Knitted Prayer Shawl
The following instructions are courtesy of
The Shawl Ministry
Founded By: Janet Bristow and Victoria A. Cole-Galo
www.shawlministry.com


Supplies
  • 3 skeins of Lion Brand Homespun Yarn. (In the United States, this is available at Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Ames and other discount stores.)
  • Size 11 or 13 needles. Some knitters prefer the round needle and some like size 15, although they are hard to hold. The idea is to get a loose, comfortable weave.

    Pattern
  • Cast of 54, 57, 60 or 63 stitches, or some multiple of three.
  • Knit three, purl three to the end of the row.
  • Turn and knit the purl and purl the knit (if you have 57 or 63 stitches you'll begin every row with knit).
  • A weave pattern will develop. Knit about 2 and 2/3 skeins in pattern.
  • Use the rest of the yarn for fringe. The fringe can be as short as 3 inches and as long as 8 or 9 inches. It is up to you.

    Prayers
    We suggest you weave prayers into your shawl as you knit, at the beginning or the end of the project. Many gather for a collective blessing of the shawl before it is given away. There is no right or wrong way to knit or create these mantles of love and care. Enjoy!

    Prayer for Healing

     In the beginning, Creating God, you formed my being.  You knit me together in my mother's womb.  To my flesh and blood you gave the breath of life.  O Loving One, renew me this day in your love.  Grant me life as gift of your faithfulness; grant me light to journey by; grant me hope to sustain me.  May this mantle be for me a sign of your healing presence.  May it warm me when I am weary; may it surround me with ease of my suffering; may it encircle me with caring when I am in pain.

    O Christ who healed the broken in body and spirit, be with me and all that suffer this day.  Be with the doctors, nurses, technicians, chaplains and all that care for the sick.  Be with the families and friends of those abiding with and comfortin the sick.  May your gentle yet strong touch reach out to heal all the broken and hurting people and places in our world.

    Prayer for a Mantle of Healing

     I call nine blessings from above in the name of God: the Creator, the Giver of Life, the Holder of time; the name of Jesus: the Savior, the Healer, and the Lifter of Pain; in the name of the Spirit: The Comforter, the Consoler, and the Sustainer of Life.  I knit/wear a mantle of caring.  I knit/wear a mantle of protection.  I knit/wear a mantle of wholeness.  I knit/wear a mantle of strength.  I knit/wear a mantle of healing.  I knit/wear a mantle of patience.  I knit/wear a mantle to enfold you/me.  I knit/wear a mantle to encircle you/me.  I knit/wear a mantle to empower you/me.  

    --Prayers by Cathleen Murtha, DW