Prayer Shawls

Listening is a skill. It’s something we have to cultivate. Talking is easy. Some people talk and talk and talk and don’t stop to listen. They want to fill the space—want to be heard. But perhaps what they haven’t realized is that by avoiding listening, they’re missing out. Missing out on tremendous things that can happen when we make the space to listen.

A series of events this fall, which came in the space of listening, created a new endeavor here on the farm that I had no previous idea would even be on the horizon. But what you know you don’t know is tiny in comparison with what you don’t know you don’t know! And so the adventure began with a tiny moment at a book and yarn shop in Spooner.

I was on the way to help Kara load up those pumpkins for the pigs in October. I had a little free time before heading to Burch Farm, and it had been years since I’d stopped at the shop. I was feeling stuck in a rut with my crochet work and thought there might be some interesting pattern books available. Snooping about, there were indeed several interesting books–one featuring blankets even had a stitch that looked like cabling! Another book was based on making prayer shawls.

Hmm…prayer shawls. I hadn’t heard of that before. The designs were also interesting, so here I was between these two books. The cabling or the prayer shawls…the cabling or the prayer shawls…my mind went back and forth, telling myself that surely I couldn’t justify buying more than one at this time. Then a small, sure voice from inside nudged me, “Get them both.” And, without too much second-guessing, I listened.
That was on Sunday. By Sunday night I had the yarn balled to try that cabling stitch. But then it was Monday, full of farm work, so I really didn’t even get to anticipate sinking my teeth into the project until Tuesday. Mid-morning on Tuesday, Steve came home from prayer meeting at Spider Lake Church and was sharing about the concerns there, and that sure, small voice returned. I shelved the cable project and went right to the Prayer Shawl book. I needed to do this, a specific person needed to be reached out to, and I needed to do this right then.

My fingers flew through the orange and burnt rusty woolen colors. Saturday afternoon I was calling Pastor Gary about the project, and Saturday night I was steam blocking the finished piece. I was more than a little nervous walking into church Sunday morning, but I knew that I was sent to do this and that it was important. It was time to finish what had been started.

I shared this story with the congregation that morning. When I pulled the shawl out of the bag, the response in the room was so audible, it even surprised me. And then I asked for Ruth to come forward to present the shawl to her, reading the little prayer that had come with it from the book.

And then came the sure but small voice for a second shawl, and then a third (yes, I did finally get back to that cable stitch, adapting the pattern so it could be shawl-sized), and then a forth. Other people became excited about the process too, and more shawls were made by other caring hands. We’re now hosting a monthly Prayer Shawl gathering at Farmstead Creamery on the first Thursday of the month from 4 to 7 pm. Come anytime during the gathering that works for you. Everyone is welcome, whether or not you attend the Spider Lake Church. Here are some more details about the project and its process:

We’ll gather for prayer and dedication, as well as a chance to learn about the prayer shawl practice and share works-in-progress (or start new ones!). Inspirational patterns available for both knit and crocheted shawls. Please bring your own hooks or needles. If you have yarns you would like to use, bring them too! Some donated yarns available. All wool yarns at Farmstead Creamery 20% off for prayer shawl projects. Yarn weight and color consultation readily available. New or rusty to crochet or knit? The Farmstead team is happy to help you get started or through a tricky spot. All skill levels are welcome.

Open House Prayer Shawl Invitation. The first Thursday gatherings are a great time to jump in and join the prayer shawl team, but it’s impossible to pick a date or time that works for everyone who may be interested. We welcome you to stop by Farmstead Creamery anytime during open hours to check out patterns, discuss process, share works in progress or the excitement of completing a piece, or just for camaraderie while working. There’s a comfy sofa set in the loft (as well as plenty of other places to hang out) for curling up with your project and enjoying a cup of tea. Consider it your prayer shawl refuge whenever you need it!

Donations of yarn (of all types), knitting needles, crochet hooks, pattern books, charms, and brown paper or gift bags to present the finished shawls would be greatly appreciated. All donations will be stored at Farmstead Creamery and be accessible to anyone participating in the prayer shawl group. Bins for storing shawl yarn are also a great donation. Not sure what to do with Grandma’s old stash of yarn in the closet? Help someone make a beautiful gift of unconditional love. Or, even better, learn how to make one yourself!

Key to the prayer shawl process—start with the person. Everyone is or has gone through hardships or pain or loss or betrayal or sickness worthy of receiving a prayer shawl. But it’s not about making a bunch of shawls and giving them away. This is about God calling each of us to reach out in this act of unconditional love to a specific person—even if it’s a person we barely know. Crocheting or knitting a shawl takes time, attention, and care, thus making a unique space in our often-busy lives to focus our thoughts and heart on the desire that this person might find hope, love, peace, trust, and health again. This becomes a powerful act of channeling God’s love through us into a visual and textural gift the recipient can wrap about their shoulders and soak in that unconditional love. The prayer shawl can become a powerful tool and symbol to aid their recovery.

If you’d like to join me in the process of making prayer shawls during these cold, wintry months, please feel free to stop by! See you down on the farm sometime.