How to Make a Crocheted Prayer Shawl
Crocheting a prayer shawl is a meditative and spiritual activity. Prayer shawls are typically made by one person to be given to someone else. Personal handmade shawls are rarely sold. The finished shawl is seen as an embodiment of the thoughts, good wishes and prayers of the maker for the recipient. These significant crocheted pieces can be made using a few simple crochet stitches and the yarn of your choice.
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Instructions
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Know the stitches needed to make the shawl. The chain stitch is made by making a slipknot and putting the loop on your hook, then bringing the yarn over back to front. Use the hook to grab the yarn and pull it through loop while dropping it off the hook. The half double crochet stitch is made by wrapping the yarn over while you already have one loop on the hook. Insert the hook under the V-shape of the next stitch on top of your work, grab the yarn and pull the loop onto your hook. There should now be three loops on your hook. Grab the yarn again and pull it through all three loops while dropping them. Only one loop should remain.
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Add ritual significance to your project before you begin crocheting if your intention for making a prayer shawl is to create a spiritual token. Say a blessing, prayer or wish to dedicate your work and note its intentions for its receiver. Concentrate your prayers and good intentions on the work as you proceed.
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Make 51 chain stitches. Then turn the work and make one half double crochet stitch in the third chain stitch from the hook. Continue making one half double crochet stitch in every stitch until you reach the end. Make two chain stitches and turn your work. In the next row, make one half double crochet in every stitch until the end, make two chain stitches and turn your work. Continue repeating this row until your shawl reaches its desired length.
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Cut the yarn and use the hook to draw the end through the last loop. Use the tapestry needle to weave in the loose ends.
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Add fringe by cutting lengths of yarn that are twice as long as you want the fringe to be. Hold four or more pieces together and fold them in half. Insert your hook through the bottom edge of the shawl, close to a corner. Grab the pieces at the top of their fold and pull them part of the way through the shawl so that there is a large loop sticking up. Wrap the loose ends of the pieces around your hook and pull them tightly through the loop you created. You have created your first section of fringe. Add more fringe to the edges of your shawl. Trim any pieces that are too long down to their desired size.
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Say a blessing, prayer or wish over the shawl for the receiver before giving it away if you want your prayer shawl to be a spiritual gift.
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References
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