Looking for the perfect crochet prayer shawl pattern to make for someone you care about? Find the perfect list of free patterns here!
A handmade shawl is like a hug you can wear. It is such a beautiful thing to make and to receive. Take it one step further with some mindfulness and intention.
What is a prayer shawl?
It’s whatever you want it to be! In its simplest form, it is keeping the recipient in your thoughts and prayers while you’re making the shawl. You can make a prayer shawl to honor a special occasion like a birthday or anniversary. You can make a prayer shawl to offer comfort in a time of struggle like a recent death or disease diagnosis. There’s no wrong way to crochet a prayer shawl!
So, is it like religion? Well, it doesn’t have to be. You can pray for the person. Or you can just think about them while you make the shawl. You can focus on a specific mantra or poem that holds some significance to you. Or you can try to capture a specific feeling or mood – like happiness, healing, comfort, guidance, graduation, and more. It’s the thought that counts – literally!
How Do You Crochet a Prayer Shawl?
Any crochet pattern can be used as a free crochet prayer shawl pattern. There’s no set color, shape or stitch. A free crochet prayer shawl pattern can be monochrome or multicolored, lacey or solid, triangle or rectangle. It’s all up to you! Check out this curated list of 25 free crochet prayer shawl patterns and prepare to get inspired, and see my featured video for a crochet shawl pattern you’ll love.
Featured Video for Crocheted Prayer Shawl
I created this triangle shawl and it can easily be a prayer shawl! It only uses one skein of Lion Brand Mandala and makes for a wonderful gift. Easy enough for beginners, too!
25 Free Crochet Prayer Shawl Patterns
Remember to grab that fancy fingering yarn you’ve been saving for a rainy day and make this beautiful shawl! The design is a celebration of the double crochet stitch and all its variations - back post, front post, back loops only, and shell stitches made from double crochets. You can follow along with the written or video tutorial.
Designer: Wilmade
Yarn: Bobbelschmiede-Lenany Bobbel 4fädig (Light Fingering Weight #0)
You’ll be as fancy as a French patisserie window in this elegant triangle shawl. This free crochet prayer shawl pattern is worked on the bias. The unique shape is somewhere between a triangle and a crescent - with longer tapered sides that cascade beautifully. The deceptively simple design only calls for double crochet and chain stitches.
Designer: Yarnandy
Yarn: Scheepjes Whirl (Fingering Weight #1)
Change up the traditional granny stripe by working on the bias to create an easy crochet prayer shawl. The elongated parallelogram shape of this shawl offers the coverage of a rectangular shawl with the long hanging tails of a triangle shawl, making it the best of both worlds! Plus, this free crochet prayer shawl pattern is a total stash buster.
Designer: Caleisha Ryan
Yarn: (Double-Stranded Fingering Weight #1 = DK Weight #3)
Follow along with the 6-part crochet for this secret Autumn Garden shawl pattern and you won’t be disappointed. Each block of color, imbued with the amazing grace of unique stitchwork, has its own character. What a neat way to learn new crochet stitches! The designer even has different color combination recommendations for your inspiration in the first part of the CAL.
Designer: In the Yarn Garden
Yarn: Järbo Llama Silk ( Weight # )
A lightweight and lacey shawl is just the thing for spring and cool summer mornings and evenings. This deceptively simple design for this free crochet prayer shawl pattern only uses double crochet and treble crochet stitches. Top It really is amazing what you can make with just one skein of yarn.
Designer: Carmen Heffernan Annie Design Crochet
Yarn: My Crochet Makes Hand Dyed Yarn (Fingering Weight #1)
This design, a free crochet shawl granny pattern, combines modern design with a rustic color palette for a truly timeless effect. If you know how to make a traditional granny square, then this half-granny square design should be a piece of cake. The pattern calls for single, double, and treble crochet stitches worked in 5 rotating colors.
Designer: Churchmouse Yarns and Teas
Yarn: Brooklyn Tweed Loft (Fingering Weight #1)
Start with a basic free crochet prayer shawl pattern made with moss stitch and v-stitches. The pattern is relaxing, repetitive, and perfect for Netflix bingeing. Right about when you start to lose steam on the project, the design shakes things up with a one-sided extension that turns the shawl into a trapezoid shape. One of the Knitting techniques used in this project adds a unique touch to the overall design.
Designer: Every Trick on the Hook
Yarn: Scheepjes Whirl (DK Weight #3)
The gangs all here - single, half double, double, and treble crochet stitches. That’s right, you can make this colorful and attractive crochet shawl using just basic crochet stitches. Plus, you only need one skein of yarn! Make your life easier by choosing a color-changing cake yarn for your crochet shawls, so you don’t have to worry about changing colors or weaving in extra ends.
Designer: Tine Sommer Hansen for Hobbii
Yarn: Color Kings Cotton Bomb (Sport Weight #3)
The unique silhouette of this lovely free crochet prayer shawl pattern is achieved through its asymmetrical design. The beginner-friendly stitchwork features solid half double crochet rows accented with filet crochet style rows of double crochet and chain stitches. May this shawl bring comfort and warmth to its wearer.
Designer: Stitch with Passion
Yarn: Lion Brand Mandala (DK Weight #3)
The easy prayer shawl pattern features a wide and shallow triangle shape that sits nicely on the shoulders and has enough length to wrap all the way around. This beginner-friendly design utilizes all basic stitches, making it ideal for those new to crocheting. The pattern is available in both US and UK crochet terminology, ensuring accessibility for a wider audience. Additionally, there is a video tutorial available for this pretty and free crochet prayer shawl pattern, offering visual guidance for an easier crafting experience.
Designer: Carmen Heffernan for Annie Design Crochet
Yarn: Audine Wools Halo (DK Weight #3)
Practice your Tunisian crochet skills with this easy crochet prayer shawl pattern. This beautiful boho shawl is perfect for beginners, allowing you to use Tunisian simple stitch decreases and yarn overs to create its interesting surface. Despite its intricate appearance, the design is very approachable, and it even includes a video tutorial to guide you through the process.
Designer: TLYC Blog
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft Solids (Aran Weight #4)
This free crochet prayer shawl pattern is great for having you hooked from start to finish. The design features uneven striping and simple lacework, but it only uses half double crochet and chain stitches. It’s modern, it’s striking, and it’s the perfect mix of interesting and easy!
Designer: Two of Wands
Yarn: Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton (Worsted Weight #4)
Beautiful ripples of treble and double treble stitches create the unique shape of this free crochet prayer shawl design. The Ocean of Love Wrap is like a hug you can wear! Make it easy for yourself and grab a color-changing yarn for this one.
Designer: Buttonnose Crochet
Yarn: Red Heart Boutique Unforgettable (Worsted Weight #4)
Improve your crochet skills and learn new stitches with the elegant Tea Flower wrap, also known as the prayer shawl. The main part of this shawl is relatively easy and uses only single, double, and treble crochet stitches. The real fun begins when you get to the edging. Then you will learn how to make these beautiful rows of flowers!
Designer: Mijo Crochet
Yarn: Scheepjes Whirl (Fingering Weight #1)
Say hello to easy style with these shawl crochet patterns! Go from one point to the other using just single, half-double, and double crochet stitches. Then wrap things up with a gorgeous decorative wave border. This crescent-shaped wrap, a highlight among shawl crochet patterns, is an absolute must-make!
Designer: Wilmade
Yarn: Lion Brand Beautiful You (Sport Weight #3)
The receiver of this impressive shawl gift will be as pretty as a picture when they’re all wrapped up in lace. A monochrome design is easy to match your outfit with. Pick the receiver’s favorite color or a color that holds some other significance (think chakras or mood rings). The design calls for a half treble stitch with a picot scallop edging. For those interested in creating this stunning piece themselves, a shawl crochet tutorial can guide you through each step of the process, ensuring a beautifully crafted result.
Designer: Michele DuNaier for WeCrochet
Yarn: Knit Picks Palette (Fingering Weight #1)
I know this looks really tricky (not to mention absolutely gorgeous!) but believe me when I say that it’s actually really simple. You’ll be going up and down the list of basic crochet stitches from short to tall and back to short to create the stunning wave design in this prayer shawl crochet tutorial.
Video, rectangle, shell edging,
Designer: Rich Textures Crochet
Yarn: Lion Brand Mandala Tweed (Worsted Weight #4)
This color block wrap is great for catching your eye with its bright colors and easy lace stitchwork. The free crochet prayer shawl pattern is worked on the bias and calls for double crochet, v-stitches, and picot stitches. You can learn how to crochet this beginner-friendly design from the video or the written tutorial. Use mini skeins or scrap yarn.
Designer: TLYC Blog
Yarn: Lorna’s Laces String Quartet (Fingering Weight #1)
The filet crochet technique, ideal for creating images by playing with negative space, is like painting with a crochet hook! This beautiful and free crochet prayer shawl pattern is a lovely introduction to the technique and it’s not too tricky. You’ll be using double crochet and chain stitches and learning how to read a filet crochet chart.
Designer: Torun Johansson
Yarn: Scheepjes Whirl (Fingering Weight #1)
When you need to make a gift quickly, or you want to make multiples for a prayer shawl ministry, a sweet and short crochet shawlette is the fantastic way to go. This design is worked from side to side using single, half-double, and double crochet stitches.
Designer: Lilla Bjorn’s Crochet World
Yarn: Scheepjes Stone Washed (Sport Weight #3)
Warm colors like bold reds and bright pink add interest to any outfit. Stand out from the crowd with this beautiful self-edging shawl. The free crochet prayer shawl pattern uses double crochet, treble crochet, shell, and v-stitches. You will get the allover lace design that is so fun and flirty - and super lightweight!
Designer: Carmen Heffernan for Annie Design Crochet
Yarn: Schoppel-Wolle Zauberball (Fingering Weight #1)
Here’s another stunning monochrome shawl design that proves that basic doesn’t mean boring. Using just single crochet and double crochet stitches, you can recreate this stunning free easy prayer shawl crochet pattern for yourself. The rectangle shape is worked width-wise and there’s no increasing or decreasing.
Designer: Truly Crochet
Yarn: Cascade Yarns ® Cascade 220® (Worsted Weight #4)
Capture that vintage charm with the flamboyant crochet fan stitch. Instructions include adding cluster and picot stitches to the mix, creating something really special. Anyone would be ecstatic to receive such a beautiful piece. This is another great example of amazing and free crochet prayer shawl patterns!
Designer: Girlie’s Crochet
Yarn: Red Heart Baby TLC Solids (DK Weight #3)
You can break down this design into bite-size pieces. Crochet accessories and blankets that are made from individual motifs are great for crocheting on the go and won’t weigh you down on warm days. This design, perfect for learning how to crochet a prayer shawl, calls for single, double, and treble crochet stitches along with cluster stitches.
Designer: Pippin Poppycock
Yarn: Stylecraft Classique Cotton (Fingering Weight #1)
Bulky weight yarn is your best friend when you need to complete a crochet project in a jiffy. The solid construction of this rectangular shawl is perfect for someone who’s always cold. The stitchwork of this free crochet prayer shawl pattern uses an interesting combination of single and double crochet stitches in its prayer shawl crochet patterns.
Designer: Designs by KN
Yarn:Loops & Threads Impeccable (Bulky Weight #5)
Create a cozy prayer shawl crochet pattern with this Easy Crochet Shawl design! The yarn effortlessly adds a splash of color, bringing warmth and comfort to your creation. All you need to do is focus on mastering mostly double crochet stitches and let the yarn do the rest of the magic for you.
Designer: Love.Life.Yarn
Yarn: Sugarwheel Cotton (DK #3)
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Common Questions about Prayer Shawls
Any crochet pattern can be used as a crochet prayer shawl pattern. There’s no set color, shape or stitch. A crochet prayer shawl pattern can be monochrome or multicolored, lacey or solid, triangle or rectangle. It’s all up to you! The main difference between a regular crochet shawl and a prayer shawl is that the person making the shawl prayed or meditated over it and it was made for a specific purpose.
If you are using a skein with good yardage, sometimes one skein is all that is needed to crochet a prayer shawl, however the typical amount of yarn needed is between 3 to 4 skeins. It also depends upon how large you plan on making your shawl.
A prayer shawl is worn like a regular shawl, the difference is that you are keeping the recipient in your thoughts and prayers while you’re making the shawl. You can make a prayer shawl to honor a special occasion like a birthday or anniversary. You can make a prayer shawl to offer comfort in a time of struggle like a recent death or disease diagnosis. There’s no wrong way to crochet a prayer shawl!
Since a prayer shawl can be made from any crochet shawl pattern, there is no right or wrong size to make a prayer shawl as long as the recipient can wear it and be wrapped in the love and prayer that was poured into the making of the shawl. Typically, a shawl is around the width of the recipient’s wing span (length from tip of one hand to the tip of the other) but it can also be much longer than that if desired.
Crocheted prayer shawls are great both for those going through tough times as well as those going through happy times (like a wedding!). These special projects are wonderful for both the crocheter and their intended recipient. Crochet itself is so meditative and has a wonderful effect on mental health, and thinking positive thoughts all while working your stitches is amazingly therapeutic.
So, if you don’t know how to help someone while they are struggling (or don’t know what to give for a happy occassion), try making a prayer shawl. Let the recipient know that you have prayed over or meditation on positive thoughts while making your shawl.
Sometimes a certain free crochet prayer shawl pattern will catch your eye and make you think of someone. Each design has its own unique personality and flair. The selection process of a crochet prayer shawl is almost as fun as making the shawl itself. I’m curious, which patterns caught your eye? Did any of these amazing free crochet prayer shawl patterns make you think of someone specific in your life? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Have you made a crochet prayer shawl before? What did it look like? Who was it for? Please feel free to share the details in the comments to inspire other crafters.
I look forward to seeing you all again next week for another free crochet pattern round-up. I hope that you all have as much fun reading these posts as I do writing them! Do make sure and click follow so you can get notified when the next post is live.
Wait, one more thing! Don’t forget to save this page to your Pinterest board for crochet or add a bookmark in your browser. This is one free crochet pattern round-up that you will definitely be using again and again.
Happy Crocheting!
Amanda
I have belonged to a prayer shawl makers group at our church for a few years. The knit/crochet shawls that group makes can be brought to someone at times of celebration or at times they need comfort. Some of the shawls are sent Far North, to warm those in very cold climates. I’ll be saving the links you have gathered here… Some real beauties in your collection!
So glad you found some you liked Cathy! 🙂
Hi Amanda! Thank you for gathering so many lovely shawls together in one spot. I did download one to work on after I finish the one I’m working on in Lion Brand’s Comfy Cotton Blend yarn. It’s really nice yarn to work with.
I made a prayer shawl for my dad when he was dying of colon cancer. I grew up on a farm and my dad lived there until he died, so I found some yarn that had all the colors of a ripe field of oats–from tan to yellow to gold to offwhite–as the wind would blow through the field and ripple the plants. The yarn reminded me of him, and he would use it to keep warm whenever he needed it. I’ve made other prayer shawls, but that one still makes me tear up every time I see it.
Hi,
Thank you for the beautiful patterns. I lead the prayer shawl group at my church and was going to share this with my ladies but I clicked on #9 (Lean on Me) and it took me to a Ravelry page and is not free. Is there another link?
Thank you!
It looks like the designer changed that to a paid pattern and I can’t find another link. It definitely was free, there are even comments on the project like “thank you for the free pattern”. I’ll have to find another free shawl to take its place.
our church makes prayer shawls for both men and women. Most of the prayer shawls I see on line are for women. it would be nice to see some prayer shawls that are more masculine.
The Prayer shawls I make for men are rectangular. I usually use a v-stitch pattern of some kind because most men seem to like it. I have been told it looks rustic or homey.
I never thought about that! Making prayer shawls for men like that is a wonderful idea. I’m sure they enjoy the rectangular shawls and v-stitches are always lovely. Thanks for sharing Linda 🙂