Let’s talk about prayer shawl knitting patterns. Have you heard of prayer shawls before? Do you know what they are? Today we’re going to dive deep into the wonderful world of intentional, mindful knitting. Let’s dig in!
Ok, so what is a prayer shawl? Prayer shawls are handmade – usually knit or crochet. The process of the making itself is what distinguishes a prayer shawl from any old shawl. As you work on one of these beautiful prayer shawl knitting patterns, you will be using your hands and also your mind. Some people say an actual prayer as they knit (hence the name) but there are some other ways to do it too.
What if you don’t pray? That’s ok too! You can imbue your intention into your stitches in another way. Some people choose to focus on a special song that has great meaning for them or a favorite poem. Affirmations and mantras are also popular choices. You could even knit a prayer shawl with the simple intention of a single word like “love” or “health”.
The point is that you focus on the recipient as you create the shawl. You don’t have to know the recipient very well. In fact, they could be a total stranger! There are whole charitable organizations devoted to creating prayer shawls for folks in nursing homes or folks who have mental disorders like alzheimers.
Prayer shawl patterns can be any shape – rectangle, triangle, crescent – and they can be any size. There is no set stitch pattern or color selection. You can make them as simple or as complicated as you like, so even beginner knitters can get in on the prayer shawl knitting fun.
Really, any shawl pattern can be used as a prayer shawl knitting pattern when you add that special ingredient of intention. To that end, we’ve gathered together a thoughtful selection of free knitting patterns to inspire you and get you started on your journey of prayer shawl knitting patterns. Scroll down and see them for yourself!
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Free Prayer Shawl Patterns
Prayer Shawl
Let’s start off with a beginner level rectangle shawl that calls for only knit and purl stitches. There’s no shaping and no special stitches, so it really is an excellent project to choose if this is your first time knitting a shawl. It’s also a good choice for more experienced knitters who are craving a nice and relaxing project.
Designer: Lion Brand Yarn
Yarn: Lion Brand Nature’s Choice Organic Cotton (Aran Weight #4)
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Alix’s Prayer Shawl
Alix’s Prayer Shawl looks like it’s made up of individual square motifs but it’s actually knit all as one piece starting from the center back and radiating outwards. The eye-catching eyelet lace gives this triangle shawl its incredible drape and keeps things lightweight and breezy – perfect for layering on amidst unpredictable spring weather.
Designer: Debbie Macomber
Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock Lightweight (Fingering Weight #1)
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Textured Triangle Shawl
I’m quite partial to triangle shaped prayer shawl knitting patterns, because you don’t have to cast on very many stitches. Starting from the center of the back, you add a few stitches each row to grow your triangle shape. The Textured Triangle Shawl pattern calls for knit and purl stitches along with easy increases in the form of knit front backs.
Designer: Diane Moyer for Yarnspirations
Yarn: Red Heart Soft Essentials Solids (Bulky Weight #5)
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Aunt Jane’s Prayer Shawl
A rectangular shawl made up entirely of garter stitch might put you to sleep. Aunt Jane’s Prayer Shawl strikes a nice balance between easy and interesting with the addition of bold cable work on either side. It’s just complex enough to stretch your brain a bit without being so intricate that you get bogged down in the details.
Designer: Persnickety Patterns
Yarn: Bernat Alpaca (Bulky Weight #5)
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Sing the Song Prayer Shawl
The Sing the Song Prayer Shawl pattern was designed by a charitable organization that provides prayer shawls to folks who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. It works up quickly using two strands of worsted weight yarn held together. You’ll be using knit and purl stitches along with knit stitches worked through the back loop.
Designer: Alice’s Embrace
Yarn: Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice (Worsted Weight #4)
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Scalloped Prayer Shawl
It’s not often that you see a lace design paired with a bulky weight yarn, but the Scalloped Prayer Shawl pulls off the combination effortlessly. And since both of these things tend to save time spent knitting, you should be done with this knit prayer shawl in no time at all!
Designer: Cascade Yarns Design Team
Yarn: Cascade Yarns ® Cherub Chunky (Bulky Weight #5)
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Sugar Pie Prayer Shawl
The Sugar Pie prayer shawl could have been named as such because it’s easy as pie – all you need to know is how to knit and purl. There’s no tricky shaping or fancy stitches. Even beginner knitters can finish in a reasonable amount of time thanks to the quick thickness of the worsted weight yarn held doubled.
Designer: Alice’s Embrace
Yarn: Cascade Yarns ® Pacific® Solids (Worsted Weight #4)
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St. Martin Prayer Shawl
The St. Martin Prayer Shawl boasts a pretty woven lattice stitch pattern that delivers texture without bulkiness or stiffness. The pattern calls for only knit and purl stitches, so it’s much easier than it looks. You can work the border simultaneously or do it at the end by picking up stitches along the edges.
Designer: Kerstin Geiger
Yarn: Knit Picks Swish DK (DK Weight #3)
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Chakra Prayer Shawl
The Chakra Prayer Shawl pattern is chock full of symbolism – which makes it the perfect project for mindful knitting. Everything from the color selection down to the stitch pattern was carefully selected. The 7×1 rib stitch pattern is easy to memorize and it gives the project pleasing vertical lines.
Designer: Sarah Drabant
Yarn: Lily Sugar’n Cream Solids & Denim (Worsted Weight #4)
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Graffiti Prayer Shawl
A pretty patterned yarn gives this summery shawl its multicolor appearance. The easy 4 row repeat is quick to commit to memory and it strikes a nice balance between solid and lace. Special stitches include slip slip knits and knit 2 togethers. It would be a great project for a long road trip!
Designer: Laurie Beardsley
Yarn: Cascade Yarns ® Cherub Aran Multis (Aran Weight #4)
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Prayer Shawl
Cake yarns make knitting multicolor projects so much easier, since you don’t have to worry about changing colors yourself or weaving in extra ends. This knit prayer shawl pattern calls for a modified seed stitch pattern which creates beautiful vertical lines running up the length of the knitted shawl.
Designer: Plymouth Yarn Design Studio
Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Hot Cakes (Worsted Weight #4)
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3 Skein Eyelet Stitch Prayer Shawl
If you are using these prayer shawl knitting patterns to donate to charity, then you are sure to appreciate how fast this design works up with super bulky weight yarn. The pattern calls for garter stitch and easy eyelet lace. It even includes a little prayer for you to recite when you work on the shawl.
Designer: Louis Chicquette
Yarn: Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick (Super Bulky Weight #6)
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Lacy Comfort Prayer Shawl
I love a bit of lace in my prayer shawl knitting patterns because it really adds to the fanciness factor. It also makes the shawl easier to wear all year round. Because no one wants to wear a solid shawl made with bulky weight yarn in the middle of summer – unless of course it has loads of beautiful, breathable lacework.
Designer: Susie Bonell
Yarn: Cascade Yarns ® Pacific® Chunky (Bulky Weight #5)
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Letters to Mom Prayer Shawl
The Letters to Mom Prayer Shawl is knit double stranded with worsted weight yarn. Simple 4 stitch cables form a network of diagonal ridges. It is named after the stitch pattern which reminded the designer of the Juliet Wall in Verona where people tuck love letters into the little nooks and crannies.
Designer: Alice’s Embrace
Yarn: Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice (Worsted Weight #4)
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Stockinette & Lace Prayer Shawl
I love the versatility of shawls that have both generous width and generous length. You can wear them draped over your shoulders or you can wrap them around your neck like a scarf. This design features a two row repeat and it involves slipping stitches, knitting 3 stitches together, and yarn overs.
Designer: Louis Chicquette
Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Encore Worsted Solids & Heathers (Worsted Weight #4)
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Lavender Haze Prayer Shawl
In the Lavender Haze Prayer Shawl pattern, 3 similar shades of DK yarn are held together and swapped out every 10 rows to create a subtle ombre effect. The lace stitchwork is a one row repeat that’s perfect for tv knitting. You’ll be using knit stitches, purl stitches, and yarn overs for this design.
Designer: Shannon Dunbabin for Cascade Yarns
Yarn: Cascade Yarns ® Cherub DK (DK Weight #3)
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Chevron Eyelet Prayer Shawl
This pretty multicolor prayer shawl pattern calls for a self striping yarn with long color changes. When you look at the shawl from the back, the chevron stitches appear to radiate outwards from the center. This is because the shawl is knit from the center starting with a provisional cast on. You knit one half and then you go back to your cast on and knit the other half.
Designer: Ethel Weinberg
Yarn: Cascade Yarns ® Cherub Aran Wave (Aran Weight #4)
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Mara Shawl
The classic triangle shawl design is worked in garter stitch from the center out. My favorite aspect of this design is the pleated edging because it is such a refreshing change of pace from more commonly seen edgings. The simplicity of the design really allows the subtle color transitions of the variegated yarn to shine through.
Designer: MadelineTosh
Yarn: madelinetosh Tosh DK (DK Weight #3)
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No-Fuss Shade-Loving Shawl
Here’s another one of our free prayer shawl knitting patterns in the traditional triangle shape. Simple stockinette sections showcase the colors of the yarn beautifully, while the lace bits liven things up and help keep the shawl lightweight so it can be enjoyed year round. Classics are classic for a reason, after all!
Designer: Stitchnerd Designs
Yarn: Schachenmayr SMC Batiko Duetto (Super Bulky Weight #6)
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Norwood Shawl
The elusive crescent shaped shawl is a rare beauty with a graceful silhouette. This design calls for garter stitch with an applied lace border that is knit sideways after you’re done knitting the main bit of the shawl. The solid color and simple body of the shawl really allow the lacework to shine.
Designer: LuluKnitts
Yarn: Vinnis Colours Serina (Sport Weight #3)
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Kathy Kelly Cabled Capelet
Think outside the traditional box of prayer shawl knitting patterns and make a capelet instead. It serves the same purpose but offers a new silhouette and a close fit around the neck. I also think that capelets are a little easier to secure to make them stay put. Folks are sure to admire the sections of cable stitch lattice that radiate outwards from the center.
Designer: Prayer Shawl Ministries
Yarn: Lion Brand Fishermen’s Wool (Aran Weight #4)
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Edith Shawl
Let’s get a little botanical with the Edith Shawl. The repeating leaf motifs in the lace design mesh beautifully with the springy green color the designer selected. While not a great pick for newbie knitters, you don’t need to be a knitting genius to get the rhythm of the lacework down. It’s really not as tricky as it looks.
Designer: Lion Brand Yarn
Yarn: Lion Brand Nature’s Choice Organic Cotton (Aran Weight #4)
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Hugs & Prayers Knit Shawl
Here’s another intermediate level pattern for a pretty prayer shawl with a nice mix of solid and lace stitchwork. It’s a rectangular shaped shawl and the stitchwork naturally creates a lovely scalloped edge. You can devote all of your attention to the 6 row repeat, since the recommended yarn will do all of the color changing for you.
Designer: Susie Bonell for Cascade Yarns
Yarn: Cascade Yarns ® Big Wheel (Aran Weight #4)
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High Fructose Shawl
The sample for the High Fructose Shawl is knit in one of my favorite shades of orange. It’s just so bright and summery! The free knitting pattern is available in both written and charted formats. Special stitches include slip slip knits and central double decreases. The stitch work has an 8 row repeat.
Designer: Jocelyn Tunney for O-Wool
Yarn: O-Wool Balance Bulky (Bulky Weight #5)
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Serendipity
The Serendipity shawl is a real head turner and it’s much easier to knit than it looks. Solid colored rows take turns with rows that are half one color and half another. The beauty of it is that it’s all garter stitch, so it’s a very accessible pattern for beginning knitters. Plus, it will give you lots of practice on changing colors.
Designer: Dehart House Designs
Yarn: (Fingering Weight #1)
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Will you be making a prayer shawl for a loved one? Which of the free prayer shawl knitting patterns on this list caught your eye? I would love to hear all about your project and the special person you are making it for. Tell me all about it in the comments below!
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I’ll see you next week for another free knitting pattern round-up. Make sure to follow the blog so you never miss a post. <3
You can also check out our crochet prayer shawl collection!
Happy Knitting!
Amanda
