Hooked with Love, Paying It Forward (crochet prayer shawl)

A crochet prayer shawl is a great service project and way to give back, or pay it forward.

In thinking about the prayer shawls I’ve made it gets me thinking about really “seeing” people.

When was the last time you really looked someone in the eye? Maybe a person you don’t know very well, or even at all.  As you’re passing through the hallway, really looked them in the eye and smiled?  Not in an awkward way, just really “saw” someone.

Today’s post helps me to help someone who is feeling alone. Maybe forgotten. Maybe they have even forgotten who they are. Maybe they have a form of dementia or Alzheimer’s. Maybe their mind is outliving their physical body. 

You and I have freedom. We have options. We usually have family beside us in our homes. We have second families at work. We have friends who have become family.  But what happens when you outlive your family, your work family, most of your friends?  Or you lose touch with them? Alone.

Today we’re going to talk about a crochet prayer shawl and how it can give warmth and love to a lonely person.

What is a Prayer Shawl?

What exactly is a prayer shawl?  Well, it’s a rectangular shaped part-blanket, part-scarf that can be wrapped around a person for a bit of warmth.  When the maker creates it, he or she says a prayer sending good wishes to the recipient.  The recipient can wrap it around them like a shawl, or they can use it as a lap blanket. And they are enveloped by all those good wishes…..pretty cool, huh?

Design

Prayer shawls come in a variety of stitches, yarns, and designs.  I usually work a prayer shawl until I’ve reached a particular length, or I run out of yarn, sometimes whichever comes first.   Usually no longer than 5 feet. The width of my shawls are usually the width of the oversized chair I sit in….real accurate, right?  But that’s the beauty of them, they can be just about any size. 

The width of my chair, from arm to arm, is about 30 inches.  So that means I will crochet enough chains on my initial row to reach this width.  Sometimes I will go a little more or a little less depending on the stitch I plan to use. For example, when I do an alternating single crochet and double crochet stitch, I usually go a little shorter because this stitch tends to have more stretch to it.

Yarn

I use all types of yarns (not usually in the same shawl though, but that could be fun to try). I’ve used Lion Brand’s HomeSpun which creates a beautifully soft and slightly weighted shawl. 

I’ve also used Caron’s Simply Soft, which also has a softness and wonderful drape, but not nearly as much bulk.  And I’ve used plenty of yarns in between from Red Heart, I Love This Yarn, Bernat, and more.

 I usually stick with 4-weight or 5-weight yarns. Sometimes I’ll use two 4-weight skeins at the same time.  So maybe I’ll pull a white yarn simultaneous to a red yarn to create a bulkier texture. And as I add yarn, I also increase hook size. 

Even using a series of leftover yarns from other projects can turn into a beautiful prayer shawl.

Prayer Shawl Stitches

Depending on the yarn I use, I may keep the stitches pretty simple, just using all double crochets, or all single crochets. 

Sometimes I’ll do a few rows of double crochets, and then throw in a row of single crochet.  Other times, and probably one of my favorite stitches, is alternating a double crochet stitch with a single crochet stitch.  It gives it a bit of a shell stitch look and has a very nice appearance.

And I as I create, I think about the recipient.  What was their life like? What are they most hopeful for? How do they look back on their life? I say a prayer of good fortune for the recipient, whether it be good fortune for health, wealth, or just having a good day in the middle of some not so good ones.

Final Thoughts on Crochet Prayer Shawls

So, do you have some leftover yarn you want to use up?  Or are you looking for a service project? Are you feeling down about your life and maybe need to focus on helping someone else?  Do you know someone in your life that would loooooove to be wrapped up in some of your warm, crocheted goodness?  Go pull out a skein of goodness and crochet your prayer and good energy into a shawl.  And then donate it to a nearby shelter or nursing home knowing that it will make it to its intended recipient.  Let’s all do our part.  Let’s hook with love and pay it forward.

I’d love to hear about your prayer shawl! Drop me a comment!

Hooked with Love, Paying It Forward (crochet prayer shawls)