10+ FREE Crochet Prayer Shawls Patterns
Creating a prayer shawl is a beautiful way to share your love with someone else, even when you can’t be with them. Wether you are making the shawl for a troubling time or a time to celebrate, it gives comfort, expresses care, and provides a tangible hug to the recipient. Here are 10 FREE Crochet Prayer Shawl Patterns that you can make and share with those that need it.
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What is a Prayer Shawl?
Prayer shawl, peace shawl, comfort shawl. Although there are many names for this item, the meaning is all the same. At its root, crochet prayers shawls are wearable hugs. They provide a cozy wrap that you make with pure intention and share with someone you’ve had in mind as you crafted the piece.
Typically a prayer shawl is made for someone that is going through a tough time. However, sometimes people crochet prayer shawls to recognize a really happy time such as a birth or wedding. We make prayer shawls for people we know and love to show that we are thinking about them and supporting them through whatever they are dealing with. And in some cases, prayer shawls are charity crochet items gifted to those we don’t know but whose plight about which we are concerned.
How to Crochet a Prayer Shawl
You can use any crochet shawl pattern to make a prayer shawl. It’s not a specific design, although it works best with meditative, repetitive stitch patterns that allow you to get into the flow of crafting. We’ve provided ten free crochet prayer shawl patterns below to get you started.
What makes it a prayer shawl, though, is really your intention as you craft. While you are working on your shawl, or wrap, you will think about the person that it is going to. Maybe you say a prayer. But you don’t have to be religious to crochet prayer shawls. You can also repeat a meaningful song lyric, rehearse a mantra in your mind, or simply put loving words and feelings into each stitch. The idea is that you energetically infuse the piece with that intention and the wearer can feel it upon receiving the gift.
Put as much love and care as possible into each stitch. Then wrap the shawl up nicely to present it to the recipient. You might also want to include a little card that shares the prayer, mantra, or song lyrics that you thought of while making the prayer shawl.
Benefits of Prayer Shawls
Making a prayer shawl is beneficial for both the maker and the recipient.
The recipient, of course, feels the love of the gift. They know that you took some time out to make something unique just for them. If you present it to them with the sentiment, they’ll understand that this is a wearable hug that you’ve put all of your love into. That is healing, whether the maker and recipient are best friends or strangers.
But it’s also beneficial for the maker. Here are some of the reasons why:
- In the face of challenging times, we often don’t know how to help those that we love. Crochet prayer shawls can help ease that feeling of helplessness.
- As we repeat the mantra or prayer that we’re sharing with others, we feel it ourselves. It’s a good reminder of the things that matter to us.
- Crochet is a healing craft. It is soothing, meditative, and helps combat a variety of mental and physical health conditions.
- Intentional crochet gives you purpose, focus, and a sense that what you are doing is truly meaningful.
10+ FREE Crochet Prayer Shawl Patterns
- Spring Shells Shawl by Jessie at Home
- Honeycomb Shawl by Ashley Leither
- Primrose and Proper Easy Triangle Shawl by Kirsten Holloway Designs
- Rivers Shawl by Rich Textures Crochet
- Misty River Shawl by Same Di Namics
- Marciana Lace Prayer Shawl by The Underground Crafter
- Reversible C2C Prayer Rap Cardigan by Loopingly Made
- Blessings Ombre Shawl by Posh Pooch Designs
- Venus Shell Easy Crochet Shawl by Salty Pearl Crochet
- Gentle Solace Prayer Shawl by Oombawka Designs
- Sidewalk Shawl by Kimberly McAlindin
- Tango Shawl by Moogly
- Durable Friendship Shawl by Wilmade
You Might Also Like:
As mentioned, you can use any crochet shawl pattern tomato a prayer shawl. (Or for that matter, you could knit a prayer shawl instead.) Here are ten Marly Bird crochet shawl patterns that are also perfect for making prayer shawls:
Marly Bird FREE Crochet Shawl Patterns
- Bluebonnet Lace Shawl
- Enchanted Crochet Mosaic Rectangular Shawl
- Chevron Waves Lace Wrap
- Lime Verbena Shawl
- No Stopping Me Now Shawl
- One Ball Crochet Shawl
- Rainbow Sprinkles Crescent Shawl
- Stellar Stripes Crochet Shawl
- Lucky Stripes Shawl
- Super Simple Shawl
- Throw me a Kiss Shawl
Be sure to also check out our roundup of 10 free crochet and knit spring shawl patterns. And learn how to crochet pocket shawls.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a crochet prayer shawl?
A crochet prayer shawl is a shawl made with intention and care for someone who needs comfort, healing, or support. As the maker stitches, they hold the recipient in their thoughts, prayers, or good wishes. The finished shawl becomes a tangible reminder that someone is loved and cared for. They’re given to people going through illness, grief, difficult life transitions, or anyone who needs a warm, comforting hug they can wear whenever they need it.
What crochet stitches work best for prayer shawls?
Simple, repetitive stitches are ideal because they allow you to focus on your intentions rather than counting complex stitch patterns. Single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet, and simple shell stitches are all popular choices. Many prayer shawl groups traditionally use three-stitch multiples (like shells of 3) as a meaningful structural element. The stitch should feel meditative and natural in your hands… something you can work without constantly checking the pattern.
What size should a prayer shawl be?
Most prayer shawls are sized to drape comfortably around an adult’s shoulders… typically 20 to 30 inches wide and 60 to 72 inches long for a rectangular shawl, or a generous wingspan for a triangular one. The goal is for the recipient to be able to wrap it around themselves and feel enveloped. Triangular shawls tend to be the most universally flattering shape for this purpose. Don’t stress the exact measurements too much… a love-made shawl is beautiful in any size.
What yarn is best for a crochet prayer shawl?
Choose something that feels gentle and comforting against the skin. Soft acrylic in worsted weight is practical because it’s machine washable (very important for someone who might be ill or going through a hard time). Wool blends feel luxurious and warm. For a prayer shawl gifted to a cancer patient, avoid anything scratchy as the skin can become sensitive during treatment. Worsted weight in a soft, easy-care fiber is almost always the right choice.
Are crochet prayer shawls only for religious purposes?
Not at all! While prayer shawls have roots in spiritual and religious communities, the idea has expanded far beyond that. Any handmade shawl made with love and given to someone who needs comfort is a “comfort shawl” regardless of religious context. The intention behind the stitching is what makes it meaningful… whether that’s prayer, meditation, good wishes, or simply thinking “I love this person and I want them to feel better.” The name is just the tradition… the love is what matters.
Categories: Crochet, Free Patterns, Round Ups
