are knit, crocheted and cro-hooked. We just went to a prayer shawl get together at another local church where about 40 ladies from various congregations came to give ideas. It was a wonderful sharing experience and something I would recommend.

One of the ideas was that prayer shawls don't always have to be knit or crocheted. They can also be sewn, patchworked, quilted and even made using knots with fleece material (no sewing at all). The average size can range from 18-30" wide to 50-75" long. Different sizes are good for different sized people...men, women, children, infants, couples.

Back to my cro-hooking: I have made several with cro-hooking (if you want the pattern email me, the instructions are mine, I typed them up with photos I took). Cro-hooking is done with a long two sided crochet hook of sorts. Mine was actually made by my grandfather but they are available on the market. Cro-hooking makes a very soft shawl that is two-sided (two colors are used).

One easy way to get a pattern is to do a scraf and make it wider and maybe longer, to the specification above.

We have been having some problems at my church with people thinking they HAVE to come to a meeting to participate. WRONG!!! Make sure your parishioners know they do not have to attend a meeting. Give them the dimensions of the shawls, tell them how or where to get patterns and list the options of making them (above). Then make sure you tell them where they can drop off finished shawls.

Moomoo: As far as males go, our men love receiving prayer shawls!! We try to give them more masculine colors like blues, beiges, browns. We have even asked for sport team colors to give to our men (or women), or local school colors, or college colors...the possibilities are endless. And I am going to definitely check out your Soldier Angels web site...thank you.

We recently had two people buried with their prayer shawls on them. That really touched our group!

Our group also makes premee caps for local hospitals and chemo caps (with the fun fur, which cancer patients love because they are soft and feel like hair).

Craftn56, do you have a pattern for your shoulder-shawl? Or can you give us a link to were to get a pattern? They sound really neat.

Heart: I have never heard/seen anyone do the prayer shawls with "pockets" on the ends. What a great idea! I don't think there is a right/wrong way to make them. Whom ever receives them will be grateful you thought of them.

Blessings,

Kathy