On the Wings of a Prayer Shawl
Feel the soothing and restorative benefits of knitting for charity as you work on this beautiful knit prayer shawl pattern for someone in need.
Have you ever wanted to help a loved one in need but didn't know how? Well, with this On the Wings of a Prayer Shawl, you can create a beautiful and stunning knit shawl that is perfect for giving anyone a bit of comfort. Acting like a warm hug and filled with healing prayers and loving thoughts, this knit shawl is sure to be appreciated by your loved one.
This shawl is also great to make for a charity or church group. As you work on this intermediate knit shawl pattern, send loving thoughts to someone who could use them and you'll find that every stitch you make is also quite healing for you, as well. You can never underestimate the power of knitting for charity and this piece will certainly hold a special place in your heart.
Knitting Needle Size8 or 5 mm, Circular Knitting Needles
Yarn Weight(4) Medium Weight/Worsted Weight and Aran (16-20 stitches to 4 inches)
Gauge20 sts/24 rows = 4” [10 cm] in Stockinette Stitch
Finished SizeApproximately 58” [147.5 cm] wide and 25” [63.5 cm] long, blocked
Materials List
- Red Heart, Boutique Unforgettable Yarn, 100% Acrylic, 3.5 oz (100 g ball), 269 yards (246 m) 2 balls, Dragonfly
- Size US 8 (5 mm), 32” circular needle (to accommodate the large number of stitches)
To learn even more about prayer shawls, be sure to check out ourGuide for Giving a Prayer Shawl
Instructions
Cast on 5 sts.
Rows 1-2: Knit.
Stockinette Section
Row 3 (RS): K2, yo, pm, k1, pm, yo, k2. (7 sts)
Row 4 (WS): K2, purl to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 5 (RS): K2, yo, knit to m, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, knit to last 2 sts, yo, k2. (11 sts)
Row 6 (WS): K2, purl to last 2 sts, k2.
Repeat last 2 rows seven more times. (39 sts)
Garter Stitch Section
Row 7 (RS): K2, yo, knit to m, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, knit to last 2 sts, yo, k2. (43 sts)
Row 8 (WS): K2, knit across all sts, slipping markers as you come to them, k2.
Repeat last 2 rows four more times. (59 sts)
Eyelet Section
Row 9 (RS): K2, yo, k1, *yo, k2tog; rep from * to m, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, k1, *yo, k2tog; rep from * to last 2 sts, yo, k2. (63 sts)
Row 10 (WS): Knit, slipping all markers as you come to them.
Stockinette Section
Row 11 (RS): K2, yo, knit to m, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, knit to last 2 sts, yo, k2. (67 sts)
Row 12 (WS): K2, purl to last 2 sts, k2.
Repeat last 2 rows nine more times. (103 sts)
Garter Stitch Section
Row 13 (RS): K2, yo, knit to m, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, knit to last 2 sts, yo, k2. (107 sts)
Row 14 (WS): K2, knit across all sts, slipping markers as you come to them, k2.
Repeat last 2 rows four more times. (123 sts)
Eyelet Section
Row 15 (RS): K2, yo, k1, *yo, k2tog; rep from * to m, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, k1, *yo, k2tog; rep from * to last 2 sts, yo, k2. (127 sts)
Row 16 (WS): Knit, slipping all markers as you come to them.
Repeat last 2 rows once more. (131 sts)
Stockinette Section
Row 17 (RS): K2, yo, knit to m, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, knit to last 2 sts, yo, k2. (135 sts)
Row 18 (WS): K2, purl to last 2 sts, k2.
Repeat last 2 rows nine more times. (171 sts)
Garter Stitch Section
Row 19 (RS): K2, yo, knit to m, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, knit to last 2 sts, yo, k2. (175 sts)
Row 20 (WS): K2, knit across all sts, slipping markers as you come to them, k2.
Repeat last 2 rows four more times. (191 sts)
Eyelet Section
Row 21 (RS): K2, yo, k1, *yo, k2tog; rep from * to m, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, k1, *yo, k2tog; rep from * to last 2 sts, yo, k2. (195 sts)
Row 22 (WS): Knit, slipping all markers as you come to them.
Repeat last 2 rows two times more. (203 sts)
Stockinette Section
Row 23 (RS): K2, yo, knit to m, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, knit to last 2 sts, yo, k2. (207 sts)
Row 24 (WS): K2, purl to last 2 sts, k2.
Repeat last 2 rows nine more times. (243 sts)
Row 25 (RS): K2, yo, knit to m, yo, sm, k1, sm, yo, knit to last 2 sts, yo, k2. (247 sts)
Ridged Lace
Row 26 (WS): K2, purl to m, rm, p1, rm, purl to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 27 (RS): k2, purl to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 28 (WS): K2, purl to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 29 (RS): K2, k1, *yo, slip 1 st knit wise, k1, psso; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 30 (WS): K2, purl to m, rm, p1, rm, purl to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 31 (RS): k2, purl to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 32 (WS): K2, purl to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 33 (RS): K2, k1, *yo, k2tog; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Repeat Rows 26-33 one time.
Row 34 (WS): Knit.
Suspended Bind Off
*Knit two stitches together through the back loop, move the st from the right hand needle to the left and needle; rep from * to the last two sts, cut yarn and pull through remaining stitch.
Finishing
Weave in all ends. Wash and block shawl as desired.
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Click image to enlarge
Abbreviations
- k2tog
- knit two together
- m
- marker
- pm
- place marker
- PSSO
- pass slipped stitch over
- RS
- right side
- rm
- remove marker
- sm
- slip marker
- st(s)
- stitch(es)
- WS
- wrong side
- Yo
- yarn over
Prayer Shawl Video Tutorial
Check out this video tutorial from our friend Heidi Gustad to learn how to knit a beautiful prayer shawl.
Do you have a favorite thought or prayer you’d “weave” into this shawl?
Read NextWarming Hearts Knitted Shawl Wrap
Your Recently Viewed Projects
jackih 3704666
Jul 23, 2019
Row 30 indicates to remove markers. However, the markers were already removed in Row 26. Hmmmmmmm?
lcpete35 3303594
Jul 12, 2019
I have made over a dozen shawls using this pattern. I have made it in solid colors, used different colors for each section and used multicolored yarns. These all have been gifts for church members and have been appreciated.
MP loves Crochet
Oct 12, 2018
I made this for my sister-in-law after she lost her husband. I prayed for her whenever I worked on it. She lives in Sedona, Arizona so picked these rust colors. She was very happy and surprised when I gave to her.
Hippie Chick
Aug 16, 2018
I now have a better appreciation of what a prayer shawl truly is and how you are correctly supposed to create one. This is a very pretty shawl, but I have not really committed to the one I would like to make as my first. I also am still searching for a prayer that is meaningful to me to use as I make my shawl.
smbeale 8998300
Nov 06, 2017
I just finished the shawl. It came out beautiful. I did as suggested regarding row 26. I slipped both markers. At row 29 I kept 1st marker and slipped 2nd in order to k1 and psso. That way if it was a mistake I could back track. I removed 2nd marker in row 30 and all was well.
smbeale 8998300
Oct 30, 2017
Thank you so much for your quick reply. I am making it as gift for my husbands aunt's 100th birthday.
Tricia108
Aug 17, 2017
What a lovely pattern! It looks easy enough and has different textures in it so that is an additional plus. Prayer shawls are always needed. I knit for a charity and this pattern will come in handy. Thank you.
Susan S
Nov 18, 2016
Perfect - I was looking for a prayer shawl pattern. I've joined a prayer shawl knitting group at my place of worship and was looking for something pretty, colorful and easy. This is different from the k3,p3 pattern of a traditional prayer shawl, too. Love the variegated yarn, too.
quanahs 5032097
Mar 07, 2016
I am pretty sure that the remove marker in row 26 is simply a typo. I would go ahead and slip the marker until you complete row 30.
Member 4486231 VH
Sep 10, 2015
This pattern is beautiful. I am almost finished it but have a question. On row 26 it says rm two times which means remove markers. However, on row 30 it also says rm. I do not see where markers were put back on after they were removed on row 26. Please clarify. Thank you.
azsylvee 3949734
Oct 01, 2015
I have read the pattern and your question about row 26 30 and the rm in them. Did you ever receive an answer to clear this up. I want to make the shawl and feel I should find the answer to your question before I start. Please let me know. Thank you.
alexandredanielle 1353968
Oct 01, 2016
quanahs 5032097 said 'I am pretty sure that the remove marker in row 26 is simply a typo. I would go ahead and slip the marker until you complete row 30'
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