This new virus seems to be far-reaching, not only as it spreads across the world, but as trying to control its spread reaches into our lives. We’ve been told that the best thing most of us can do is stay home. In staying home, we have a choice to make. Do we let fear, anxiety, and uncertainty overwhelm us OR do we take up our needles and hooks and yarn to calm our hearts and pray our way through this? I vote for knitting and praying. I’ve heard that worry is like a rocking chair–it gives you something to do, but it doesn’t get you anywhere. The great thing about knitting and crocheting prayer shawls is that it gives us something productive to do with our hands while we turn our worries into prayers. The knitting will calm us and the prayers will not only strengthen our hearts, but reach out into the world with God’s mighty love and power.

While knitting is something we most often do in the comfort of our own living rooms, it is also a social activity for many of us. I meet with two prayer shawl groups (one at a church and the other at a local coffee shop), teach beginning knitting at a local yarn shop on Monday evenings, and am a regular at Thursday Knit Night at Ewe2 Yarn. Covid-19 has, of course, thrown a monkey wrench into meeting up with my knitting friends. Our lively and well-attended Knit Nights have been suspended for the time being, as have knitting lessons and both prayer shawl group meetings.

Doing things we love and enjoy with the people we love and enjoy is important for our mental and emotional health. In this time of social distancing, it’s more important than ever to stay connected. We can call and text, but technology has given us even more tools to help with this. At the suggestion of one of our members, our coffee shop group tackled and conquered the online meeting application, Zoom this past Friday. There was a learning curve for some of us (especially me!) but I can’t tell you how wonderful it was to be able to see each other, chat, and show each other our work. However you do it, keep in touch, cheer each other up, and cheer each other on!

Lastly, I’m concerned about the precautions we have to take around others. No handshakes, no hugging, no physical contact with people outside of our immediate households. These precautions can keep us safe physically, but can be hard on us mentally and emotionally, especially for those who live alone. Humans beings need physical touch. I think prayer shawls can help with this, too. We make them with love and prayer so that a person can wrap him or herself in a prayer shawl and sense the love and care of God. We tell others they are a hug from God. Now, more than ever, is the time to wrap ourselves in our prayer shawls to enjoy the encouraging solace of His presence.