I'm brainstorming this morning about starting a prayer shawl ministry at our church, and I want to solicit your advice. Does anyone have any experience doing this, and, if so, what are your recommendations? I have been working on a prayer shawl with the Lion Brand Homespun since the last time I was pregnant (I'm embarrassed to admit!), and I am not impressed with the yarn. It is difficult to knit with, and not very soft. Also, knitting a shawl takes such a long time. I'm thinking that the answer may be to make lap quilts instead of shawls, which would also be more suitable for men and boys. Quilts are faster to put together, and they can involve crafters who don't know how to knit or crochet, as there is always cutting and pinning to be done. It could be a great way to get teenage girls involved in the process.
One parish member suggested knit dishcloths, and as we have a lot of African refugees in the neighborhood, these would be useful as they set up households. Also, dish scrubbies, made with yards of tulle knit or crocheted together. And of course baby blankies, made from soft flannel, could be given to new baby arrivals...
Any more item suggestions, or suitable patterns for knitting or sewing lap quilts/blankets?
P.S. Isn't that little tablecloth above lovely? My mother-in-law brought if for me yesterday. It was made by my husband's grandmother when she was a newlywed. It's going in the hope chest for any future daughter:)
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