Finished Prayer Shawl

Here is a photo of one of our member's finished shawl. This was knit with Lion Brand Homespun yarn, a wonderful yarn for a beautiful shawl. The ends of the fringe had to be tied in knots, otherwise, it frayed. Other than that, it's a wonderful yarn to work with.

Share a Square ~ Afghans for Kids with Cancer

Do you have a big heart for children in need? I recently came across a blog called This Eclectic Life, and the owner, Shelly Tucker, is collecting crocheted granny squares to make blankets for children with cancer. Here is an exerpt from her blog:

"I have an idea, and I need some people with big hearts to help me make it happen. I’m hoping that it’s you, whether you are a blogger or not. Last week, I was reading Phara’s blog, your mirror or mine. She posted a picture of a lovely quilt that was given to her son at cancer camp made by the hands of a volunteer. Over the years that he has gone to camps, he’s been given several quilts that comfort him in difficult times. I loved the idea of giving a quilt for such a charity, but I don’t quilt. “Hey,” I thought. “I could crochet a granny afghan with all those bits of fancy yarns I have stuck in a drawer.” Then, I got a package from a friend with knitted tea towels. As I smoothed out the lovely knitted squares, a lightbulb went on in my brain. How cool would it be to give a sick child an afghan made by many different hands; ALL of them hands that cared about that child? Can you imagine the feeling of being loved that the child would have? Can you imagine the joy of giving that to a child? You don’t have to imagine. WE CAN.

I’ve contacted a cancer camp for kids that is in Fort Worth, Texas; it’s called Camp Sanguinity. Though they have already had the summer camp for this year, we can shoot for next summer. By then, perhaps we can have afghans made for all of the children at the camp (140 kids in 2003, but I don’t know how many now. I’m waiting on a call-back). It takes more than one of us to make this happen. Will you help?" Here's an update as of Sept. 5:

6720 SQUARES NEEDED! 3661 Squares down 3059 Squares TO GO!

"So, you are asking, “What in the world is Share A Square?” We are working together to create 140 crocheted “granny” afghans for the children at Camp Sanguinity Cancer Camp (Texas) in July 2008. Each afghan is made of 48 crocheted or knitted squares; each square is from a different person. When a child receives an afghan, they will know that 48 different people care."

Here is the blog address so you can read for yourself the details of Shelly's ministry.

http://thiseclecticlife.com/2007/06/14/searching-for-people-with-big-hearts/

Even if you don't crochet, would you please pass this email on to everyone you know, so they can pass it on and so forth. It's a worthwhile ministry, and the more who help, the sooner the children get their blankets.

Thanks for reading this, for caring, and for sharing.

Hooded Baby Wrap ~ Free Pattern from Lion Brand Yarn

http://www.lionbrand.com/ has hundreds of free patterns. This little baby wrap is only one of many that would be welcomed at many children's charities. Here is the pattern, which you can find in full at http://cache.lionbrand.com/patterns/70090A.html?noImages.

Hooded Baby Wrap

GAUGE: 12 stitches = 4 in. (10 cm) in Garter stitch (knit every row). BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR GAUGE. When you match the gauge in a pattern, your project will be the size specified in the pattern and the materials specified in the pattern will be sufficient. If it takes you less stitches and rows to make a 4 in. [10 cm] square, try using a smaller size hook or needles; if more stitches and rows, try a larger size hook or needles.

BLANKET Blanket is knit diagonally. Beginning at one corner, stitches are increased, then decreased to make opposite corner. Wrapping the yarn over the needle creates a decorative edge on the Blanket.

Cast on 3 stitches.Row 1: Knit 2, yarn over needle (wrap yarn counter-clockwise around needle, making a loop on right hand needle), knit to end of row.Repeat Row 1 until piece measures 20 in. (51 cm) along one side.Next Row: Knit 2, yarn over needle, knit next 2 stitches together twice, knit to end of row.Repeat last row until 3 stitches remain.Bind off.

HOOD Cast on 3 stitches and work same as Wrap until straight edge of Hood measures about 10 in. (25.5 cm). Knit 2 more rows, then bind off.

FINISHING Sew Hood to one corner of Blanket. Weave in ends.

Reprinted from the Lion Brand website.

Prayer Cloth Ministry / Pocket Prayer Cloths

I came across this very interesting website today. The title of the site is Prayerfully Yours/Sending Troops Prayers ~ Prayer Cloth and Shawl Ministries: "Prayers you hold onto", http://www.prayerclothministry.com/. I had never heard of prayer cloths or pocket prayer cloths. Here is the history of this particular ministry:

"Prayer cloths originated as an old practice of spreading prayers that can be found throughout Christian history and in the Bible. Traditionally, prayer cloths were taken from the clothing of the saints and apostles, even Jesus Christ Himself. These prayer cloths or "handkerchiefs" were believed to have the power of Jesus flowing through them. In other scriptural beliefs, Jesus healed a multitude of sick and diseased people by simply allowing them to touch a piece of his clothes. One well-known Biblical story in Luke 8:40-48 tells of a sick lady who approaches Jesus, thinking "But if I touch the hem of His garment I shall be cured." And that's exactly what happened as Jesus felt His miraculous power flow through the garment to cure the woman. However, it is not the cloth that is responsible for the healing. Prayer cloths themselves are powerless. It is the faith of the Believer who receives the cloth that brings healing and comfort. That faith is in the power of prayer and ultimately in the healing power of God, symbolized by the cloth. Many prayer groups offer and sell prayer cloths as a simple cloth with holy oil applied to it. However, the Prayer Cloth Ministry is more similar to the prayer shawl ministries around the country. Given free of cost; prayer cloths, like prayer shawls, are made in the same manner with a prayer in every stitch, not bought or sold. Inspired by Acts 19:11-12, prayer cloths can be knitted, crocheted, loomed, or sewn.

Prayer cloths can be used in many different ways. You can place the prayer cloth on a special table and place prayer requests or pictures of those who are in need of prayers on the cloth. The prayer cloths may also be placed directly on the sick person or held while praying. Prayer cloths can be used to comfort the dying, the ill, those recovering from sickness, the aged, and the lonely and fearful. People needing spiritual comfort, going through depression , family difficulties, trials or tribulations can find comfort from receiving prayer cloths. They can even be given to mark special occasions, such as birthdays and anniversaries. Pocket prayer cloths are used in the same way but are made small enough to be tucked away into such places as wallets, purses, backpacks, pockets, and in the case of the military, in their helmets. I have even been told of patients facing surgery tucking a small prayer cloth in their hospital gown to be able to carry the prayers into surgery!" Source: Prayer Cloth & Shawl Ministries.

You might like to browse this website. There are patterns and stories, and nine other categories, all of which offer a clear insight into this blessed ministry.

Praying and purling; how women are turning knitting into a ministry to the needy

From the current issue of Today's Christian Woman Newsletter,

In the fall of 2005, Shirley Meisinger of Wilton, Iowa, was diagnosed with breast cancer. When this 70something grandmother began chemotherapy, a group of women from Shirley's church gave her a hand-knitted "prayer shawl." The simple rectangular shawl "got her through that time," says her daughter, Laura Rose, 48. "After her treatments, Mom lay on her recliner covered up with it and felt comforted." The shawl was fashioned by members of a knitting group at the United Methodist Church of Wilton. Unlike traditional Jewish prayer shawls—tassel-edged garments worn during synagogue prayer services—these shawls are prayed over as they're knitted and are meant to wrap the recipient in love.

For the rest of this inspiring article, please go to http://www.christianitytoday.com/tcw/2007/sepoct/2.26.html

A Prayer Shawl in Progress

Here's a prayer shawl in progress. This shawl is being made by one of our Knit Witt friends in South Bend, IN. She added the fringe to the beginning row when she started the second skein of yarn so she could see how it would look. The recipient of this shawl has not yet been selected.

This particular shawl will take 3 skeins of Lion Brand Homespun yarn in Quartz, and size 13 knitting needles.

Pattern: Cast on 63 stitches. First row - Knit (k) one, Purl (p) one, to the end of the row. Turn and knit the purl and purl the knit. You will begin every row with knit. As in the pattern given below, knit about 2 2/3 skeins in the pattern, and then cast off. Use the rest of the yarn for fringe for the cast-off row. This particular shawl has a fringe made from a 16" length of yarn folded in half and pulled through a stitch and knotted.

Head Huggers.Org & Chemo/Cancer Hat Patterns

This is the logo of the Head Huggers, an organization created by Sue W. Thompson (e-mail: thompson@friend.ly.net). On her website, http://www.headhuggers.org/, Sue describes what brought her to this venture:

"A while back, I met a wonderful woman who happened to be going through the experience of chemotherapy. Her one and only apparent side effect was that she had lost her hair. While we were out shopping and having lunch, this neat lady chose to wear a baseball cap to keep her head warm, even though the weather was mild.

Pondering this later, it seemed a shame that this woman who was already braving cancer and all that this entailed, also had to suffer with a cold head. I decided to knit her a warm, soft cap. Finding knit hat patterns on the internet, I was able to knit two caps in rather quick succession... actually using up yarn left over from previous knitting projects.

Then, realizing there are a lot of folks out there with cold heads as a result of chemotherapy, I decided to do more. I have found many more hat patterns, even some specifically labeled 'chemo caps.' I have patterns for knitted caps, for crocheted caps, and for caps which can be sewn out of fleece. I have received permission from the designers of the patterns to distribute them to other craftspeople who might want to join me in this project."

Head Huggers.Org has patterns for adults and children, in knit, crochet, and sewing. Please click on the link in the special links section above to take you to the home page of the Head Huggers website. Click on this link http://www.headhuggers.org/patterns/patterns.htm for the many patterns Sue offers on her site. Thank you, Sue, for all your efforts towards this cause.

Baby Blanket & Lap Robe Patterns from Mid Coast Hospital, Brunswick, ME

LAP ROBE forMedical/Surgical Unit

Use a size 9 circular needle 29" long and 4-ply machine washable and dryable acrylic knitted worsted yarn. This pattern requires 22 to 24 ounces of yarn for each robe. It starts at one corner, grows out to two corners and decreases to one corner, made all in one piece.

Cast on two stitches. Row 1: Knit off 1st stitch. Inrease 2nd stitch. Row 2: Knit 1, Inc.1, K1. Row 3: K1, Inc. 1, K1, K1. Row 4: K1, Inc. 1, K1, K1, K1.

Subsequent rows: Continue as above, always knitting off the 1st stitch and increasing on the second stitch, then continuing with the plain (garter) stitch, to the end of each row.

When the finished edge of the blanket measures 40 inches (this will be half the blanket), start to decrease. To decrease: K1, K2 together, continue to K1 to end of row.

Continue above with each row until you are down to the end. You will have a blanket 40 inches square, with a good finished edge.

BABY'S BLANKET PATTERN

This lacy blanket makes a lovely gift for an infant.
Yarn: 7 ounces baby yarn
Needles: one pair of No. 10 1/2

Cast on 109 sts. Knit 14 rows (7 ridges) in garter stitch. Now, start lace pattern-- k9, * yo, k2 tog. Repeat from * ending k 8. Repeat this row until piece measures 34 inches. Knit 14 rows (7 ridges), then bind off. Block blanket to measure about 30 by 36 inches.

http://www.midcoasthospital.com/volunteer/vol_knitting.html

Bev's Country Cottage - Chemo/Cancer Cap Links

This picture is from Bev's Country Cottage, accompanied by the following caption: There are so many children and adults in need of a bright colored cap to wear when they lose their hair to chemotherapy. At a time when their lives are in enough turmoil, perhaps having a cap someone has made just for them, will bring some renewed hope into their life. Please help today.

http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/cancercaps.html contains chemo/cancer cap guidelines, and links to patterns for crochet, knitting, and sewing, listings for cancer cap websites, cancer info links, and a list of places needing donations.

The Waiting Room Ministry

Excerp from "The Waiting Room Ministry"

Life is filled with times of waiting. We wait in line at the store, we wait for appointments, we wait at red lights and stop signs when we drive, we wait for our turn at sporting events, we wait for phone calls, and we wait for many other things in our lives each day. How do you spend your "wait time"? The Waiting Room Ministry is an outreach ministry designed to inspire us to serve the Lord as we wait in life. Imagine what it would be like if you prayed as you waited in line at the store for those in line with you. A prayer of blessing for each person would make a great difference in their lives. Just think how wonderful it would be if you prayed for those in the cars around you as you wait at a red light. The Waiting Room Ministry serves to help you wait in prayer, wait on the Lord, and wait with God as you move through your life."For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him." Psalm 62: 5.

The next time you find yourself waiting for something in your life, try praying! Talk to the Lord as you would to a friend. Lift up the needs of others, give difficult situations to the Lord, offer a blessing for others, or pray whatever comes to your mind. Jesus Christ is waiting to hear from you and our God longs to share in the many details of your life and the lives of all those around you. Does anyone need prayer for healing? Does someone need a word of blessing or encouragement? Pray -- and leave the cares and problems in God's hands.

http://www.waitingroomministry.com

copyright© waitingroomministry.com™ 2000 - 2007®

JustForKHIX's Facecloth Pattern

Because these are facecloths, the cotton yarn should be soft and gentle on the skin. Lion Brand makes a wonderful cotton yarn for facecloths. The preference of JustForKHIX is CottonTots because of its softness and fluffiness after washing.

On size 7 knitting needles, cast on 37 stitches.

Knit 1 Purl 1 every row until the cloth is approximately 8 1/2 inches long. Bind off and weave in the ends.

This is a wonderfully simple cloth to make, and the knit 1 purl 1 pattern makes it thick and nubby.

Knitting Directions for Prayer Shawls and Prayer Squares from The Waiting Room Ministry

PRAYER SHAWLS: 3 skeins of Lion Brand Homespun yarn Size 11 or 13 knitting needles

Pattern: Cast on 57 stitches. First row - Knit (k) three, Purl (p) three, to the end of the row. Turn and knit the purl and purl the knit. You will begin every row with knit. Knit about 2 2/3 skeins in the pattern.Use the rest of the yarn for fringe.Finished size is about 2'x7'.

Prayers:
Weave prayers into the shawl as you knit. Begin with a prayer forblessing the shawl. Then, pray for the person who will receive the shawl, as you are making the shawl.

PRAYER SQUARES: This is a smaller version that can be used for expectant mothers or for those who have one place on the body that needs prayer, such as a leg or arm, etc.

Knitting Directions:Materials needed: 1 skein of Lion Brand Homespun yarn and Size 11, 13, or 15 knitting needles

Directions: Cast on 24 stitches. Row one: K3, P3 to end of row.Row two: K3, P3 across row. Row three: K3, P3 across row. Row Four: P3, K3 to end of row. Row Five: P3, K3 across row.Row Six: P3, K3 to end of row.Repeat these six rows 10-12 times. Bind off all stitches. Crochet an edge around the square, using SC or a scalloped edge of five SC that connect to knitted edge every three stitches.

Before you begin to knit, pray to the Lord for you to be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit as you knit. Pray for the person who will receive this prayer square and ask the Lord to bless, heal, anoint, and guide the person. Pray for family members and for the doctorsand others who will take care of the person. As you knit, pray forthe specific need of the person to receive the prayer square, such as for a healthy baby and safe delivery, or for a knee or arm to be healed. Cover the prayer square with prayer before it is delivered to the person.

copyright© waitingroomministry.com™ 2000 - 2007®

The Origin of the Prayer Shawl Ministry

"Shawls ... made for centuries universal and embracing,
symbolic of an inclusive, unconditionally loving, God.
They wrap, enfold, comfort, cover, give solace,
mother, hug, shelter and beautify.
Those who have received these shawls have been
uplifted and affirmed, as if given wings to
fly above their troubles…”

Written in 1998 by: Janet Bristow © 2007

About the Shawls...
In 1998, Janet Bristow and Victoria Galo, two graduates of the 1997 Women's Leadership Institute at The Hartford Seminary in Hartford, Connecticut gave birth to a ministry as a result of their experience in this program of applied Feminist Spirituality under the direction of Professor Miriam Therese Winter, MMS. Compassion and the love of knitting/crocheting have been combined into a prayerful ministry and spiritual practice which reaches out to those in need of comfort and solace, as well as in celebration and joy. Many blessings are prayed into every shawl.

Whether they are called Prayer Shawls, Comfort Shawls, Peace Shawls, or Mantles, etc., the shawl maker begins with prayers and blessings for the recipient. The intentions are continued throughout the creation of the shawl. Upon completion, a final blessing is offered before the shawl is sent on its way. Some recipients have continued the kindness by making a shawl and passing it onto someone in need. Thus, the blessing ripples from person-to-person, with both the giver and receiver feeling the unconditional embrace of a sheltering, mothering God!
(*The shawls can also be crocheted, quilted, woven or machine knitted as well!)

Some uses for the shawl...Shawls can be used for: undergoing medical procedures; as a comfort after a loss or in times of stress; during bereavement; prayer or meditation; commitment or marriage ceremonies; birthing, nursing a baby; bridal shower or wedding gift; leading ritual; first menses or croning rites of passage; during an illness and recovery; ministering to others; graduation, birthday, anniversary, ordination, holiday gifts; or just socializing...there are endless possibilities!To make a shawl personal, the giver or the recipient may want to adorn the shawl with beads, shells, feathers and charms. A blessing or ritual maybe offered when the gift is presented.

~By Janet Bristow & Victoria Galo, 1998, 2007~

Please visit the link above for additional information on this ministry and its creators.