Gentle Solace Prayer Shawl Pattern
Ever since I reviewed The Prayer Shawl Ministry – Reaching Those in Need and The Prayer Shawl Ministry Vol. 2 I have been wanting to design and share a free crochet pattern for a Prayer Shawl or Friendship Shawl for you to crochet.
The yarn I chose to use is the same brand recommended by both books – Lion Brand Homespun but I chose to use the Thick & Quick Stripes because it was so lovely and warm and soft and the color just spoke to me.
This yarn is so textured I decided to use a simple woven stitch for the design – to allow the yarn to shine through.
I love this design because it allows me to slip my fingers through the spaces between the stitches and hold on…and to run my fingers along the loops at the ends of the rows and feel the texture of the yarn and bumpy chain stitches. I hope this design brings comfort to those who choose to make it and to those who choose to wear it.
This shawl is quite large – and wraps comfortably to cover me. I suspect it will fit up to a 2x – 3x; so if you want to crochet a shawl for a smaller size, please simply decrease the number of chain stitches you start with. You could also make this into a lovely blanket! I have included varying starting chain lengths to assist you in changing the overall size of the project!
83 sts will give you 72 inches
81 sts will give you 70 inches
71 sts will give you 60 inches
47 sts will give you 40 inches
37 sts will give you 30 inches
23 sts will give you 20 inches
After you have added the simple chained edging the project will be an additional 10 inches in size.
You can continue to work the height of the shawl/wrap as many rows as you wish. Then add the edging which is calculated to work with the sizes.
Gentle Solace Prayer Shawl Pattern
Gentle Solace Prayer Shawl
Supplies
Yarn: Lion Brand Homespun Thick & Quick Stripes (Antique Stripes Color #213)
Hook: 15.75 mm (Q)
Yardage: Approximately 536 yards (490 m)
Abbreviations
US Terminology Used
Beg – begin
Bpdc – back post double crochet (see special stitches)
Ch – chain
Dc – double crochet
Fpdc – front post double crochet (see special stitches)
R – row
Rep – repeat
Sk – skip
St/s – stitch/stitches
* – Repeat the instructions between the asterisks the number of times indicated. This repeat will contain multiple instructions.
() – Repeat the instructions between the parentheses the number of times indicated.
Finished Size
24″ by 52″ long (plus the edging)
The edging adds 10 more inches for a total length of 62″.
My gauge is approximately 1.15 sts per inch.
Special Stitches
fpdc – Front Post Double Crochet: Yarn over the hook, insert your hook from the front of the stitch to the back of the stitch (around the post of the stitch) to the front of the stitch; yarn over and pull up 1 loop (3 loops on the hook), yarn over and pull through 2 of the loops on the hook (2 loops on the hook), yarn over the hook and pull through the remaining 2 loops on hook.
bpdc – Back Post Double Crochet: Yarn over the hook, insert your hook from the back of the stitch to the front of the stitch (around the post of the stitch) to the back of the stitch; yarn over and pull up 1 loop (3 loops on the hook), yarn over and pull through 2 of the loops on the hook (2 loops on the hook), yarn over the hook and pull through the remaining 2 loops on hook.
Helpful Tutorials
fpdc – front post double crochet
bpdc – back post double crochet
Notes
The Woven Stitch is the pattern stitch I have used for this Prayer Shawl Design. It is a very simple stitch and one which you will be able to work easily. For example – the last stitch worked in Row 1 is a bpdc – when you turn your work to start the next row the bpdc you worked is now facing you (it looks like a fpdc now because of the way the work is turned) – all you need to remember is to work the opposite dc post stitch into each stitch; so if the stitch you are looking at appears to be a fpdc you would work a bpdc in it; this will make it weave from one side of the work to the other continually and give it a woven appearance.
Pattern Multiples
chain a multiple of 2 + 1 (for the turning chain)
Pattern Instructions
R1: ch 61, beg in 2nd ch from hook, 1 sc in each st across, turn (60)
R2: : ch 2 (counts as 1 dc) – *1 fpdc in the next st, 1 bpdc in the next st**. Rep from * to ** across; 1 dc in last st, turn (60)
R3: : ch 2 (counts as 1 dc) – *1 bpdc in the next st, 1 fpdc in the next st**. Rep from * to ** across; 1 dc in last st, turn (60)
R4: rep R2
R5: rep R3
R6: rep R2
R7: rep R3
R8: rep R2
R9: rep R3
R10: rep R2
R11: rep R3
R12: rep R2
R13: rep R3
R14: rep R2
R15: rep R3
R16: rep R2
R17: rep R3
R18: rep R2
R19: rep R3
R20: rep R2
We will now begin the edging. Working along the side edge.
*Ch 10, 1 sc around the post of the end stitch of the row. 1 sc around the post of the next stitch on the edge.** Rep down the side edge. Ending with a sc in the corner stitch.
Turn to work along the starting ch row.
*1 sc, ch 1* in each st across. Ending with 1 sc in the last st of the row.
Turn to work along the side edge.
*Ch 10, 1 sc around the post of the end stitch of the row. 1 sc around the post of the next stitch on the edge.** Rep down the side edge. Ending with a sc in the corner stitch.
Turn to work along the top edge.
*1 sc, ch 1* in each st across. Ending with 1 sc in the last st of the row.
Finish off and weave in all ends.
On March 9, 2016 Marie Segares of Underground Crafter did a podcast reading of this pattern you can save or download if you would like an audio version! Here’s the direct link to her post for the extra details: Marie’s Post Gentle Solace Prayer Shawl Audio Podcast
She created podcasts for a number of great patterns in March and you can take a look at the others available here:
Free Crochet Patterns with Underground Crafter Podcasts
What a beautiful pattern. I’m relatively new to crochet and I went a bit nuts with online shopping during covid lockdowns and bought a whole stack of yarn and hooks of different sizes and textures. This pattern was perfect for my super chunky velure yarn and 15mm hook. The shawl is lovely and cozy and I use it for a bit of warmth and comfort while working from home. Thank you so much.
Hi Christine 🙂 You go around the post of the single crochet stitch. The little bit below the loops that stands vertically. It is small but the post of the stitch is there. Thank you for trying the pattern 🙂 Have a lovely week, Rhondda
Hi I’m Christine from uk and I’m an old seasoned crochet nut. I have made several of your prayer shawls as the first one I made for a family member in a catholic hospice was admired and so I made more and more. However the downloaded copy I used and transferred to uk version was I assume misprinted as the first row is a row of sc or dc uk version so no front or back posts to go round. I changed it to first row dc uk treble so giving me a post to go round. Thanks
I love this pattern can not make this
Thank you!! <3
Hi Laura, that is the one I use. It is pretty good and the best option I’ve found so far. Sometimes the plastic part can squeak on the yarn but most of the big hooks are that plastic material. Just give it a gentle wash in soapy water if it starts to get squeaky – it is usually from the natural oils in our fingers. Hope this helps! Rhondda
I’d love one too =)
Hi rhondda, I was wondering if there is an ergonomic size q hook. Would this one work? https://www.walmart.com/ip/Clover-Crochet-Hook-Amour-Size-P-Q-15mm/46554630?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=372&adid=22222222227034040071&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=87915689928&wl4=pla-122050881888&wl5=9003174&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=111838679&wl11=online&wl12=46554630&wl13=&veh=sem
Hi Karen 🙂 I don’t have one yet but I will add it to my list of crochet videos to make 🙂 All the best, Rhondda
Hi. Is there a video tutorial for this pattern?
Thank you
Hi Cindy,
Have you tried the Homespun with this pattern? I have always struggled with it but wrote this pattern to make it easy to see the stitches – with a larger than recommended hook size. There really isn’t a comparable yarn that will give it the same type of fluffy stitches – you could substitute a similar weight yarn but the overall finished shawl will have a different finished appearance.
All the best,
Rhondda
Could you give me a suggestion for a different yarn? I want to make one but I can not use homespun…can’t seem to tell where the stitches are… Any help would be appreciated!!
Ashley, as I noted in my comments below, I used an size S/19mm hook for mine with this weight (#6)yarn. You will note that the pattern calls for a Q/15.75mm hook, but mine was only a 15mm. I have since made 3 using the regular weight (#5) Homespun & a Q/15mm hook and am currently making the #6 weight using an S hook. So, if you want your shawl to have a more open look, I’d suggest going up in hook size until you get the look you want. However, depending on how many chains you use and rows you make it, you may need more yarn. Good luck!
I’m just starting to make this and it’s beautiful, but mine doesn’t have the open space between stitches like the example. Any advice? I’ve done everything like the pattern says.
Ok, something went wrong. Although I did comment, what’s listed with my name from Oct. 10, 2015 is not my comment. I do love the color but haven’t had a chance to make one yet.
Do you have a video to show the different stitches to make this shawl? Thanks. Looks beautiful and different!
Forgot to say that I love it and that I’m going to wear it to church tomorrow! Perfect!
I finally got one crocheted! I used the coral stripes color and ended up making it longer and using the S hook. I must crochet really tight! Lol! I wonder if using the regular Homespun would work up a little lighter?
This is a beautiful pattern. The color seems so perfect for it. The directions are easy to follow and gave me lots of practice working around posts. What a breeze to work up! Thank you!
I am new at crocheting, so this may be a silly question. If I want a finished measurement of 72 inches minus the edging, so I start with 83 sts? You probably explained it but I didn’t get it. Thanks, Linda
Hi Mary 🙂 I would check to see how wide their arm reach is (arms spread out at the shoulders) and then make a shawl to that length. Here are some possible measurements:
83 sts will give you 72 inches
81 sts will give you 70 inches
71 sts will give you 60 inches
47 sts will give you 40 inches
37 sts will give you 30 inches
23 sts will give you 20 inches
These measurements do not include the 10 ” for the edging 🙂
I’m so happy you like the design Sandra!
I’m so happy you like the pattern for my Gentle Solace Prayer Shawl! Have fun making it!
I just found this pattern on Ravelry and am in love! Can’t wait to crochet this up for the fall weather coming. A special friend gave me a prayer shawl knitted out of the Homespun yarn while my husband was in the hospital fighting cancer, so I understand what it means to receive a Prayer Shawl. That yarn is just so soft and comforting; the perfect yarn for a prayer shawl.
Hi Rhondda! I love this pattern it’s so beautiful! I want to make one for each of my three daughters ages 18, 18 (yes twins) and 19. How many chains would you suggest for my girls who wear size small in shirts?
You know sometimes as a needlecraft artist you find one piece (in this case I have the yarn) and you search often for days, weeks, months or even years and then wham here is the rest of your plan. Guess that is what happened today now I have both parts now I just would like a little cooler weather humm. Mine is mostly grey with flecks of red, black and white it will be one of my none Summer projects. Then again maybe if I make the season might change a little faster.
Hi Patti, I am so pleased you like the pattern! Thank you 🙂
Hi Carol 🙂 Thank you! I really loved the yarn too!
Hi Ann, I used just over 3 balls of the yarn. Here is my yardage:
Approximately 536 yards (490 m)
Hope this helps!
Rhondda
Beautiful pattern. I loved your colors.
how many skeins of yarn did this project take?
Gorgeous…can’t wait to try this!