Got knitting needles?

CVMC’s shawl ministry knits shawls that are used to comfort people at the hospital.

Berlin, Vt – Central Vermont Medical Center’s Spiritual Care Coordinator Carolyn Herz wants to remind knitters about CVMC’s shawl ministry.  Shawls are used to comfort people at the hospital in times of illness and stress. 

For those of you in need of a knitting project, the directions are below.  People who choose to donate wool to make the shawl should use a worsted weight synthetic.  Lion Brand Homespun is a nice cozy one. Yarn is also available from the interfaith chaplain’s office. Completed shawls should be dropped off at CVMC’s front desk at the hospital.

Prayer Shawl Knitting Directions

The following original pattern is by Victoria A. Cole-Gallo and Janet Bristow.

Supplies

• Size 11 or 13 needles
• 3 skeins Lion Brand Homespun yarn (about 600 yards) or synthetic yarn
• 1 medium-sized crochet hook for fringe

Directions

1. Set aside enough yarn to make the fringe, about 30 yards.
2. Cast on 57 or 63 stitches.
3. Knit 3, purl 3 until the yarn is finished or the shawl is desired length. The shawl is meant to be large and cozy, about 6 feet or finger tip to finger tip.
4. Each row begins with knit 3.

Fringe

Cut fringe 8 to 10 inches per strand, or desired length, by wrapping the yarn around a piece of cardboard that is 4 or 5 inches wide (a small book can be used as well). Put 2 pieces of fringe together, fold them in half and loop them through every 3 stitches on both ends of the shawl. (It is easier to use a crochet hook to loop the fringe through the stitches.) Knot the end of each piece of fringe.