what does a prayer shawl look like?

a prayer shawl HAS to be a triangular shape to be official, yes?

it can't possibly be a long stripe (i.e scarf) ... and there's NO WAY it could be shaped like a purse.... could it??????

it's been a busy several weeks with lots of projects mixed in ... i've spent many hours searching for 'perfect prayer shawl' patterns .... been involved in a few swaps on Ravelry and wanted to find the perfect pattern for my swap partner .... and all the while i have learned some life lessons as well as some new knitting techniques. For one, i tried a new stitch called the Trinity Stitch and found a new technique that created an interesting texture. When was the last time you veared away from the comfortable stitch you know (knit a row, purl a row) and combined those stitches in a NEW way .... Trinity Stitch is simply a K1, P1, K1 in 1 stitch, then P3together in the next. It only takes 4 rows to complete a pattern. Ready? Cast on a multiple of 4 sts plus 2

Row 1: (RS) Purl

Row 2: k1, *(k1, p1, k1) into next st, p3tog, rep from * to last st, k1.

Row 4: k1, *p3tog, (k1, p1, k1) into next st, rep from * to last st, k1.

Who KNEW that a simple change in perspective - looking at things in a new and different way - could be fun? productive? dare i say, relaxing? I had ever intention of making my swap partner a knitting purse. I found myself praying for her as i knit, asking God to bless her and her family, her knitting that she shares with others, just seeking His favor on her while i knit for her. Well, time constraints limited me to just 1 side of the purse, which i used to turn into a smaller notions bag. i ran the stripes lengthwise, rather than width wise, seamed up the sides and left a flap to fold over - inserted a pocket and some lining and my 1st 'prayer shawl' was filled with goodies - and prayers - and shipped out!

i have many friends who share a common love and affection for a dear family who served as our minister of music so very faithfully for many, many years. we recently learned that Aubrey was having a really hard time with a long term illness and IMMEDIATELY my sweet sisters banded together with their needles and yarn to create a blessing blanket! we have opted for Christmas colors (because our friends brought Christmas to our hearts and our music with a passion that few can match). Casting on a multiple of 3 stitches (not to exceed 24ish...) we have all agreed to knit stripes 4 foot in length and pray for dear Aubrey and Phyllis during this time. You may call them stripes or scarfs but when we meet again, we'll sew them together, spend some more time in prayer for this sweet family, and present them with a blessing blanket --- or --- a prayer shawl!

i've knit 2 stripes so far for aubrey. Have you ever tried the 'mistake rib' pattern? or the diagonal rib stitch pattern? yet again, it"s about

Diagonal Rib (multiple of 4 stitches)

Row 1 (rs) *k2, p2, rep from * to end

Row 2: same as row 1

Row 3: *p1, k2, p1, rep from * to end

Row 4: *p1, k2, p1, rep from * to end

Row 5: *p2, k2, rep from * to end

Row 6: same as row 5

Row 7: *p1, k2, p1, rep from * to end

Row 8: *k1, p2, k1, rep from * to end

Repeat these 8 rows for desired length.

Now, what have i learned from all this? Prayer shawls ARE triangles ... but they are also rectangles and squares. They are long, short, thick, thin. Wool or cotton. Cashmere or Acrylic. A shawl is a covering that is worn to bring comfort, shield from the cold, wrap around us as a gentle reminder that someone was thinking of you, PRAYING for you and whispering your name to the Father. Is that NOT the way that we knit just about every sweet gift that leaves our needles? Romans 8:26 reminds us that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words when we often don't know exactly how to pray, or what to ask for. I have learned that my knitting produces prayer shawls in all shapes and sizes for the people i love, that God has laid on my heart. Some of my prayers are audible... ALL of them are understandable because my Father is always listening.

What else have i discovered? God can use ME and my needles even though i may not fit the standard, pre-conceived idea of a knitter! I may not have as much experience as others, my techniques may be lacking compared to others, my yarn may not be as 'nice' as others.... but when God sees MY heart and my willingness to be used, HE blesses my gifts. He has ordered my days and my yarn (though my stash does seem a bit discombobulated at the moment!) He knows the number of hairs on my head and the number of needles in my knitting bag! When i keep my focus on Him i soon discover that His love for me is the catalyst for all that i do. He sees me with different eyes! How can i NOT share His love with everyone i meet ... some are hurting, some are searching ... but we all need HIM! and a prayer shawl (purse, scarf, blanket) is an outward expression of such a compelling love!

In the rhythm of the needles there is music for the soul.

Be still and know that I Am God!

Football Season is a LOT more fun ...

now that i know how to knit!!!!!!! It's Thursday nite and the nite that so many have been waiting for is finally here ... College Football! Fans are gathered around TVs everywhere to begin that ritual that they've been counting the days for .... declaring allegiance to their team, buying everything imaginable in their favorite colors to show their undying commitment and loyalty ... and for the next few months weekends will now be scheduled around kickoffs ... cookouts and tailgates will become MUCH more significant .. and in order to support this mindset i'm planning for the Fall as well by getting my knitting projects lined up according to the game ..... i have found that knitting affords me a perfect seat to sit back and watch this all unfold ... one quarter at a time, one game at a time .... and in the ideal world, my husband's team will play for the National Championship ... which, for a knitter, translates to a LOT of knitting!!!!

Since he's watching the game with friends tonight i spent the evening doing some meadering of the local yarn stores - I'm getting ready for a secret swap that ends in a few weeks. If you've not discovered Ravelry.com yet i just have to ask: What are you waiting for? There are SO many neat options on that site and one of them is the Swap feature .... anything for Yarn Stashes to Secret Swaps on a Budget to Prayer Shawls and Traveling Scarfs.... My swap partner for this month is a fan of pink and green so i raided by personal stash as well as 'subsidized' it just a bit more tonight and am going to include a Magic Ball for her to make a scarf with .... This is a great way to use up your scraps of yarn that you don't want to throw away but really can't find anything else to do with ....

Ready for a fun "recipe" to take to the games? Begin by raiding your stash and pulling the colors that make you smile (perhaps if you pull Team Colors you'll just blend right in while knitting!) ... Textures are HIGHLY encouraged because they add such Character to your finished project. Grab some 11s or 13s circular (in order to accomodate the large number of stitches) and get ready to knit. If space isn't a big deal, just knit directly from each skein. However, for my swap i'm going to pull 8 yards from each skein and tie them loosely together so i can wrap it into one GyNormous Magic Ball!

Leaving a 6" tail for fringe, start with a slip knot and cast on 100 stitches in your 1st color. Cut your yarn, leaving 6" at this end also so your fringe will match. You are through with your 1st row so set this aside and grab another color.

Repeat the process, making sure to leave approximately the same amount of 'fringe' on both ends and don't forget to vary the colors and textures - thin yarn and large needles will create a lacey row while thick yarn will add some extra "umph" along the way. How FUN will it be to receive this little "prize" in the mail and just start knitting and waiting for a scarf to unveal on her needles. Remember, you can make this as THICK or THIN as you want. Repeat colors often or scatter them throughout ... Some of us can do "Random" better than others :)

When you're happy with what you see i would recommend binding off in the same color as your last row of knitting. (I do have some friends that find that it necessary to 'plan' their magic scarf, or they might not be able to breathe! I also have some kindred-spirit friends who can just grab-n-go! Perhaps this scarf is a bit of a personality test as well! ) Use an overcast knot to tie the fringe a bit more securely and trim if you have to ... or leave dangling if you find that look works for you!

With this disappearing act you may find that if you can clean out your stash, you'll NEED to make a yarn shop run before the NEXT game!!!!! Once again ... it's all about Keeping Knit Simple!