Over the years, I have given prayer shawls as a way to provide comfort to those who are suffering. (We have received them as well and they are indeed a comfort.) Here are basic instructions for knitting a prayer shawl.

Yarn: Use three skeins of Lion Brand® Homespun yarn  (It’s washable, and very forgiving of mistakes!)

Needles: Use size 13, 15, or 17.  These needles provide for a loose weave and make the project go fast.

To begin: Cast on 57 stitches. 

Pattern: Knit 3; purl 3 to the end of the row.  (Be sure to set aside enough yarn if you choose to make fringe for both sides—otherwise knit until yarn is gone.)

*Note: If you cast on 57 stitches you will always start with K3

Prayer for While You Knit       

By: Pamela Stiff
www.shawlministry.com

Dear Lord,
Take away all my negative thoughts and feelings as I work on this shawl of comfort for ___________. Guide my hands as they work and keep my thoughts positive and centered around her. I make the stitches with love and a prayer in my heart for her comfort, hope, and healing. May __________ feel Your loving arms around her as she wears this shawl and may it represent to her Your power to heal any hurt.

Comfort her, bless her, heal her. I ask this in Jesus name. Amen

Prayer to be Given with Prayer Shawl:

By: Janet Severi Bristow
www.shawlministry.com

May God’s grace be upon this shawl…
warming, comforting, enfolding and embracing.
May this mantle be a safe haven… a sacred place of security and well-being…
sustaining and embracing in good times as well as difficult ones.
May you be cradled in hope, kept in joy, graced with peace,
and wrapped in love.
Blessed Be!

Do you prefer to crochet? Here is a list of 30 free crochet prayer shawl patterns.

Updated 2024