A while back I posted a blog entitled “A Pocketful of Prayer,” about the tiny, portable versions of prayer shawls that my prayer shawl group makes. I recently had yet another request for the pocket prayer shawl pattern, so I’m posting it here for everyone who would like to make these small but mighty reminders of God’s love:

You will need: fingering weight yarn (one skein will make many, many pocket prayer shawls)
Size 2 or size 3 needles (size 2 is just too small for some knitters. Size 3 needles will produce a slightly larger shawl, but lovely, nonetheless)
Scissors
Tapestry needle
A prayerful heart

Begin with prayer, asking God to bless your work, that it will comfort and encourage the person who will receive it.
This pocket prayer shawl is worked in garter stitch–which simply means you will work every row in the knit stitch.
Cast on 3 stitches
Knit 1, yarn over, knit to the end.
Knit every row this way until you have 35 stitches. The yarn over increases your work by 1 stitch every row, forming an ever-widening triangle. It also makes a pretty, lacy edge on the shawl.
When you have 35 stitches, you can simply bind off and weave in the ends. Thread a tapestry needle with 5 or 6 inches of yarn. Fold down the 2 “arms” of the shawl to meet at the bottom point. Insert the tapestry needle halfway down the front on the right edge, from front to back. Bring the needle up on the left edge. Remove the needle, tie the yarn in little bow and trim the ends as needed.
If you would like to have the rolled collar effect like the one on the shawl pictured below, you can use the I-cord bind off.

I-cord bind off: At the end of the last row, cast on 3 stitches. Knit 2, then slip 1 stitch to the right-hand needle. Knit 1, then pull the slipped stitch over the knit stitch. There are 3 stitches on the right-hand needle. Transfer these 3 stitches back onto the left-hand needle. When you have the last 3 stitches on the left-hand needle, slip 1 stitch to the right-hand needle, knit 2 together, then pull the slipped stitch over the knit 2 together. Cut the yarn, leaving enough of a tail to weave in, and pull the end through as in a regular bind off.
Help is at your fingertips if you need a visual tutorial. Simply Google “I-Cord Bind Off” and you will find many YouTube videos on this technique.

There it is, the pocket prayer shawl. May you have many happy hours of knitting and prayer as you make them!