Light as a Prayer

One of my sweet friends and hilarious book club cronies has recently been diagnosed with cancer. This is one busy woman - wife, mom, grandma, dog rescuer, charity volunteer, board member.

She had a couple of down days, but she has bounced back with a vengeance, doing her chemo with a determined smile and looking ahead.

Of course, the way I always think to help is by knitting a prayer shawl -- keeping my hands and thoughts busy -- and providing what I consider to be a long-lasting hug.

Because we've already been hitting 80 degrees here in Phoenix, I wanted to make a shawl that is light and airy, yet still provides comfort and warmth. I used Bernat Baby Sport yarn, which is soft and light, but washable. This pretty, Springy, aqua color is called Popsicle Blue. I used a 24" size 13 circular needle and just knitted back and forth, increasing one stitch near the beginning of each row.

Triangle Prayer Shawl

Cast on 5 stitches.
Knit first row.
Each row thereafter: Slip 1, Knit 1, Yarn Over, Knit to end.
I did this until it was about 35" long and I counted 160 stitches on the needle.
Bind off.

Of course, you can use different yarn, different size needles, make it bigger or smaller. This is a pretty simple pattern that you can do in the waiting room at the dentist's office (people either look at you like you're doing some weird ancient tribal ritual or they talk about how their grandma used to knit), riding in the car, watching TV ... or while praying for a friend's health.

Sometimes love keeps me in stitches.

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