If you’re a knitter, chances are you already have friends who are also knitters. See if they are interested in working together with you. They may have friends who would also like to join you.
If you’re connected to a local Church group, hospital, hospice, shelter or other charity, ask if your shawls would be helpful to their effort. Find out how many shawls they may anticipate needing and if your group can accommodate that need. Will they distribute the shawls for you? Do they have a base group of members who may also be interested in knitting prayer shawls?
Remember to keep the integrity of the prayer shawls, they must be freely given from the heart and not for sale.
Think about fund raising issues. Where will the money come from? Can the organization you’re working with help with donations?
Decide how the yarn will be purchased, where it will be stored, how the shawls will be packaged and distributed, and whether a written prayer or note will be sent with it. It’s a good idea to keep records of yarn purchased, who’s taken it, finished shawls, colors and even who the shawl was given to. Your method of doing this will become clearer as you progress.
Since this process involves prayer, a group prayer or blessing for each shawl is encouraged. Include small prayers and blessings throughout the knitting for the shawl’s recipient.
As your group gets started, set up regular knitting dates when you can knit together. Set up a location (homes, library, community or senior center, or somewhere at the organization you are working with), compare notes and ask questions and find out what works best for your group. Knitters can also work from home in between group get togethers.
You will find that your friendships within the group will grow closer as you work together on this positive project. The blessings between knitter and recipient, your faith community and your circle will grow and change your life in so many wonderful ways.
