I'd Like To Teach the World to KnitIn Perfect Garter Stitch

Much has been written about the Prayer Shawl Ministry on the internet and in the news. It is a simple thing and about a year and a half ago I was asked to start a group at the church I attended, people know I am a knitter and thought that was, apparently, the only qualification needed. While at the time I wasn't so much into it, I heeded the "call" and got a group of knitters together to create these shawls to be given to people who are sick, mourning, celebrating births and weddings, any number of reasons. The shawls, for uniformity, washability and affordability are made with Lion's Brand Homespun. Not the yarn I would choose to make almost anything out of, but in this case it does the trick. When I make a prayer or good intention shawl for someone I know, I use nicer fibers if I think they will "get it." And I will use a different pattern, depending on the recipient.

I had no idea what to expect when I started this ministry, but it has been so rewarding. I am not usually there when the shawls are presented, but I love hearing about the reaction of the recipients. One woman would not go into surgery without her shawl, another wraps it around her every morning to meditate and pray even months after she is healed. Upon receiving her shawl, one woman cracked up laughing. Turns out, she is one of our knitters and got a shawl that she herself had knitted. So funny!

In thank you notes and anecdotes, one thing is clear. The restorative power of the stitches. Not just the stitches, but the love and good feelings that are knitted into each one. We usually don't know who we are knitting for, but to knit in a spirit of giving and healing touches not only the person that receives the shawl, but the knitter as well.

Many knitters knit for charity and can attest to the same. Knitting in itself gives us our own meditative state, that calmness that we strive for on a day of stress, or the brain chemical changes that come with the repetition and focus.  Knitting for someone else takes our minds off of our own problems or bad days to focus on that person. Add to that a productivity that gives us a sense of purpose and imagine all of that wonderful energy being sent off in the form of a warm, knitted hug. I believe heartily that whatever you are feeling while working on something transfers as energy to that thing, so am careful to always sit to my Prayer Shawl knitting with a spirit of hope, love and caring.

Recently I have knitted a special shawl for a friend that has had a tough winter. While I couldn't be with her to give her a big hug, I knitted one for her, into each stitch I imagined her feeling stronger and happier. Throughout the process I was surprised again (I always am) at what the knitting did for me. No matter what the day had brought, when I sat and worked on this shawl a feeling of light and happiness would come over me, and I felt that energy not only in the work, but crossing the distance between us. We all know how knitting is good for us, but I am always surprised at how knitting for others intensifies those feelings, it isn't just the knitting anymore, it is the giving as well. Really, think of how you feel when you give, and how you feel when you knit. Put the two together and it doesn't just double, the rewards are exponential and what you feel for the recipient grows as well. How can you feel anything but love for someone you are knitting for?

This got me to thinking about that saying that was taught to me growing up. "Pray for your enemies, for while it may not change them, it will transform you."  As much a skeptic as I am, I know from experience that this is true. Can you even imagine what it would be like if we could teach the world to knit? The knitting alone has a transformative effect on most, but then if somehow we could get everyone to stop and knit for their enemy one hour per day. Gang members knitting, I don't know, intarsia scarves with gang logos, armies knitting socks, and world leaders creating hats and gloves for each other.  The physical act of creating is one part of it (I mean, picture a teen knitting a logo and taking pride in it, then gifting it out!  It is ludicrous, but think about it), but I don't believe a human can continue to hate someone that they are knitting for. Like prayer and meditation the knitting and giving alters the soul.

Three hundred twenty-three to go.  I have a vision of the future:  A meeting of the United Nations.  Member representatives are working on a way to have peace in the mid-east at the same time needles are click-clacking away on Noro striped scarves and lace shawls.  Suddenly everyone notices the time and an arrangement over the Gaza Strip is happily agreed to.  Just in time, because the keynote speaker is about to arrive:  Lucy Neatby, who will be doing a workshop on short-row heels and toes.     

Comments

[Kim]

What a beautiful post. I completely agree with you....in giving we receive and the gift we receive is the joy that the gift brings the recipient.

Gang members knitting....now there's a vision...haha!

[Chery]

Well said on all accounts! I know it why I knit for others, not just my family. Praying for your enemies indeed does change you, it heals relationships, too. Thanks for sharing.

[Cheryl S.]

I know that your shawl was greatly appreciated. What a kind and thoughtful gesture.

[margene]

I'm crying all over again and laughing at (and enjoying) your world view. It's perfect.

[Cheryl]

That really is true, that praying for your enemies (or just people you have a hard time getting along with) changes you.

And you're right about the knitting too. That Seraphim Shawl I knit last year when I was so sad and depressed, I had to get rid of it. I gave it and its sad energy to my mother. Poor woman.

[Lynn]

Wonderful post - thank you! I figured that with posting every day, you'd get past the "Here is FO#22" stage and get down to the heart of who you are - and here you are!

[Carole]

This is a very thoughtful post and I enjoyed it. I knit a prayer shawl for my mother in law when she was dying of Alzheimer's. I know it brought her comfort and it brought me comfort, as well.

[Imelda / GreenishLady]

I've loved hearing about projects like the prayer shawls. I love the spirit of generosity and you describe so beautifully the way you knit the feeling of kindness into the shawl. I love your idea about having everybody knit. Yes, indeed, it could change the world!

[Debbie]

I really enjoyed reading your post today. I have knit a couple of prayer shawls for friends and I found that the process of knitting renewed and refreshed me and the shawls brough comfort to my friends.

[Manise]

Great post! I too chair and group and knit prayer shawls for my church community as well as relatives. I too love to see the reactions of recipients and read their letters.

[Judy]

Wonderful post, very thoughtful and provoking. Thanks.