SOMETHING
OLD - SOMETHING NEW
Prayer Shawls Ministry
 Knitting
is not a new thing, many people have done it for years! Now-a-days knitting
is coming back strong, even children and youth are learning how to knit.
Here at W.P.C. everybody is getting excited about this ministry.
This idea of a Knitting Ministry started in Susan Izard’s church in
West Hartford, Conn. a few years ago. She came to realize that knitting
yarn into shawls and weaving prayers into shawls, she helped create a vessel
for God’s mysterious presence in other people’s lives as well
as her own.
I heard about this ministry at the Association retreat in Gloucester, back
in February. I saw Rev. Sylvia Robinson knitting through the meeting and
I asked her about her work. She invited me to learn and share this ministry
with you.
I started sharing the idea with a few parishioners, I also shared it with
the Women’s Evening Circle and with the whole church in worship. Word
of mouth is making many of us interested in participating. Some have already
started making shawls to be blessed and to be given away.
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Knitting Directions
Supplies:
3 skeins of Lion Brand Homespun yarn -each skein is 6 ozs. (available
at Wal-Mart, JoAnn Fabrics, Michael’s Crafl Stores) Size 11 or 13
needles, round or straight. Some knitters prefer size 15 needles,
(The idea is to get a loose comfortable weave.)
Pattern:
Cast on 54, 57, 60, or 63 stitches, or some multipie of 3. (Donna
Ellsworth suggested 57.)
Knit 3, purl 3 to the end of the row.
Turn and knit the purl, and purl the knit. (if you have used 57 or
63 stitches you begin each row with knit.) A weave pattern develops.
Knit 2 skeins in pattern.
Measure & reserve yarn for fringe.
Knit remaining yarn in pattern.
Bind off.
Fringe:
The fringe can be as short as 3 inches and as long as 8 or 9 inches. There is 1 piece of fringe
for each stitch cast on.
Cut a sturdy piece of cardboard to the fringe
width you want.
Wind the yarn around the cardboard.
Cut along one
edge. Use sharp scissors.
Use a crochet hook to attach the fringe
to the shawl.
Prayers:
Weave prayers into your shawl as you knit, and at the beginning and
end of the project.
THERE IS NO RIGHT OR WRONG WAY TO KNIT OR CREATE THESE MANTLES OF
LOVE AND CARE. |
