Charmed Prayer Shawl Crochet Pattern

I have been asked by many people to write out the pattern for the prayer shawl above. While I have been away from my blog over the Christmas period, I am finally back into crochet mode. We had a fabulous trip and I certainly finished off a number of UFOs which I will share with you all over the coming weeks. My first task though was to write up the green prayer shawl.

Remember I am an Aussie, so I use Australian/ UK terms in this pattern.

Charmed Prayer Shawl

This stitch is called Diamond Lattice. I found it in an old crochet stitch library and I am unsure of its origin. There are 4 rows to the pattern and it works up quite quickly. I added little metal charms at each end. I found these at the craft shop; however make sure that the holes are large enough for your yarn to thread through. I ended up with some ever so cute dragon flies which I couldn’t use as the holes were too narrow!

My green shawl was made of some angora and goat hair yarn that was made in Turkey. From memory I used about 4 - 5balls (100 gms balls). I like the tension on these to be quite loose so I used a 6mm hook.

You need a multiple of 10st plus 5, and then add 3 for the foundation row. I used 58ch and worked the shawl until it was 150cm or 59in long. The width was about 80cm or 30inches. I didn’t think to measure the tension however make your start ch and measure it unstretched to get an idea of the final shawl width. Fortunately these aren’t an exact science as long as the pattern multiples work out. This pattern has quite a bit a stretch and makes a lovely snugly shawl that feels like a warm hug.

I haven’t tested this so I hope it works out. THIS IS IN AUSTRALIAN / UK TERMS.

Our tr = USA dc

Our dc = USA sc

Our dtr = USA tr

Our lollie = USA candy!

Row 1. 4tr into 5^th ch from hook, *9ch, miss 9ch, 4tr into next ch, repeat from *till last 2st, miss 1ch, 1tr last st, turn.

Row 2. 3ch start, miss 2tr, make 4tr between 2^nd and 3^rd tr of prev row, *9ch miss 9ch, 4tr between 2^nd and 3^rd tr of next group of 4tr. Repeat from * across row, 1tr in top of turning ch

Row 3. This row requires some concentration but once you get the hang of it is easy.

3ch start, 4tr between centre 2^nd and 3^rd tr of 4tr group.

*4ch, miss 4ch working over previous chain (so as to trap them) work 1dc into 5^th ch of the first row, TURN and work back along the 4ch thus: 3ch start, 6dtr over the 4ch loop, now TURN, 3ch start missing first dtr, 1tr into each of next 5dtr, 1tr into top of 3ch (this is the diamond in the pattern), miss 4ch, 4tr between the 2^nd and 3^rd tr of the next 4ch group, repeat from *across , 1tr into top of start ch, turn.

Row 4. 3ch start, 4tr between centre 2^nd and 3^rd tr of 4tr group, *9ch, miss diamond, 4tr between centre 2^nd and 3^rd tr of 4tr group, rep from * across, 1tr in top of start ch.

This will look a bit odd as the chains will appear quite loopy.

Row 5. Work as for row 2.

Row 6. Work as for row 2.

Row 7. This is a repeat of row 3 however make 1dc into the top corner of the Diamond, working over the 3 rows of 9ch so as to catch them.

The pattern repeat is from rows 4 – 7. When your shawl is long enough, work till row 6 of the repeat - you will have 2 rows of 9ch loops.

Edging

3ch start, miss 2tr, make 2tr between 2^nd and 3^rd tr of prev row, *9ch add a charm by pulling the loop through the charm hole, make another 9ch then slst into top of tr, 2tr between 2^nd and 3^rd tr, 4ch, 1dc into tip of previous diamond, 4ch repeat from * across, 1tr top of start ch, finish off.

The bottom edge is worked in the same as the top edge. Join yarn at start edge and repeat as above. Because the pattern is upside down you will need to align the dc with the bottom corner of each diamond, and work the tr into the ch at the base of the 4tr in row 1.

This is an addit to my post late last year:

When I gave the shawl to my friend wrapped up as a gift, she asked me would it make her cry? I said maybe, but not for long as it will keep you warm. The next day she sent me this email, which brought a tear to my eye.

“ Dear Susan,

The answer is yes, I did cry and yes it will keep me warm.

What a beautiful gift. I am very touched and will treasure the shawl forever, particularly in light of the beautiful words you have written. It will indeed be a hug from (my daughter).

It has been a very very difficult journey and to be honest it was far more difficult and emotionally draining before (my daughter) passed away. Now there seems to be an emotional tearful period every day, albeit reducing in size. I will keep the shawl close by so I can have a 'hug' when I need it most.

You cannot begin to understand how much I appreciate such thoughtfulness and support. I think the tangible support of friends does reinforce that you are not alone and people are thinking about you - that in itself provides enormous strength, so thank you very much.

Losing a child as about the worst thing that could ever happen but I feel very privileged to have shared such a journey so intimately and to have developed such a wonderful relationship with my daughter. I saw her mature in a way that I think many people strive for all their lives and never succeed. I also witnessed her strength and courage and I sincerely pray that when confronted with my own mortality I am able to be as faithful, gracious and brave.

Thank you so much.”

If you have any difficulties following the pattern please leave me a message.

UFOs and the Anniversary Road Trip

Sunset on the road to Canberra

It seems I haven’t blogged in ages. It isn’t that I don’t have anything interesting to talk about: quite the opposite. Life has been filled to the brim with our youngest celebrating his 18^th in October. we also finally put in a new kitchen as the previous one celebrated its 20^th birthday, and in much a shabbier state than our son!

This month my husband and I celebrate 30 years of marriage. To mark the occaision we decided (or rather I insisted) we go on a kid less trip. This is the first holiday we have had on our own since BC (before children). When he asked me where I wanted to go I said there were two places that I thought would be lovely for an anniversary trip. The first was Niagara Falls. I have seen so many photos of Niagara Falls, and the movies portray it as a honeymoon sort of place. The second place I have long wanted to see was to travel the Great Ocean Road, at the bottom of Australia and to see what remains of the 12 apostles. I believe a few of them have fallen into the sea due to erosion and I would love to see as many of them while they still remain. So hub, ever the imaginative one says "great – let’s do the Great Ocean Road! Furthermore, let’s drive all the way and stop at a few places along the way. "

Sculpture in the Gardens in Canberra

Now for those unaware of the distance the Great Ocean Road is approx 1900k (1,100 miles) from our home on the Gold Coast. This is a very long drive. And we will need to drive back. After 30 years what can we possibly talk about for such a long drive?

Hub has his podcasts of philosophy bites, and an iPod full of his choice of music. This includes Christmas carols, which the man listens to all year just because they make him feel good, Eva Piaf, and some ABC down loads. My only solution is to crochet the miles away. So in a moment of panic, at the thought of all those kilometres of road kill, Eva Piaf and Philosophy I decide to take as many UFOs with me to see how many I can finish. Seems like a clever plan to me.

We reached Canberra on Thursday night, and it was a mere 38 degrees Celsius (100 F) and we headed off to the National Gallery. Canberra is our Nations capital, and because I had a hook and yarn in my hand, I didn't take too many photos!I didn't realise how many famous pieces we have here in Australia and I stood in front of Monet's Water Lilies for some time in awe. The man of course, reckons he could paint that if he tried. Truth is he has been flat out trying to paint the decking.. he has been working up to it for a few years now. In the photo above he is checking out the bronzes by Rodin in the sculpture garden. I am not sure why I thought finishing the green wrap in mohair and wool was such a good idea. But I did finish it. I crocheted 8 blocks from the Gold Coast to Canberra (1, 105 klms), and did the edge from Canberra to Thredbo. I used a block called a snowflake motif which I found in one of those weekly binder jobs.

This I discovered at my Lifeline charity store. The yarn you might recognise from one of the prayer shawls I made for a friend in the last post. I did however, start my wrap over a year ago. As I enthusiastically bought a dozen balls of the yarn and I have now managed to get 2 shawls. If I had planned ahead I would have brought some charms with me to finish it off. In Cooma I discovered one of the best craft stalls I have been in for some time. I did purchase some little charms but the holes are too small to thread onto the yarn.

My crocheting was interrupted as we stopped to let an echidna cross the road just inside the Kosciuszko National Park. By the time I had put the hook and yarn down, and dug around for my camera the little guy was burying his way into the side of the road. I have never seen this before in my life and if you check out the video clip you can just seem the echidna as he digs himself into the ground.

ECHIDNA on the road to Thredbo

I did manage to get the shawl finished and here it is, draped over the balcony at Thredbo where we will stay for the weekend.

Thredbo is a Ski resort in the winter, and extremely pretty and quiet in Summer. You can see the remnants of the snow in the photo. This is one of the few places in Australia cold enough and high enough for skiing. I am sure it is nothing on Aspen, but it is a nice destination.

My plan is to use the wrap when we reach Melbourne as we have a dinner to attend. Thredbo is beautiful in Summer. We will do a few bush walks while we are here in Thredbo, and then we head further south to Melbourne. Given the heat, I am thinking I might work on some smaller projects for the next leg of the journey.

Thanks for looking!

Prayer Shawls

A dear friend of mine has recently had a pretty tough time as her 23 year old daughter died after a battle with cancer. I can not imagine any grief worse than losing a child, particularly at such a young age. Her daughter had a melanoma removed about 2 years ago, discovered secondaries early this year, and was cremated at the beginning of the month.

It is hard to know what to say or do as nothing seems adequate.

After doing some research I decided to make her a prayer shawl. I have never done one of these before, however I found it comforting for my soul as I thought of her situation, and prayed for her comfort. I am not a deeply religious person, however something about tragedy does make us consider our own mortality.

In researching prayer shawls I discovered the Prayer Shawl Ministry and this wonderful site:

http://shawlministry.com/

While I haven't been blogging I have been busy. Here is a picture of the shawl I made for my friend. It is in a soft green and cream angora and wool mix. I added little crosses and heart charms onto the fringe which were made from 9 ch, added a charm, and then did another 9 ch, slst in the base.

It took me a while as I made it about 150 cm long. The pattern is an interesting one I found in one of the old weekly crochet journals that I found in a charity store. She has a strong Anglican faith and I felt the green was a soothing colour and I like how it turned out. I plan to give it to her in the next week.



Another colleague of mine recently lost her Dad. It has been a very difficult time for her as on only child, and as a special daughter. I was originally going to get her some flowers, and then a plant for her office however as the first shawl turned out so well I decided to make another one.
This friend is in her mid 30s so I chose a summery colour called custard by moda vera. I added some little dragon fly charms to the fringe. The decorative stitch is the same as the green one, however I went for a triangle style with plain rows of granny square type pattern in between.

I found a plain card with some pansies on the front and wrote the following verse in side:

“This Shawl was made just for you

To bring comfort, to know you are loved

This Shawl is to wrap you up~~

When you're cold,

When you're hurting

When you need to snuggle,

This Shawl was crocheted with blessings, With Love, With Prayers,”

Crocheted with love by a special friend

Prayer Written By: Gena Kathka, March 16, 2006, http://www.prayershawl.com/, used by permission

On the opposite side of the card I wrote:

"Dear (friend) May this prayer shawl enfold you in warmth, comfort, healing and peace. Think of it as a big hug from your Dad, With Love .."

I left it on her desk at work after she had gone for the day. The next morning I received the following email:
"Thank you so much for the lovely shawl and words on my card. It really meant a lot, it has been a bit hard for me of late, so it was perfect timing. And the flowers on the front of the card ( pansies )are my favourite! I appreciate your kindness in such a difficult time"

I am so pleased I discovered the prayer shawl ministry, and hope my other friend likes hers as well.
Thanks for looking, and make sure to visit the prayer shawl ministry as they do some beautiful work.

Snuggly Ugglies for Big Kids

Well it took a particularly cold winter down here to prompt me to finish of my crochet uggly patterns! These are for big kids and adults following numerous requests in realtion to my baby snuggly ugg booties.

Another thing I started well over a year ago, which have taken me forever to complete. It has been now a year since Grandma left us and I did loose interest in crochet for a while. Last winter was a long one as we sorted her things and dealt with our loss.

These Uggies though would have made her smile!

I made numerous pairs before I got the shaping and sizing right. I have tried to keep these simple. They have a crocheted sole however some non slip goop could be added to the bottom if you wanted to.

The sons' gfs modelled them for me and decided they were very comfy. I have 3 sons and the gfs have learnt that if they eat at my table, then they model my crochet! It is funny how intrigued this Generation y is with old fashioned crafts such as crochet. The lass in the photo below is keen to have me teach her how to crochet. My son wasn't too impressed when she shows more interest in what I am doing than what he is doing! Payback time for the pain I suffered in bringing him into the world, the cracked nipples and other personal sufferings to get him where he is today.

Uggs are an icon down here. It took the fashionistas to make them popular internationally.

While nothing can replace the original sheepskin Ugg, my crochet ugglies are a bit of fun. The pattern can be worked in 8 ply or 12 ply and I am going to experiment with some novelty yarn for the band. I have a pile of fluffy stuff in my stash which might do the trick.

I have listed the patterns on etsy to correspond with the chilly winter down here.

Thanks for looking.

(c) crochetroo Australia