Prayer Shawls

Knitting Helps Everybody

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Prayer Shawls
Everyone knows...any mother worth her salt never, ever, ever, forever has any downtime!  Rumor or reality, it doesn’t really matter cause many of us feel there’s always something to do and we just cannot stop.  As my kids got older, I realized sitting down felt good.  But I just couldn’t sit to sit, I had to do something.

Well my own lovely mother had started a mission at both her churches knitting prayer shawls.  She formed a group of knitters, they meet once a month and knit together and knit at home.  The prayer shawls they make are a beautiful reflection of their love, diligence, generosity and of course their active prayer life.  As they knit the shawls they pray for the recipient.  Sometimes they know the person, sometimes they don’t.  The completed shawls are collected at the church and given to people in need.  These people may have illness or injury or sadness or even gladness.  The important point is that the recipient feels the love, the comfort, and the grace of God as they wrap themselves in the shawl.

There is a website www.shawlministry.com that explains in great detail what this is all about.Knit Prayer

Well I was entranced and hooked by this idea and I found that I do have some downtime when I sit to watch sports or my favorite TV shows.  I have it when I take a cheer bus trip with my kids, or waiting for them to perform at a cheer competition, or watching my sons play soccer.  It definitely cuts my stress level.  And what I found when I started knitting these shawls was that the more I knit, the more people came into my life who needed them.  I could hardly keep up with the demand.  I also knit them for teachers and friends getting married.  I took about 10 to a women’s church group and 10 people had a friend or family in need to give it to.  It’s been an amazing journey for me personally.

If you are in need, or know someone in need of comfort and warmth and prayer around their shoulders send an email to Mom Time TV.  Let me know a little about your circumstances, whether there’s a favorite color for you and where to send it to.

If you would like to knit prayer shawls, my favorite pattern is to the right.  Maybe you would like to set up a group of knitters in your church, hospital or community.  There are some tips for getting organized.

Thanks for reading my story.  And I hope it adds joy to your life!
 

Favorite Prayer Shawl Pattern

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Use Lion Brand’s Homespun yarn (3 skeins) and a size 13 needle.  Cast on 57 stitches.

Knit the first 3 rows.

Beginning on row 4, knit 3, purl 3, end with knit 3.  Continue in pattern until almost all yarn is gone.

Knit last 3 rows.

If you want to add fringes, take or save enough yarn to do so.

(This is my very favorite pattern, it’s easy and looks beautiful and because there’s so many wonderful colors, I don’t get bored!)
 

Tips for Getting Organized

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Organizaing Shawl TipsIf you’re a knitter, chances are you already have friends who are also knitters.  See if they are interested in working together with you.  They may have friends who would also like to join you.

If you’re connected to a local Church group, hospital, hospice, shelter or other charity, ask if your shawls would be helpful to their effort.  Find out how many shawls they may anticipate needing and if your group can accommodate that need.  Will they distribute the shawls for you?  Do they have a base group of members who may also be interested in knitting prayer shawls?

Remember to keep the integrity of the prayer shawls, they must be freely given from the heart and not for sale.

Think about fund raising issues.  Where will the money come from?  Can the organization you’re working with help with donations?

Decide how the yarn will be purchased, where it will be stored, how the shawls will be packaged and distributed, and whether a written prayer or note will be sent with it.  It’s a good idea to keep records of yarn purchased, who’s taken it, finished shawls, colors and even who the shawl was given to.  Your method of doing this will become clearer as you progress.

Since this process involves prayer, a group prayer or blessing for each shawl is encouraged.  Include small prayers and blessings throughout the knitting for the shawl’s recipient.

As your group gets started, set up regular knitting dates when you can knit together.  Set up a location (homes, library, community or senior center, or somewhere at the organization you are working with), compare notes and ask questions and find out what works best for your group.  Knitters can also work from home in between group get togethers.

You will find that your friendships within the group will grow closer as you work together on this positive project.  The blessings between knitter and recipient, your faith community and your circle will grow and change your life in so many wonderful ways.
 


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