shawlministry.com/
The above site has good explanations and the instructions for knitting or crocheting a shawl. My parish started this ministry locally in January 2007 and it has blessed so many people across the US and even in other countries. There is a different type of prayer shawl that is used by men in the Jewish traditions, but this is for lay people or whomever needs one. I received one when my mother passed away.
Basically, the person making the shawl prays for the eventual recipient (by name if they are known or in general) while they are making the shawl. It benefits the maker by enriching their prayer life and providing a soothing meditative prayer atmosphere whereever they take their project (for me even on an airplane). It benefits the recipient by providing comfort/peace when they get the shawl. It is an ecumenical type of ministry that can be done by any church or group.
As Catholics, we also have our shawls blessed by a priest when they are finished. We give them in a plain brown “gift” bag with an insert explaining that it is a blessed item containing the prayers of the maker for the recipient and given by the entire parish family. We also include an insert that explains about the ministry with contact info for our organizer in case they decided to provide some feedback or a thank you note.
Most of our ladies who had any knitting skills when they started knitting do a knit 3, purl 3 pattern and basically pray the sign of the cross with every 3 stitches. I was a rank beginner who needed to modify the pattern to all knitted stitches and then concentrate on the yarn and needles. Therefore, I pray when I pick up my work and at the end of rows whatever prayers come to mind for my recipient. Some ladies prefer to crochet and some do both.
Some parishes like mine have decided to limit the shawl recipients to those with serious illness or grief, etc. Some places can make enough to give them for new babies and weddings also. We have heard back from so many recipients or their families in just the one year.
We know of at least a couple of people who received them in their final illness and asked to be buried with the shawl. Many people have told us of the peace that comes over them immediately upon wearing the shawl. They have been worn during chemo or in the hospital after surgery. We sent enough to Mexico last year to give one to all of the contemplative nuns at a convent that our parish has a relationship with through our teen mission trip.
I’m particularly enthusiastic about this ministry because every parish is likely to have at least one or two crafters who can help teach new people. It does not take much money to get started. It can be done by young and old alike. Additionally, even “sick” people can do this and feel useful. My mother made dozens of shawls while in her final year battling cancer. It gave her a renewed sense of purpose and filled her with peace.
jumping all over the universe, I throw a shawl up over my head, to shut out outside stimulus like light & sound…