Would you like to share a project that you have made from our yarns or
our patterns? Hundreds of thousands of people who care
about your favorite craft will see your work. Any submissions,
particularly original ones are welcome, as long as the project was
made from Lion Brand Yarn.
We began our prayer shawl ministry in September of 2007. We meet at our church every Tuesday from 1-3:00 PM and knit or crochet our choice of pattern for a shawl or lap blanket. We have 10-18 members in our group - ages 59-85! We work independently at home as well.
We buy our own yarn, and have donations of yarn occasionally. We have made approximately 70 items since September. Our priests have delivered approximately 30 items to date.
We have a beginning and ending prayer at our 2-hour sessions. If someone brings in a completed shawl/blanket, we bless it by all members present laying a hand on the project and saying a blessing in unison. The priests do another blessing in private before giving it to the recipient. The knitters/crocheters do not know who receives a shawl/blanket unless the person gives the priest permission to share the information. We are not present at the presentation with the priest. Our priests tell us that the recipients have been so touched by the love and prayers represented in something tangible. The priests have delivered shawls/blankets to our parishioners who are experiencing a loss, illness, or a celebration.
We feel like we the knitters/crocheters have benefitted as much as the recipients have. This group of women have bonded like sisters. We work diligently, but have lots of laughter,too.
Early on we decided to have a daytime session that meets weekly and a nighttime session that meets once a month, but the nighttime session never was attended! Our church is downtown and parking is always a problem. Older ladies do not care to get out for meetings in the dark (and to return home alone in the dark) and younger ladies are tied up with families in the evening. So daytime worked best for us. Anyone can contribute by working at home and donating the finished project. We advertise periodically in our church newsletter and that helps to remind people that we meet and they are welcome at any time.
