How to Make a Prayer Shawl

Prayer shawl, the concept was basically derived form the Jewish tradition ofTallit. They were worn on a 'Shabbat' (holy occasion) and also during the daily prayers, at the 'Shul' (Jewish temple). Whereas, in Christianity a prayer shawl is a cloth blessed by the clergymen, to respect a guardian angel, saint or a deceased person. This blessed piece of cloth is later on presented by the clergymen and the Laity to the people who are ill or in bad fortune. Prayer shawls are also given to the people who are celebrating some happy event in their lives like, confirmation, childbirth or baptism.

All in all, a prayer shawl is a divine cloth and is used in many religious beliefs. They are known as peace shawls, healing shawls, comfort shawls and mantels but their motif is same every time and that is, to make respective person feel secure; that he/she is never alone. Making a prayer shawl is a creative, as well as an adorable way to express your true affection, towards the person you are presenting the prayer shawl with.

How to Make a Prayer Shawl

First and the most important thing to decide upon is, the material of the prayer shawl. The feel of the material, that you choose to make a prayer shawl with, must be soft and warm. Usually, the homespun material is 90% acrylic, so it is easily washable and hence most preferred. Also make sure that you choose a soothing color for it because color is what gives it the intended feel. See to it that colors must neither be very bright nor very dull. Three skeins of homespun yarn and 13 to 15 number knitting needles is all that you need to knit a prayer shawl.

One can make prayer shawls using various methods like, weaving, sewing, knitting and crocheting. Now without wasting anymore time, let's get to know how to make a prayer shawl. The method that is described below, is one way to make a prayer shawl with fringes through knitting.

Prayer Shawl Knitting

Choose a soothing color combination when making a prayer shawl. Three skeins of homespun yarn and 13 to 15 number knitting needles is all that you need to knit a prayer shawl.

Pattern for Knitting the prayer shawl:

• Cast 63 stitches around the needles. Make sure that the stitches are not too tight. Follow the same knitting pattern the whole way across. Knit three stitches and then add three purl stitches.
• Continue to knit, by starting each row with three knit stitches. Work the knitting procedure for at least a 60 inches wide and 25 inches long shawl.

Prayer shawl fringes:

• The fur stitches are used while knitting the fringes or bangs of the prayer shawl.
• Choose the texture of the bangs. If the knitting of the prayer shawl is tight, then you can make contrast fringes of a cashmere yarn or chenille cord yarns. You can also make braids out of the fringes.
• Once you decide what length of the fringes you want, then cut the yarn for the fringes. 12 inch fringes are best suited for a prayer shawl. Now, cut a cardboard piece of your desired size of the fringes and cover the yarn around the cardboard piece until the cardboard is totally wrapped. You must have some strands of yarn each with equal size.
• Collect twice the desired thickness of the bangs and fold them into half. Tuck in the loop ends of the fringes in the desired position of the shawl. If the fringes are in a tight space, then make use of a crochet hook.
• Draw the loop ends of the bangs together. Part the fringes in half, then tie the opposite halves of the fringes together.
• Try to create fringes on both the short sides of the prayer shawl. This increases the length of the fringes to ½ inch and ensures that they won't split away during washing process.

It is always said that while knitting a shawl make a good wish and pray for the person for whom it is being knitted. This way you can concentrate best on that person, as well as the work that you are doing. Many people volunteer to the noble cause of making prayer shawls and present them to the poor and needy people. It is also a great gift that can be given to a loved one, in order to show your affection, support as well as participation through every phase of life. Prayer shawls, that were actually a traditional practice of Judaism and Christianity, are now being used across various religions. They are believed to give support and God's constant blessings to all those in need.