Prayer Shawl Ministry

[snowbear]

When I first started knitting.. I knit.. scarves. easy.. cast on 15. keep going.. no big deal.

pearl.. knit.. just practice.

Bought bunches of homespun was going to make a shawl. Easy. cast on 3.. keep increasing.. no big deal right?

Well, I know the devil can cause problems.. and he visited me every time I tried to knit that thing.

So.. I made bunches of scarves.

Lesson I learned.. when the devil is being a pain. ... don't run w/ the ball.. punt!

[KnitKath]

Shandeh:
I love your Burgundy Prayer Shawl. Can you send me the link to the pattern? I went to KnittingGeek.com and I found several basic patterns....Simplest Shawl In Garter Stitch and Simplest Shawl In Stockinette Stitch but, the person who posted these doesn't remember the needle size. Could you tell me what needle size and how much yarn you used for your shawl? Also, what yarn?
Thanks so much,
KnitKath

[redheadrachel]

I've researched, but I can't find it out and you all must know. What exactly is a prayer shawl for? Is it for a head covering, or what?

[2x4]

I agree about the Homespun and will not buy it.

Your shawl looks great! My church knit and crochet ministry made shawls for some of the senior women in the church and it turned out to be the most rewarding experience when we finally finished and handed them the shawls!

[Renoah]

redheadrachel: A prayer shawl is usually made for someone who's going through a rough time. Generally the maker of the shawl prays for the recipient while making it and/or when the object is finished. It's sort of a tangible way for the recipient to feel wrapped in other people's prayers.

[jerusalemlover]

I do not have a prayer shawl ministry at my church, but I have made two now. I'm planning to make 5 more. I had trouble with the Homespun on the first one, but I was either used to it or got a better batch or something with the second and it was better. I love the colors and how soft it is, and it's fairly inexpensive and readily available. The only problem is that it seems harder on my arms and hands to work with than the thinner yarn I'm used to! I am making them for the ladies on my Christmas list. I am toying with the idea of getting a ministry going, but I don't know how many would be interested in it.

[Shandeh]

Shandeh:
I love your Burgundy Prayer Shawl. Can you send me the link to the pattern? I went to KnittingGeek.com and I found several basic patterns....Simplest Shawl In Garter Stitch and Simplest Shawl In Stockinette Stitch but, the person who posted these doesn't remember the needle size. Could you tell me what needle size and how much yarn you used for your shawl? Also, what yarn?

I'm so sorry it took me so long to get back to you, KnitKath. I just now saw your message!

I used Lion Brand Homespun yarn in the color "Antique".
I used a US size 13 needle, and the following pattern. I can't remember where I learned this pattern. Somewhere online. Anyway, here it is:

Cast on 3 stitches.

Knit 1, Knit Front & Back to increase one stitch, Knit the remaining stitches.

Repeat row until shawl is as large as you want.

Bind off all stitches VERY LOOSELY.
Add fringe if desired.

Good luck with your shawl!

[Sandy321]

I know this is an old thread...

but I just recently started to make the prayer shawl... glad to read all the comments about homespun, I agree - what I found to help is to knit with the eyelash yarn + the Homespun for the scarf...

Now its my turn to make a prayer shawl - I have started it too many times to count...

I have the pattern of k3 P3
but I sure dont understand it at all - its a cast on of 57 I believe, but then doesnt that turn out a blanket?

I like the last post with their pattern...

I hate being this confused!!

[Shandeh]

Hi Sandy! Welcome to the KH Forum!

I hate that pattern too. It just seems so frustrating, because you tend to forget which stitch you should be doing from row to row. You want to avoid doing ribbing, so just knit the purls, and purl the knits. Hopefully, that makes sense to you.

The stitch pattern is a multiple of 6 + 3, so you could decrease the amount of stitches if you don't want it as wide as they recommend.

You could cast on 39 stitches for a narrow shawl, or 45 stitches, or 51 stitches.

Good luck!

Good to hear so many hate homespun. I tried making something with that about a year ago, and despised it. I thought it was ME, but, from ya'll's posts, I see it wasn't .
That's the most agggravating yarn I've worked with so far.
Any other yarns to avoid?
I was looking at your patterns, and
that preemie pair of booties was unbelievable! The Christmas hat was sooo cute!