Lincoln Road Prayer Shawls .... and other charity crafting

Purple Cap Update

2011-11-18T12:19:00.001-05:00

Just a quick update on the purple caps we knit. The presentations on the Period of Purple Crying have been done to the mothers involved in Building Blocks for Better Babies, both at the Lincoln Road United Church site and the Bedford United Church site. Every mom or mom-to-be left with a purple hat for her baby. 47 hats in all were presented!

We have a start on next year's supply, but welcome donations of more -- or if you know of a new baby who needs a purple cap, please let us know!

It's November!

2011-11-02T21:52:00.001-04:00

This is the month designated for the Period of Purple Crying -- the month when babies will be getting purple caps. That means we're gathering up the caps we've finished and giving them to Building Blocks for Better Babies.

We've had a flurry of activity and we've reached our goal (~30) and then some. So here's what we have:

Oh, and we also have a few more blankets to add to our collection for delivery.

Going to have make certain I get to London soon!

We've Been Knitting!

2011-10-06T13:37:00.000-04:00

We're past due for an update, but I kept forgetting my camera, and I did want to be able to show you what we've been doing.

There's an organisation called clickforbabies.org Their goal is to educate new parents in Canada and the United States about the dangers of shaking newborns. In the lives of newborns there is a period of time when they cry more frequently and cannot be comforted. They call this time the Period of Purple Crying. As part of their programme they seek to have every newborn that leaves the hospital in the month of November provided with a little purple cap.

I do test knitting in a couple of groups on Ravelry and had the opportunity to test knit a Purple baby cap pattern, designed to be part of this programme. The designer, Amy Wunx, gave me permission to share her pattern with our knitters, which I did.

We haven't been able to connect with our local hospital for this programme, but we have connected with Building Blocks for Better Babies, a group which meets at Lincoln Road United Church on Tuesday afternoons. As part of the pre-natal and post-natal classes they include a session on the Period of Purple Crying, and are excited to partner with us to make sure that each mother will leave that session with a purple cap for their new baby, or their soon to be born baby.

And so, with a partner for the programme, we've been knitting purple caps, to have enough for November.

We'd love to have more! And we'd like to thank everyone who has contributed a purple cap or two or three ... or twenty-something!

If we have any extras we plan to start building a stash for next November -- so it will never be too soon or too late to knit one. They need to be machine washable and dryable (new parents really don't need the challenge of handwashing items for the baby!)

There are links to free patterns from the Click for Babies web-site -- or there are packages of patterns and information available at the church.

When we haven't been knitting purple caps, we've been knitting for preemies and new babies. We've knit blankets and hats and booties and mitts.

After the purple baby caps, we'll be entering the time of cooler weather and will be looking for hats, mitts and scarves to help keep people in need warm. The mitten tree won't be going up until December, but this is advanced notice for those who are looking for something to knit.

And of course, we will always have a need and a place for shawls of all sizes and descriptions (machine washable and dryable are preferred). Or for Chemo caps. Again, these need to be soft against sensitive skin, so wool is not preferred.

Whatever you like to knit, we can find it a home! We are connected to a network that gathers and shares these gifts of love with those who most need them. There are places that welcome knitted or crocheted squares, joining them together to make blankets for those in need.

So, if you'd like to join us on the first Wednesday of the month from 1:30-3:00, we'd love to have you. If you want to knit in the comfort of your own home (or while you are travelling), we welcome your gifts.

Snow Day!

2011-02-01T12:34:00.000-05:00

Just in case anyone is planning to join us and hasn't heard -- we're declaring February 2nd a snow day and invite you to knit/crochet/craft in the comfort and safety of your own home!

On March 2nd I will be away -- so our next scheduled gathering is the first Wednesday in April - April 6th. Hope to see you then!

Happy New Year!

2011-01-04T13:42:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year!
I just stopped by to check the last post and realised that I had neglected to update the disposition of some of our knitting.
The photographs show the hats, mitts and scarves that were knit (or loomed) by our group. Early in December (around the 12th to be more precise) we took down our mitten tree and shared the bounty. Those items that were deemed to be teen or adult sized were gathered together and given to Unit7/Street Help - to help keep those who live on the streets of Windsor a little warmer this winter. The smaller items were given to St. Mary's Learning Centre, to help keep smaller hands, heads and necks a little warmer.
Now, our shelves are almost bare -- with only a few prayer shawls still in reserve.
We start meeting again this week and any and all items will be most welcome!
I guess it's time for me to decide what that lovely fine yarn will become -- we meet again tomorrow to start the New Year's knitting, crocheting and crafting off!

Delivery Update

2010-11-18T10:16:00.000-05:00

I was at a seminar this week which was held at Lambeth United Church, and took the opportunity to drop off some of our baby knitting. I met a lovely lady who helps co-ordinate and distribute the knitted goods. Our contribution will be used by St. Joe's NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit), or, if there are extras, will be shared with Brantford General or McMaster Hospital.

Our primary concern is that our knitting goes wherever it is needed so we are delighted that it is now on its way to help keep some teeny tiny's warm. But it also means that our knitting shelf is bare of baby items. So if you were looking for something to knit and a reason to knit them, baby items, from preemie to full term new born are always needed.

For memory boxes they need to be in white, pink or blue, and hats, booties, sweaters and small blankets (18" x 18" or 24" x 24") either knit as a set or combined to make a set will be welcome. Memory boxes are composed of these items. They are used for babies who will never go home with their parents, and often are the only things that the bereaved parents will have to remind them of their little one. St. Joe's needs an average of 8 memory box sets each month.

On a happier note, the nurses like to dress the preemies in seasonal garb, so colours suited to the festive season, or for any special time throughout the year are very welcome. (Think Hallowe'en, Canada Day, St. Patrick's, Easter ... the only limit is your imagination!)

Many of you may be busy with Christmas knitting, and each pair of hands can only accomplish so much ... but if you aren't busy, or if you are looking for a different kind of project, there is a home for almost everything ... even for 6" or 8" squares which will be joined to form blankets for those in need.

Hats, mitts, scarves, baby items, chemo caps, blankets, or squares for blankets, prayer shawls ... isn't it wonderful that those of us who love to knit or crochet, sew or craft can use the art(s) that gives us so much pleasure to help those around us!

Up date

2010-11-04T19:10:00.000-04:00

Though I haven't been posting, our little group continues to meet and to knit. Yesterday I decided that it was time I took some more photos of some of our completed projects. Most of them will be distributed before Christmas.

As you can tell, we've branched out into more kinds of 'charity knitting'. We're knitting mitts, scarves, and hats for StreetHelp and other agencies that help to keep people warm during winter.

We also have a collection of hats, booties, and mitts for preemies and newborn babies who need them ... and a small blanket for a preemie as well.

Some of us are also working on chemo caps .... but none of those were here for the photo op. But perhaps next month we'll have more to show ....

We're still meeting on the first Wednesday of the month from 1:30 till 3:00 or a little later. Anyone who wants to knit, crochet or craft is more than welcome to join us for tea, conversation, community and, of course, knitting, crocheting or crafting. Hope to see you next month!

June 8, 2009

2009-06-08T10:41:00.004-04:00

I am now officially on sabbatical and so will not be posting to this blog until I return on September 8th. In the meantime, blessings on you, and enjoy your summer knitting!

We're Definitely Back!

2009-01-08T15:53:00.002-05:00

We met on Wednesday and will be continuing to meet on the first and third Wednesday of the month, to knit or crochet together. We are indeed expanding to include any kind of knitting for others, whether it is a hat for a preemie, or booties, or something to keep a child or an adult warm. Whatever projects call will be appropriate.

We have pattens for many of these projects, and will be searching out others. Ultimately, there will be links so that anyone who wishes to do this kind of knitting (or crocheting or sewing!) will be able to.

Last night I found a link for chemo caps, that has patterns for knit, crocheted and sewn caps to be worn by those who have lost their hair as a side effect from chemotherapy. I love their title: they're Headhuggers! Click the link and it will take you to a full page of patterns so you can choose what suits you.

I'll add the links for preemie and newborn knitting/crocheting links later. Just wanted to let you know that we are back on track. What better way to start a new year?

We're Back! Well, Sort of ....

2008-10-25T19:39:00.002-04:00

After a lovely summer break, we're back to knitting. We even met on the first Wednesday in October. But I'm away the first Wednesday in November, so we're taking a break then.

But we've been discussing broadening our focus. Not everyone wants to continue knitting prayer shawls, finding them a larger commitment than they can manage at the moment. And so we are expanding to make this a group for anyone who wishes to do any kind of charity knitting. Whether it's caps for preemies, or scarves and mittens for mitten trees, or socks for soldiers, or lap robes for those who mind the cold, you're welcome to bring your knitting and your dreams and prayers and join us.

And because the first Wednesday isn't always going to work, we're talking about expanding to the first and third Wednesday, with the invitation to come when you can, and feel no guilt when you cannot.

So, although we will not meet on November 5th, if you want to come and knit I'll be there on November 19th. And if you need some inspiration for a smaller knitting project, we'll have access to the Internet where free patterns for a variety of projects abound. And if you have suggestions, please feel free to bring them, or post them or send them my way!

Dawn

Summer Break -- Tuesday Evenings

2008-06-03T11:37:00.002-04:00

I just wanted to make sure that anyone who relies on the Blog for information is aware that our Tuesday evening group is taking a summer vacation. We will resume in October. That will be Tuesday, October 7th, meeting at 7 pm. I hope that all of our evening knitters enjoy their hiatus, and look forward to picking up the needles again in the fall!

Dawn

May Meetings

2008-04-29T12:52:00.003-04:00

On Sunday we said good-bye to Cathy who has been with us for 8 months. Cathy, if you're reading this, know that our two Shawl groups add their best wishes for your future endeavours. We'll miss you! Before she left Cathy added yet another stole to our supply. Thanks, Cathy. We'll find good homes for them all. God bless.

On Sunday we also discovered that there would be very sparse attendance for the Tuesday night meeting of the Shawl group and so the Tuesday evening meeting which would have taken place on May 6th is cancelled, for this month only. Wednesday afternoon's meeting will proceed as usual on May 7th -- from 1:30 until 3:00. Hope to see you there!

Dawn

An Update

2008-04-02T16:13:00.003-04:00

First, I must apologise for the long silence -- but I was on holiday and then Easter intruded -- and Cathy never tried to tackle posting here.

With Easter behind us there was some discussion about whether we would wrap up or continue to meet to knit, crochet, and visit, since this did begin as a Lenten project. The decision is that we will continue to meet on a monthly basis -- with some flexibility about the summer months -- which we will post here.

So - we will be meeting on the first Tuesday of the month from 7:00 until 8:30 pm and on the first Wednesday of the month from 1:30 until 3:00 pm (though both groups tend to overrun on the time!) But please, call the church to confirm (if you think of it!) before heading out. And yes! Newcomers are more than welcome to join us at any time.

And now, a photo update on how the shawls are coming. Some have already been given away, but this shows some of the assortment nesting in my office until the need for them arises. And still more are WIPs (works in progress). Aren't I fortunate to play host to so many lovely shawls and all the prayers that they hold?!

More Finished Shawls

2008-02-20T16:20:00.004-05:00

Each week the shawls are getting longer! Just look at how this one has grown!

Each week more shawls are finished.

All of the shawls are growing nicely. Some are growing faster than others, but not all of us have the time to knit on them when we are not gathered together -- life has a habit of interrupting even the best laid plans.

I was excited because this week I finally got to cast off (bind off) my triangular shawl. It didn't quite make it to the recommended number of stitches (though I had a terrible time trying to count exactly how many stitches I had!) I just kept knitting until I couldn't bear to work on the triangle any more - and until it measured long enough when draped over my shoulders -- I let the Wednesday afternoon group confirm that it was long enough, and then began the tasking of casting off my stitches. So here it is (I was getting into trouble because until today I managed to make sure that I was the one taking the pictures and not in them!) There are still a couple of ends to darn in ... but that is the work of only a few minutes, if I remember to bring a tapestry needle with me.

We aren't finished yet. For some it is simply a Lenten project, and when their shawl is finished, so is their time with the knitting/crocheting group. But for others it is more than that, and as they complete one shawl they promptly begin work on another.

There has been some conversation about continuing to gather to knit even after Easter is over. So do feel free to join us any time. We'll be here for sure until Easter, and quite possibly well beyond that. And though our knitting progress may be leisurely, the time we spend together makes it all worthwhile.

Dawn

They're Growing!

2008-02-08T11:55:00.001-05:00

Our shawls are growing! And so is the sense of community among the groups. Members are welcome to attend whichever session best accommodates the busy schedules of their lives. And new members are always welcome. This isn't a race. I know I've said it before but it bears repeating. Each of us knits at a different pace, and each of us has a busy life, with shawl knitting fitted in whenever and wherever works for each individual.

We have one triangle shawl completed (not mine!), and two rectangular shawls almost completed. Some have been created with specific recipients in mind, and some have been created simply from a desire to share with whoever might have need of one of our shawls. No specific decisions have been made about distribution of those shawls, but there is time for that, and the decision will be made by the groups.

We gather on Tuesday evenings from 7 until 8:30 and on Wednesday afternoons from 1:30 until 3:00. New members are always welcome, whether they want to come once in a while, or every week. Hope to see you there!

Dawn

More Pictures!

2008-01-31T12:07:00.000-05:00

Our shawl groups have started meeting, and this week I remembered to bring my camera. Of course, I forgot all about it on Tuesday night so have no photos of that group - but I did have my wits about me on Wednesday so have some pictures of our work in progress. If you look really closely you can even see that I've taken the green knitted stole and am in the process of converting it to a crocheted one with bands of white between the larger green sections.
I promise that at our next meetings I will do my best to remember to take photographs both on Tuesday night and on Wednesday, and I'll get everyone to hold up their shawls so you can see how well everyone is doing -- knitting or crocheting at their own speed -- since this isn't a race, but a lovely way to either learn something new or use a familiar skill in a new way to reach out to others. And do remember, it isn't too late to decide that you would like to join us!

Dawn

Promised Photos

2008-01-21T22:11:00.000-05:00

I promised that I would post photos as soon as I had them -- so here they are!
This is Cathy, reluctantly wearing her completed!!!!! shawl. And here is her shawl draped on a chair in her office.My triangular shawl done in garter stitch is growing very slowly now ... so unlike Cathy I still haven't finished a shawl yet ... but here is what I have so far.It's wide enough now that the length is only increasing slowly ... but it is more than two feet in depth and more than 40" across ... just how much more is becoming difficult to measure ... it's wider than the knitting needles and I don't want to make a mistake now!!!!!

We'll keep you posted on our progress -- Cathy has already started another one ...

And surely I'll have one finished soon! I really, really, really have to have at least one done before Cathy leaves us!

Dawn

What do I need????

2008-01-15T15:03:00.000-05:00

I hope you'll have patience with me as I continue to find my way around this whole blogging adventure. You'll see that I've added some links so that you can find patterns, and alternatives easily and without fuss. That was today's lesson!

But there are some basic material supplies that will answer your question of what do I need????

The basic knitting pattern takes 3 skeins of Lion's Brand Homespun (6 ounce skeins) and 8 mm or 9 mm knitting needles. I would recommend a circular knitting needle so that the weight of the shawl as it grows rests in your lap instead of dragging on your shoulders.

The basic shawl can also be knit out of worsted weight (usually 100 gram skeins), but then you will require about 5 skeins. The same needle size can be used.

The basic crochet pattern is less specific. It suggests 3 to 5 skeins of yarn -- worsted (100 gram skeins) or Lion's Brand Homespun (6 ounce skeins)or a chunky weight yarn. Crochet takes more yarn than knitting, so you'll need more yarn. Recommended crochet hook sizes for worsted weight are 6.0 mm or 6.5 mm. For Homespun or Chunky weight a 10.0 mm hook is suggested.
We haven't had anyone test crochet a shawl for us so we can't be more specific at this time.

Cathy can tell you that her three skeins of Homespun were sufficient for a knitted shawl, with a little left over. She also says that her tension tends to be on the loose side.

We do ask that the yarn be one of the "easy care" variety: washer and dryer friendly.

If you want to do a more complicated pattern (see links at the side), then you will need to be guided by the yardage that the pattern specifies.

We hope that this will be a rewarding experience in the creative aspect, as well as a gift of blessing to the recipient.

Dawn

A Pattern! Well, sort of ....

2008-01-15T13:00:00.000-05:00

Cathy has finished her shawl!! She brought it to church on Sunday and showed it off. She even modeled it for us. I didn't bring my camera to church, and I forgot it this morning, so photos will have to wait a day or two, though we will post them. I promise! My shawl, unfortunately, is not bigger than it was in the last posting. BUT, I do have a great excuse, er, I mean, a good reason, for the delay. Honest!

I've been told that there are those who do not want to purl, and the pattern on the Shawl Ministry web-site is a knit 3, purl 3 pattern -- not too cool for anyone who doesn't want to have to purl. Soooo, I decided to try my hand at a basic triangular shawl that is done in straight knitting, known in the knitting world as garter stitch. I don't have a picture of it either -- but it is now at least 40" across the top and is over 21" deep at the centre. It's a very simple pattern - working from the bottom up. You can knit it either way, depending upon whether you would rather increase or decrease, but there is a distinct advantage to working from the bottom up -- when you realise that you are about to run out of yarn, you cast off (or bind off, if you prefer). If you work from the top down, you are more or less compelled to continue until you finish the bottom point ... so this works best if you are certain that you have more than enough yarn. Otherwise, you'll wind up with an odd shape and might even be compelled to frog the whole thing (a sophisticated knitting term for tearing out knitting, derived from an ancient language -- rip it, rip it, rip it ! I know, that's very sad, but if you have to unravel your knitting you are indeed very sad.)

I'm on my second skein of yarn. I'm using Paton's Decor in a variegated combo called Blossom. It has a small wool content, so will have to be clearly labeled so that no one who is allergic to wool comes in contact with it, but it can go in and out of the washer and dryer, so is an easy care yarn. And I had it on hand, so could immediately start the experiment. Variegated yarns make the knitting a little more interesting, since you get to watch the colours change as you knit. And, I confess, it is easier to meditate when you are simply knitting your way across the row, instead of making sure that you have only knit or purled 3 stitches. Who knew it would be so easy to turn one of the groups of 3 into a group of 4????? So I am finding the triangle a more meditative knit.

If you want to try a triangle, you have a choice of starts:
Cast on 1 stitch, knit into the front and back of your stitch, giving you 2, and then into the front and back of those two, giving you four stitches.
Or, you can cast on 2 stitches, knit into the front and back of each stitch, giving you four stitches.
Once you have four stitches proceed to:

Row 1: Knit 2, yarn over, knit 2.
Row 2: Knit
Row 3: Knit 2, yarn over, knit 1, yarn over, knit 2.
Row 4: Knit
Row 5: Knit 2, yarn over, knit until 2 stitches remain, yarn over, and knit 2.
Row 6: Knit

Repeat Rows 5 and 6 until you have 225 stitches (more or less). Then knit 1 row, and cast off (bind off), loosely.

This pattern is designed for a worsted weight yarn (like Decor) which has approximately 210 yards/192 metres in 100 grams. I anticipate that it will take 4 skeins of yarn. I am using a 7.5 mm circular needle, which gives a slightly looser fabric that drapes nicely, and will still be warm and snuggly.

If you'd rather increase along the edge, instead of after knitting two stitches, you can do a yarn over at the start and end of alternate rows, which will give loops along the edge, instead of a lacy opening two stitches in.
Or
You can increase on alternate rows by knitting into the front and back of the first and last stitch on the increase rows.

All of these will give you a triangle.

If you'd rather knit from the top down, cast on 225 stitches.
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: Knit 2 together, knit until 2 stitches remain, knit 2 together.

Repeat these rows until you have one stitch remaining and cast off (bind off) that one stitch.

That's more than enough for today! I hope to have pictures before the week is out!

Dawn

WIP (Works in Progress)

2008-01-03T15:54:00.000-05:00

After Cathy and I purchased our yarn, the Christmas season intervened - but we both managed to start our shawls, and add some rows to them -- as you will see, Cathy is much farther along than I am. Hers is the one in mauve shades -- she's using yarn that fits exactly the specifications given, using Lion's Homespun which has 185 yards in a 6 ounce skein. She's using 9mm needles to knit it.
I am lagging behind. I'm using Bernat Berella "4" which is a worsted weight in dark green, and comes in 3.5 ounce skeins with 195 yards to a skein. It is going to take more skeins to complete my shawl, even though I too am knitting on 9 mm needles. The pattern flows once you get on to the knit 3, purl 3 rhythm ... but as I said before, there is no law that says shawls must be knit using this pattern. Indeed, there is no law that says it must be knit.
Knitters or crocheters who are more experienced and who want to do something in a lighter yarn, in a lacier (or simply different) pattern, are more than welcome to do so. Our hope is that the experience of creating the shawl/stole will bring pleasure to the creator as well as the recipient, whatever medium is chosen.

I've just finished another shawl, not for gifting -- at least, not at this point. I thought I'd share a picture of it since it is the product of the second Mystery Shawl KnitALong I joined. (And those Mystery KAL's are the reason I first became aware of and interested in a chawl ministry.) It's called Mystic Waters, and was a delight to knit! The pattern is by Anna Dalvi, of Knit and Knag blog. I finished it before the year ended -- not too shabby considering I started it in early November (I never said I was a fast knitter!)

Cathy obliged me by posing with my Mystic Waters Shawl.

And now, I'm off to knit ... don't forget to look at the last post -- that's where the first photo of Cathy helping me is posted. She's modeling the stole the Sunday School created, letting me act as photographer. (It's my camera! And I'm the Supervisor!!!!) Wait for me, Cathy!

It's Begun!

2007-12-14T15:19:00.000-05:00

Cathy and I went yarn hunting yesterday. We were looking for ideas of what yarns would be suitable for shawls that were not being given to someone we knew. That meant we needed yarn that came close to what was recommended in the pattern found on the Shawl Ministry Web-site, but that was also easy care -- machine washable and dryable.

The Knit shawl (stole really -- since it's a rectangle) calls for approximately 500 meters (555 yards) on size 8 or 9 mm needles (those are BIG! needles!) The crocheted stole calls for approximately 670 meters (700+ yards) and a 9 mm crochet hook. Directions will be available -- but you can also find them, and many, many variations (for those who don't want to knit the same thing over and over!) on the Shawl Ministry web-site.

The yarn we found was all in the worsted range (or heavier) ... you can get away with lighter yarn, and achieve a lacier fabric since the basic patten is Knit 3, Purl 3 .... on a multiple of 3 cast on stitches (the suggestion is 57 stitches), making sure that knits and purls do not line up to give you ribbing. (Check the web-site if I've confused you! And congratulations, if I haven't!

Anyway, it was impossible for me to visit our two local yarn shops and the large craft store and not come home with something, so I have begun my first shawl.... just barely, but it has begun. I'll show you what it looks like when it has grown a bit and when I have my camera handy!

Dawn

Expanding our Horizons

2007-12-14T15:07:00.000-05:00

As I sat looking around my office recently, my eyes rested on a gift I received some years ago from Sue White's class. It is a stole, created as part of their expression of what they were learning and doing in Sunday School, and when it was complete, they presented it to me, explaining what the symbols meant and what they had learned as they made it. Cathy very obligingly modeled it so I could add this photo to the Blog! Thank you, Cathy!

That's when it struck me. We aren't seeking to begin a new ministry, we are simply looking for ways to broaden and expand it. I have a shawl that was created in love and given with pride and with the hope that it would touch me as its creation had touched them. I was honoured and awed. The first prayer shawl was made before we even knew to name it such.

Helping Hands, a quilting group at LRUC, makes cuddle quilts for police and emergency service personnel to give to children at times of distress, hoping to bring them comfort and security when it is most needed. They also make quilts for the new homeowners through Habitat for Humanity.

Every fall the mitten tree is covered with mittens with the hope and the prayer that little hands will not be cold this winter.

Creating shawls, whether through knitting, crocheting, quilting, sewing, weaving or creative stitching, is simply one more way in which we can reach out to someone to celebrate their joy or to bring comfort in a time of distress, a way in which we can offer hugs when we can't always be there in person, a way of saying: never forget, you're not alone, wrap yourself in this and remember someone cares.

Dawn

Beginning Thoughts on Prayer Shawls

2007-12-11T13:10:00.000-05:00

Cathy and I have been discussing this for a while, and we hope that we're ready and that some of you will join us. The whole idea of prayer shawls is one that has been around for a while, and has appealed -- but where to start?

This summer, enticed by a stitching/beading friend, I signed up for a mystery stole knitalong (KAL) . Though it had been years since I had knit a project of any size, I persevered and completed the project -- a stole whose design unfolded through a period of some weeks, as the designer posted sections of her design for the group to download and knit. I also rediscovered my love of knitting, and searched the Internet for other stole or shawl patterns. Through my search I came across a free pattern for a prayer shawl, which renewed my interest in this project.

As a result of that first KAL, I signed up for a few more mystery stole knitalongs, which left me looking for ways to share, not only the finished product, but also the joy of creating, the calm and serenity that I rediscovered in knitting -- well, most of the time!

When Cathy joined us for her internship, we discussed many things related to ministry, and in our conversations, we discovered a common interest in finding new ways in which we could reach out to the community, and the idea of a prayer shawl knitting and crocheting group was born.

A prayer shawl can be many things:

It may be a shawl that you knit prayerfully, intending to use it in the future for times of devotion, meditation, or even simply when you feel the need to surround yourself with the warmth that creating the shawl brings. Prayer shawls of this nature have a long and honourable tradition within the Christian and Jewish faiths.

It might be a shawl that is created with prayers for someone in need, for a new baby, or to mark a special event in the life of someone close to you. I have a friend who sat down and created a shawl for someone she knew who had been diagnosed with breast cancer. She delivered the shawl shortly after this woman's surgery, to enfold her friend in her love, concern and care for her as she recovered, and as she faced whatever the future holds for her.

A prayer shawl might also be a gift that is filled with prayers and blessed when it leaves the creator's hands, to be given to someone s/he doesn't know who is in need. this may be facilitated by another agency, such as hospice, a women's shelter, through emergency response personnel, a hospital chaplain ....

The designs are as individual as the creators. We plan to have a variety of pattern resources available for our knitters and crocheters, from the simple patterns offered through the authors of Knitting into the Mystery ... Susan Jorgensen and Susan Izard, and that offered by Victoria Cole-Galo and Janet Bristow, the original creators of the shawl ministry web-site

This is the first step in our adventure and we hope that you will journey with us, sharing information and insight, as we seek a meaningful way of combining our desire for the spiritual to be expressed in concrete ways to help others.

It is our hope that this blog will be an additional way of helping those who cannot always be with us in community at Lincoln Road United Church to keep in touch and share their hopes, dreams, insights and inspiration with us, so that the circle may grow ever larger.

Blessings to all who visit, and on all of your projects.

Dawn