Prayer Shawl Knitting

By Carolyn Barta

Knit one, purl two—stitch by stitch, a prayer of love takes shape. For those who are ill, facing life’s last journey, or perhaps just lonely and need to know they have not been forgotten, Saint Michael offers a shawl … a prayer … a circle of love.

The “circle” is both spiritual and physical. Through the years, hundreds of parishioners have prayerfully created these beautiful creations of love and hope. Parishioners who knit or crochet meet once a month during the school year to create prayer shawls. Others knit at home to add to the supply. The shawls are available to any parishioner to give to a family member, loved one, friend, or acquaintance who may be homebound, hospitalized, or just in need of a “cuddly” and a prayer.

The attached prayer for the recipient reads: “I wrap this prayer shawl around me like a hug that never ends. I know it is a sign of your love and care for me. Help me to always remember you are here with me every moment—even during sickness or sadness. Remind me that I am a child of God, loved by you and many others. Amen." The tag sewn on says: “Made with Love. Saint Michael – Dallas.”

On Sunday, November 22, at the 9 a.m. service in the Church, a milestone reached by the Prayer Shawl Ministry will be celebrated—the creation of 3,000 shawls. Anyone who has produced one of these shawls any time over the years is invited to come celebrate and be recognized. Parishioners are asked to put the date on their calendars for the special blessing.

Who would have envisioned when volunteers first began knitting shawls that 3,000 would be created?

Certainly not Peggy Carr, who has shepherded this ministry since the outset. “When we started this ministry, who would have thought we would have shawls go to 40 states and four foreign countries?” she recalls.

The shawl ministry dates to 2008, when the Rev. Mark Anschutz, then-rector of Saint Michael, went to an out-of-state Episcopal meeting and returned with information about knitting shawls for the sick and needy. A few Saint Michael knitters had already organized in 2004 to knit baby hats and blankets for a Jerusalem baby hospital. They pivoted…and the shawl ministry took off.

Several hundred knitters have participated over the years. The group now has about 25 active members, some of whom join the circle from 1 – 2:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month. They say it’s a fun way to get to know other parishioners who enjoy the same hobby. Each shawl is blessed before distribution by clergy and congregation members, who touch the shawls on their way to communion.

What keeps Peggy going with the ministry year after year, she says, “are the notes from recipients or their families and the joy of seeing people smile as they put their hands on the shawls to be blessed in the church services.” The responses received over the years from givers and recipients stitch together the story of this ministry. Here are a few examples:

Thank you so much for that beautiful, warm, snuggly shawl. I will treasure it … Please tell the knitting circle thank you for me and that I will think of them and their prayers every time I use it.

The shawl I picked up for a member of our Bible Study was absolutely perfect for her. She loved it the minute she unwrapped it and held it to her face. Her beautiful red hair made her look so lovely as the colors were her favorites. The Lord is in your ministry, and I want to say thank you from my heart.

Thought you and the knitting group would be pleased to know that, when the weather was a little chilly last week, my husband was asking for his prayer shawl specifically (not the blanket). The good feelings continue long after the gift arrived.

Thank you so kindly for including me as a recipient of one of your shawls. It is beautiful and your mission is so inspiring. I know that you must receive blessings in your work as well as sending blessings to so many.

Thank you and your amazing knitters for the gift of the shawl from the heart of Saint Michael to our 6-year-old grandson’s heart. As he faces this difficult year of treatment (cancer), this shawl will be surrounding him. His entire family got into bed and under the shawl together.

My father sent the lap blanket you all made as a gift to me. Not only is it beautiful, the thoughts and prayers that have gone into this lovely gift bring tears to my eyes. I take it to my chemo treatments and keep it close at hand on our family room couch. Your kindness has touched our family.

When the beautiful shawl was wrapped around my shoulders and I was told that you ladies made it for me and prayed over it, I knew I would get well. Words cannot express how happy it made me. I wrapped it around me every day and will always cherish it. I will keep it in my family forever as a reminder that life is about caring and loving one another.

I cannot tell you how much the purple prayer shawl has meant to me. Every time I need an extra hug or encouragement, I just wrap it around me or bury my face in it and feel the love of my parish family.

Peggy recently received this note from one of the group’s knitters, Kris Brockhagen, who wrote, ”I am passionate about this ministry. It is not only for the people who need the ministry, but the shawl may also be left for their loved ones…The beneficiary of the shawl is surrounded by the love that went into making it. When they use it, they are reminded of the support, prayers and love of the entire church community for their restored health.”

Parishioners are invited to contact the Pastoral Care Office to pick up a shawl during the week or from the Main Reception Desk on weekends. And, Peggy says, “We would love to have more knitters, including any new members, even those who can just meet with us occasionally or knit at home.”

**This article was written by Carolyn Barta and was featured in the 2026-27 Winter Archangel.