Knitting 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.

This idea of a Knitting Ministry started in Susan Izard’s church in West Hartford, Connecticut. 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.

The WPC Knitting Ministry donates it Prayer Shawls to Merrimack Valley Hospice and members and friends of the church.

For more information on the Knitting Ministry please contact Donna Ellsworth, 978 475-3009.

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.