[Nfb-krafters-korner] Pocket Prayer Shawls from Lion Brand Notebook

[Dixie]

From: Lion Brand Notebook <noreply+feedproxy at google.com>

Subject: Lion Brand Notebook

Date: September 12, 2015 at 7:09:09 PM EDT

Reply-To: Lion Brand Notebook <yarncraft at lionbrand.com>

 

Lion Brand Notebook

 

Pocket Prayer Shawls Provide Portable Comfort

Posted: 12 Sep 2015 05:09 AM PDT

Blogger and author Kathryn Vercillo is an expert in the area of using
crafting to heal, having 

researched the topic extensively for her book Crochet Saved My Life. In this
post she tells us 

about pocket prayer shawls, which are fun to craft and healing for
recipients. Read 

Kathryn's previous blog posts on the Lion Brand Notebook here.

Photo credit: Southern Belle Crochet - Free pattern available.

 

*****

 

Prayer shawls provide comfort to those who make them as well as to the
recipients of these special 

gifts. However, it can take a long time to knit or crochet a shawl and some
people, although they 

appreciate the gift of one, don't ever wear shawls. Pocket prayer shawls
address both of those issues, 

allowing crafters to quickly work up comforting handmade squares that any
recipient can carry at 

any time for constant comfort.

Learn about the benefits of prayer shawls.

What is a pocket prayer shawl?

As the name suggests, this is a miniature version of a prayer shawl that is
small enough to fit inside 

of a pocket. As with all prayer shawls, the crafter infuses each stitch with
a prayer or loving intention 

to provide love and goodwill to the person who will receive the small item.
Pocket prayer shawls, also 

called prayer squares and prayer cloths, are small enough to be tucked into
pockets, purses and even 

inside helmets. They can also be carried into surgery and taken on
vacations.

Who needs pocket prayer shawls?

Who might receive a pocket prayer shawl? Anyone who needs the comfort of a
handmade item! You 

might craft an individual pocket shawl for a specific person you know who
has had a recent loss or 

who is going through an illness. Alternatively, you might knit or crochet
many of these and make 

them available to people to take them when they feel that need that comfort.
A basket of these 

shawls, each with a prayer or note attached, can be placed so that those who
are seeking extra 

support can feel comfortable taking one.

 

We all need a little bit of comfort sometimes; we aren't always comfortable
asking for that but can 

often more easily accept the love of a handmade item. Taking a pocket prayer
shawl from a basket of 

them is a way to ask for help and immediately receive it. Create a basket
with a sign that lets people 

know that the prayer cloths inside have been crafted with intention and love
and that anyone in need 

of a prayer is welcome to take one.

Some of the places where you might place a basket of pocket prayer shawls
include:

?              In your church or wherever you attend spiritual services

?              In schools for both children and teachers to access

?              In hospitals and nursing homes for patients and visitors

?              On your desk or in a communal area at work

?              Conferences, expos and even craft fairs

?              Community centers

You might also check with the following places in your local area to see if
they might be interested in 

a donation of pocket shawls:

?              Counseling centers and doctors' offices

?              Transitional housing, children's group homes, homeless
shelters and domestic violence 

shelters

?              Veterinarian offices, shelters and animal rescues

?              Veterans centers and other services for soldiers; The Prayer
Cloth Ministry in Texas has 

sent more than 17,000 prayer cloths to the military

A gift for a group

Pocket prayer shawls can also be given to groups of people, including family
members of someone 

who has received a standard prayer shawl. Let's say, for example, that a
friend of yours has a fatal 

chronic illness, and you knit her a prayer shawl as comfort. You might also
knit small pocket prayer 

shawls for everyone in her family who is also going through this difficult
time with her. Group gifts 

of pocket prayer shawls can be given at funerals, when companies close down
and when a 

community faces a tragedy together. But prayer shawls can also be reminders
of positive times, too! 

They can be given out as favors to wedding gifts and also gifted to
graduating classes and the families 

of newborn babies.

Big shawl, little shawl

Many people choose to create a small pocket prayer shawl that matches every
big shawl that they 

make. The recipient then has the option to always have that handmade love to
carry with them, even 

when it's not appropriate for them to wear the big shawl. This is also great
for the type of people who 

don't like to use handmade items for fear of "ruining" them; they can tuck
the big shawl away 

somewhere special for safe keeping and feel comfortable carrying the little
pocket shawl with them 

as a reminder. Alternatively, the pocket shawl might be given to a second
person, such as a spouse or 

child. You might make a prayer shawl for a mom who is ill and she may give
the pocket prayer shawl 

to her child to hold when mom's away in the hospital.

Who makes pocket prayer shawls?

The great thing about pocket prayer shawls is that even a beginner crafter
can easily learn to make 

them. They are a great group crafting activity and so are frequently made in
craft groups. You'll find 

people making them together in ministries, schools, therapeutic
environments, library groups and 

yarn stores. Of course, you can make these as an individual as well. And no,
you don't have to be 

particularly religious or of any certain faith to craft prayer shawls; see
our tips here for making 

prayer shawls even if you don't pray.

Since pocket prayer shawls are so small, they are great for any crafter
seeking an instant gratification 

project. They are also a great stashbuster item. You can use up a lot of
your leftover yarn and have it 

go to a great cause! They're also a great opportunity for practicing new
techniques; even if you don't 

like the technique you'll have made something worthwhile while learning it!

Pocket prayer shawl patterns

A pocket prayer shawl could be a miniature version of a standard crochet
shawl pattern, perhaps just 

a small section of it. Alternatively, it could just be a small square or
other motif. For example, St. 

Alban's Episcopal Church in Glen Burnie, MD has a crafting group that
crochets small squares 

consisting of just five rows of 20 double crochet stitches each. This is a
super simple pattern that 

anyone can learn to make in order to provide comfort to others. Other great
motifs to consider for 

pocket prayer shawls include granny squares, hearts, coaster patterns,
bookmarks and knit or 

crochet flowers. You might even make tiny purses or wallets and slip a
prayer or message inside. 

Each of these items is a variation on the pocket prayer shawl and can easily
and affordably be made 

available to those in need. As long as the item is crafted with intention
and small enough to be 

carried everywhere, it will serve its purpose!

Photo via Southern Belle Crochet - Free pattern available.

       

 

 

 

 

Dixie

@-> ~ <-@