Free pattern: Marciana Lace Prayer Shawl

Have you ever made a prayer shawl? I’m not sure what the origin of prayer shawls is, but these comfort shawls are made for people going through difficult times, including medical treatment, mourning, and other crises.

Earlier this year, I was asked to design a special prayer shawl pattern for AllFreeCrochet’s blog, Stitch and Unwind.

This post contains affiliate links. Yarn for the sample was generously provided by Red Heart Yarns. Shawl photos © StitchAndUnwind.com and used with permission.

I know that when I crochet a gift for someone, I try to put as much love as possible into it. Prayer shawls are supposed to carry the feelings of love and compassion, along with the maker’s prayers, along to the recipient.

When my grandmother was in the hospital in 2007, I was working on an intricate shawl pattern for her. I wasn’t able to finish the project before she passed away, but I know working on it next to her hospital bed brought us both a lot of comfort.

I kept that experience in mind as I designed this shawl. I wanted it to look beautiful, so the wearer would feel so pretty wearing it. (We all know that it’s hard to feel pretty when you’re sick, or when life’s major roadblocks are in the way, so why not at least make that a bit easier with a lovely accessory?)

I also wanted the pattern to be simple, because there isn’t always a lot of time to focus on details when making a prayer shawl for someone special.

And, of course, you can make this shawl for yourself, too. It makes a very cozy rectangular wrap.

I hope you enjoy this pattern. If you make one, please share a picture with me. And, if you donate your Marciana Lace Prayer Shawl to charity, please let me know what organization you supported. Share your progress and questions by tagging me on Facebook as @Underground Crafter or on Instragram as @ucrafter. You can also share a picture in the Underground Crafters Facebook group. Sign up for my weekly newsletter and get a coupon code for your choice of one of my premium patterns and private access to my vault of subscriber goodies. Plus, you’ll never miss one of my free patterns again!

Marciana Lace Prayer Shawl

Crochet Pattern by Underground Crafter

A simple stitch pattern creates a beautiful rectangular shawl with gentle waves and eyelets.

Finished Size

• Adult: 68.5” (174 cm) wingspan x 20” (51 cm) height after blocking.

Materials

• Red Heart With Love (100% acrylic, 7 oz/198 g/270 yds/338 m) – 2 skeins in 1538 Lilac (CA), and 1 skein each in 1801 Navy (CB) and 1001 White (CC), or approximately 540 yds (676 m) in CA, and approximately 270 yds (338 m) in CB and CC in any medium weight yarn.
• US Size I-9 (5.5 mm) crochet hook or any size needed to obtain gauge.
• Yarn needle.

Gauge

• 17 sts x 7 rows = 4” (10 cm) in pattern. Exact gauge is not critical for this project.

Abbreviations Used in This Pattern

• CA – Color A
• CB – Color B
• CC – Color C
• ch(s) – chain(s)
• dc – double crochet
• rep – repeat
• sc – single crochet
• sk – skip
• sp(s) – space(s)
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• t-ch – turning chain
• ^* Rep after asterisks as indicated.

Pattern Instructions

• With CA, ch 233 (or any multiple of 11 sts, + 2 sts). For tips on how to work with a long foundation chain, read Easy fixes for a foundation chain with too few or too many chains.
• Row 1: Turn, sk 1 ch, sc in next st, *ch 2, sk 2, dc in next 2 chs, ch 2, sk 2, sc in next 5 sts; rep from * across.
• Row 2: Turn, ch 5 (counts as dc + ch-2 sp, here and throughout), dc in same st, ch 1, (sk next st, dc in next st, ch 1) twice, dc in ch-2 sp, *5 dc in ch-2 sp, ch 2, dc in next st, ch 1, (sk next st, dc in next st, ch 1) twice, dc in next ch-2 sp; rep from * across to last ch-2 sp, 4 dc in last ch-2 sp, dc in last st.
• Row 3: Turn, ch 5, dc in frst st, ch 1, (sk next st, dc in next st, ch 1) twice, dc in next ch-1 sp, *sk next 2 ch-1 sps, 5 dc in next ch-2 sp, ch 2, dc in next st, ch 1, (sk next st, dc in next st, ch 1) twice, dc in next ch-1 sp; rep from * across to last 2 ch-2 sps, sk 2 ch-2 sps, 4 dc in last ch-2 sp, dc in third ch of t-ch.
• Rows 4-7: Rep Row 3.
• Row 8: Rep Row 3, changing to CB in last yo of final dc.
• Row 9: Rep Row 3.
• Row 10: Rep Row 3, changing to CC in last yo of final dc.
• Row 11: Rep Row 3.
• Row 12: Rep Row 3, changing to CA in last yo of final dc.
• Row 13: Rep Row 3.
• Row 14: Rep Row 3, changing to CC in last yo of final dc.
• Row 15: Rep Row 3.
• Row 16: Rep Row 3, changing to CB in last yo of final dc.
• Rows 17-24: Rep Rows 9-16 once.
• Rows 25-26: Rep Rows 11-12.
• Rows 27-34: Rep Row 3, 8 times. Fasten off.

Finishing

• With yarn needle, weave in yarn tails. Spray block if desired.

© 2015 by Marie Segares (Underground Crafter). Shawl photos © StitchAndUnwind.com and used with permission. This pattern is for personal use only. You may use the pattern to make unlimited items for yourself, for charity, or to give as gifts. You may sell items you personally make by hand from this pattern. Do not violate Marie’s copyright by distributing this pattern or the photos in any form, including but not limited to scanning, photocopying, emailing, or posting on a website or internet discussion group. If you want to share the pattern, point your friends to this link: http://undergroundcrafter.com/2015/12/02/free-pattern-marciana-lace-prayer-shawl. Thanks for supporting indie designers!