Crocheted Prayer shawl patterns

Looking for a free prayer shawl pattern?  New to crochet?  One place I found, online, is www.redheart.com.  When you arrive at their website, they have a "learn" button, where you can find out all about the basics of crochet.  Check out the "Free Patterns" section, and you'll find several free patterns for easy crocheted shawls (the Musical Shells Shawl Crochet Pattern only uses Chain, Single Crochet, and Double Crochet stitches).

Or, if you want something even easier, I'm currently working on a shawl for which you chain (c) 52, turn with 2 chains, then half double crochet (hdc) in each chain (all 52), turn with 2 chains, repeat hdc in each stitch ...until you come to the wrap-around length you desire.  Yes, it is quite plain and simple, but sometimes, that's all that's needed.  I'm using a 10mm (US N-hook) and Lion Brand Homespun (which I love because it is ripply and soooo soft).  The shawl will fall from the neck down the back about 20 inches with this particular yarn/hook combination, and while I've yet to finish, I think it may take 3 skeins, perhaps a bit more, if I add fringe and depending upon how much of a "hug" I want this shawl to provide!

Please feel free to share your favorite patterns, yarns, websites, books, as we create these prayer shawls for our ingathering worship at Annual Conference this June.

A Prayer Shawl~Like a Hug that Keeps on Hugging

Sometimes, when life is challenging, what we need, more than anything else, is a quiet hug.  To know that someone cares about us.  A prayer shawl not only wraps the receiver in a soft, warm hug of knitted or crocheted or blanketed comfort, but it is also content to just lie at the foot of a bed, or draped over a chair, waiting for whatever need arises.

My dad received two prayer shawls when he was in hospital with lung cancer.  One from a family member and one from a church friend.  Both deeply appreciated, then, and even now.  Many of us have stories of gifts of prayer shawls that helped immeasurably at a critical time of need.

If you'd like to try your hand at crocheting a prayer shawl, to be contributed to our mission ingathering at our Annual Conference this June, or if you know of folks who like to make prayer shawls, and perhaps they are looking for a place to donate...please spread the word!  June 15, Gordon College, Wenham, MA, at our worship service, 11AM, we will bless these gifts and then distribute them where they are most needed.

Clean and new

As we begin sewing, knitting, crocheting, tying, or buying for the ingathering of blankets, quilts and shawls, please keep in mind that the materials and/or items need to be clean and new.  The recipients of these items may be infants in hospitals, or elderly in nursing or assisted living homes.  We do not wish to have our gifts inadvertently cause any health problems (allergies to dust or pet dander, or transfer of lice or bed bugs).

Ingathering of blankets, quilts and shawls

You are invited to bring small blankets, lap quilts, and prayer shawls to our United Methodist New England Annual Conference meeting June 12-15, at Gordon College, in Wenham, Massachusetts.  We will gather up these donations at our worship service on Saturday, June 15th, blessing them and sending them out to warm those in need both here in the United States as well as reaching out globally.

If you like to sew, knit, crochet, or cut-and-tie fleece, talk to your friends, church mission groups, youth groups, men's and women's groups,  and let everyone know that they can participate in this heart-warming mission (donations of purchased blankets, quilts and shawls also welcome)!

Looking for a pattern?  Never tried crochet before, but want to now?  Let's use this blog to share favorite quilt patterns, a crochet stitch we love, and other creative ideas and experiences, as we prepare to minister through the warmth of a blanket, quilt or shawl.