Mar
okay so prayer shawls
I made my first one in spring 2022 when my aunt was going through chemo and honestly I didn’t really know what I was doing but it turned out fine. The whole idea is you’re making something someone can wrap around themselves when they need comfort or whatever, so the pattern doesn’t have to be complicated. Actually it’s better if it’s not because you’re gonna be working on this for like 20+ hours and you don’t wanna be counting stitches the whole time.
the basic setup
Most prayer shawls are basically just rectangles. You’re looking at roughly 20-25 inches wide and anywhere from 60-80 inches long depending on how much coverage you want. I usually aim for about 24 inches wide because that drapes nicely over shoulders without sliding off constantly.
The yarn choice matters more than you’d think. I used Red Heart Super Saver for that first one because it was what I had, and it worked fine but it’s kinda scratchy if we’re being honest. For the one I made last summer in 2024 for my neighbor who lost her husband, I went with Lion Brand Feels Like Butta and that was SO much better. It’s got this soft texture that actually feels comforting which is kinda the whole point.
Other good options: Caron Simply Soft (classic choice, comes in a million colors), Bernat Blanket if you want something super chunky and fast to work up, or Paintbox Yarns Simply Chunky which I haven’t personally used but my friend swears by it. The chunky stuff works up faster which is nice when you’re on a deadline.
gauge and hook size
I’m not gonna lie, I almost never do a gauge swatch for these. You want a fabric that’s got some drape to it but isn’t so loose it’s gonna snag on everything. For worsted weight yarn I usually grab a 5.5mm or 6mm hook. For chunky yarn maybe an 8mm or 9mm.
The one thing that really annoyed me about making prayer shawls is that the weight of the thing gets HEAVY as you go. Like that summer 2024 one, I was working on it while binge-watching The Bear and by the time I got halfway through, my lap was so warm and the shawl was getting tangled up on itself. You gotta find a good bag or basket to keep the finished portion in so it’s not dragging on the floor collecting cat hair or whatever.
actual patterns that work
simple shell stitch pattern
This is my go-to because it looks fancy but it’s just repeating the same thing over and over. You chain a multiple of 6 plus 2. So like chain 122 for a 20-inch width give or take.
Row 1: Skip 2 chains, work 1 dc in next chain, then do the shell thing which is 5 dc all in the same stitch, skip 2 chains, 1 dc in next chain, skip 2 chains, and repeat that pattern across. It creates these fan shapes.
Row 2: Chain 3, turn, and you’re working shells into the dc stitches from the previous row and single dc into the middle stitch of each shell. It creates this wave pattern.
Just keep repeating row 2 until you hit your desired length. I usually work until I’m almost out of yarn or until it measures about 65 inches.
trinity stitch aka cluster stitch
This one creates a really nice textured fabric that’s thick and warm. It eats up yarn like crazy though so budget accordingly. Chain any multiple of 2.
Row 1: Chain 2, then work a cluster which is pulling up loops in the next 3 stitches and then yarn over and pull through all loops at once. Chain 1, then do another cluster starting in the same stitch where you ended the last cluster. Keep going across.
The rhythm gets meditative after a while which I guess is fitting for a prayer shawl. I made one of these in winter 2023 using Loops & Threads Impeccable in this deep purple color and it turned out really dense and cozy.
basic granny stripe
If you know how to make granny squares you can do granny stripes. Chain a multiple of 3 plus 2. Work clusters of 3 dc separated by chain spaces all the way across, turn, and repeat. You can do this in one color or stripe different colors every few rows.
The striping thing is nice because you can use up partial skeins of yarn you’ve got lying around. I did one in like 5 different shades of blue and gray that actually looked intentional instead of just “I’m cleaning out my stash.”
the practical stuff nobody tells you
yarn amounts
For a standard sized shawl in worsted weight you’re looking at roughly 800-1200 yards depending on your stitch pattern. The denser patterns like trinity stitch are gonna use more. Simple shells or V-stitch patterns use less.
For chunky yarn maybe 600-800 yards. Always buy an extra skein because trying to match dye lots later is gonna drive you insane.
starting and ending
I usually just start with a basic chain foundation but if you want something stretchier you can do a foundation single crochet or foundation double crochet. There’s tutorials on youtube that show how to do that and honestly it’s not that hard once you get the hang of it.
For finishing I just fasten off and weave in ends. Some people add fringe which looks nice but personally I can’t be bothered. If you’re gonna add fringe cut your yarn pieces like 12-14 inches long so they’re about 6-7 inches after you fold and attach them.
the width problem
Here’s something that messed me up on my first attempt: your foundation chain needs to be long enough but not too long. If you chain too tight it’s gonna pull in at the bottom. If you chain too loose it’ll be wavy. I usually go up a hook size for my foundation chain or I really focus on keeping the tension loose.
Measure your foundation chain before you start row 1. It should measure close to your target width. If it doesn’t, redo it now before you’ve invested hours into the project.
color and meaning stuff
So apparently different colors have different meanings in the prayer shawl ministry tradition but honestly I just ask the person if they have a favorite color or I pick something that feels right. My neighbor loved yellow so I made hers in this soft yellow color using I think it was Caron Simply Soft in Lemonade.
Blue is supposed to be calming, purple is spiritual, pink is love, green is healing, white is purity or whatever. Red is courage. If you’re making it as a gift you can think about that or you can just pick what looks nice. The recipient probably cares more that you made them something than whether you used the “correct” symbolic color.
multiples shawls assembly line style
Last year I committed to making three shawls for people at church and I learned real fast that doing them assembly line style doesn’t actually work. I thought I’d chain all three foundations, then work on whichever one I felt like each day, but it just made me lose track of where I was on each one. Better to finish one completely before starting the next.
fixing mistakes without ripping out everything
Look if you miss a stitch or add an extra one somewhere in the middle rows, you can usually fudge it on the next row by skipping a stitch or adding one to get back on track. Prayer shawls are forgiving that way because most stitch patterns have enough texture that small irregularities don’t show.
I had one where I somehow ended up with 3 extra stitches about 15 rows in and I just decreased gradually over the next few rows until I was back to the right count. Nobody ever noticed.
The edges are where mistakes show more so try to keep your first and last stitch of each row consistent. I always do a turning chain and then work into the top of the turning chain from the previous row to keep things even.
washing and care instructions
Most acrylic yarns can go in the washing machine on gentle and tumble dry low which makes them practical for someone who’s actually gonna use the shawl. If you use wool or a wool blend you gotta handwash cold and lay flat to dry.
I usually include a little care tag or at least write washing instructions on a card that goes with the shawl. People appreciate knowing they don’t have to baby it.
the blessing thing
Some people pray or meditate while they’re making prayer shawls. I mostly just watch TV if I’m being honest, but sometimes when I’m working on one for someone going through something rough I do think about them and hope things get better for them. That probably counts for something even if it’s not – I dunno, my dog just knocked over my water bottle so hang on.
Anyway you don’t have to be religious to make a prayer shawl. It’s really just about making something soft and comforting for someone who needs it. The intention matters more than like, doing it perfectly or saying the right words over it.
variations worth trying
Pocket shawls are a thing where you add pockets to the ends so when someone wraps it around themselves they can stick their hands in the pockets. You just crochet two rectangles about 6×8 inches and sew them onto the ends of the shawl about 6 inches from the edge.
Hooded shawls are also nice especially for people who get cold easily. You basically make the regular rectangle and then add a hood piece at the center. The hood is just a rectangle about 12 inches wide and 18 inches long that you fold in half and seam up the back, then attach to the middle of one long edge of the shawl.
Button shawls where you add buttons and buttonholes or a shawl pin so it stays closed are practical too. Way easier than constantly adjusting it.
gifting and presentation
I usually fold the shawl loosely and tie it with a ribbon or put it in a nice bag. Including a card that explains what a prayer shawl is can be good if the person isn’t familiar with the concept. Something simple like “this shawl was made especially for you, wrap yourself in it whenever you need comfort” sounds less cheesy than you’d think when someone’s actually going through a hard time.
Some people include a poem or prayer card but I usually skip that unless I know the person would appreciate it. The shawl itself is the gift.
time investment reality check
These take a while. Even with chunky yarn and a simple pattern you’re looking at probably 10-15 hours minimum. With worsted weight and a more complex stitch maybe 25-30 hours. Don’t start one the week before you need to give it if you’ve also got work and life happening.
I usually spread it out over 2-3 weeks working on it a few hours at a time. Trying to rush through it in a weekend is gonna make your hands hurt and you’ll start resenting the project.
The spring 2022 one I made for my aunt, I think I worked on it most evenings for about three weeks. Put on a podcast or some music and just zoned out with the repetitive stitching. It was actually kinda therapeutic for me too dealing with the stress of her being sick.
when simple is better
Don’t overthink the pattern choice. A basic double crochet rectangle in soft yarn is honestly just as meaningful as something with a complicated stitch pattern. Maybe more so because you can work on it without having to concentrate super hard which means you can actually think about the person while you’re making it.
The fanciest prayer shawl I ever made used this cable stitch pattern I found online and it looked amazing but it took forever and I had to rip out sections multiple times because I kept losing track of the pattern repeat. The simple shell stitch one I made in like half the time got just as much appreciation.
So yeah that’s basically what I know about making prayer shawls. Pick soft yarn, make a rectangle with whatever stitch pattern you’re comfortable with, and give it to someone who needs a hug in fabric form. It doesn’t gotta be perfect it just has to be made with the intention of bringing comfort.
