~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~
Last December I found myself looking for a way to keep a particular friend in my prayers over an extended period of time. I needed a good strong reminder so that I wouldn’t let her intentions slip my mind as time passed. It occurred to me that knitting might help. I chose a beautiful soft yarn, one that I would love to knit with, a simple pattern that doesn’t require much in the way of concentration (and one I’ve knit before), and this purple shawl was born. I have been working on it slowly but steadily, hoping to have it finished by mid February. My personal rule is that I can only work on it while praying. Jonny joins me, and we keep the friend whom this shawl is for in our intentions as we pray the rosary. My plan has worked, because every time I look at her shawl I am reminded to say a little prayer for her in addition to praying for her while I am knitting.
I am more than halfway through Organized Simplicity now, and am putting some of the ideas to good use. I’ll talk more about that soon! I also got the urge to read Little Town on the Prairie. I can’t remember much of the last few Little House books, and want to read through them. In fact, I am not sure I ever read the last two when I was a child.
I promise that this is the only time it will happen, but I ended up having a friend work on the Yarn Along button just a bit. (All buttons grabbed last week will continue to work, so don’t feel like you need to trade them out if you already put one in your sidebar, but you might want to because they are even cuter now!) You can grab the button below for your post, or go to the Yarn Along page and choose your favorite color!
I’ve read the Little House books several times as an adult. I’ve enjoyed them every time. What a lovely way to knit something beautiful and meaningful, to pray while knitting.
what a beautiful thing to do Ginny. I think I may have to start doing this for the prayer needs in my life right now too!
I love the buttons Ginny! But I think I love the idea of a true “prayer shawl” even more. What a thoughtful project.
love the color of your yarn, absolutely lovely 🙂 I need to get some new yarn for my stash and I think I’ll have to find something purple now that I’ve seen your project! lovely 🙂
I loved Little Town on the Prairie as a child – the tales about the big snows and making it through the hard winter always entranced me. We haven’t had that much snow this year and I find myself thinking wistfully of the snows of childhood.
I don’t have a yarn along today, but I love the yarn you posted! And I’m putting your button on my blog!
Knitting and praying – such a warming thing. It feels good. Thank you for sharing that!
I am “yarning along” for the first time today, such a pleasure!
I love this purple shaded yarn and the pattern shows a beautiful kerchief. That´s a lovely reminder. I love the new header of your page, too!! This is a beautiful cardigan.
enim sou
Oh my goodness – I love that yarn! I love that pattern! I can’t wait to see how it turns out! xo
What beautiful thing you are doing. The purple is a great color. I have not read that Little House book yet. We are starting on the picture books(they even have board books!) Grabbing a button.
What a really great way to remember to pray for someone–such extra thought and care you will have placed in every stitch of the finished shawl!
Looking forward to hearing what you’ve done from Organized Simplicity!
Ooh, I love the button. I’m actually glad you posted it, because I never noticed it before. That purple yarn is just beautiful. I like this way of thinking of people, too. I am not religious, but do make prayer shawls for people whom I want to think about.
That’s a lovely idea, to have a prayer project. Maybe I’ll do that as well when I’m knitting gifts.
This is my first Yarn Along Wednesday. I love your purple yarn! I think that using your knitting as a reminder to pray for your friend is an awesome way to do it.
Oh no, I forgot the button again! …
There, updated.
🙂
I love knitting something for someone dear, keeping them in your thoughts and prayers. I have just started a project like that as well.
We used to do something similar at my church. Thanks for the reminder to slow down and pray when I knit for others.
Oh I love that shade of purple. And your new header is gorgeous btw. I have been reading Organized Simplicity as well, good read for sure. And thanks to this post I just may have to go back to the “Little House books” as we call the around here, it’s been a while.
What a beautiful intention Ginny! Love that gorgeous color too.
What a beautiful idea – and I love that color!
That is a very special gift, Ginny. Were you able to finish your ruffled scarf? I need to pull out the Little House books again. Our family listened to them while driving cross-country. I think my soon to be 7yr old will enjoy them more now.
A prayer shawl… How beautiful.
I love the shade of purple you’re using in the knitting. It’s very warm and inviting. Members of our church knit prayer shawls much like what you are describing. I think it’s a gift to to all involved, not just te recipient.
I love the vibrancy of the purple. I too have found that the meditative quality of knitting really lends itself to good prayer, especially when the knit is for someone who is so special and in need of some extra thought.
I read all the Little House books when I was a kid (and watched all the shows later on) and I so loved them.
What a beautiful way to remember your friend’s intention. That purple is gorgeous!
If it’s been there for a while and I am just noticing now, please forgive me. I often frequent your blog in the AM before coffee and I’m not always overly observant. I love your new banner photo!!!!! It is very striking.
The shawl is very pretty. It’s a great shade of purple.
Little House books are my all time favorite books, I have my own set now. JUST FOR ME. I still read them!! My children enjoyed them as well..
I love the button!
I have long admired that wonderful pattern, the purple yarn is going to make it beautiful!
That purple is so really lovely. You friend will find such warmth in it. I just wanted to let you know your blog means so much to me. I look forward to each post. It brings me so much joy to read about your little family and their adventures. We transplanted to your area last year and really if it wasn’t for your blog we wouldn’t venture too much from our home. Thank you so much.
What a beautiful gift and so many prayers knit into each stitch, I’ve heard this done elsewhere and it is a beautiful tangible reminder of the love of The Body of Christ in action.
I’m pleased that I’m part of the early bird yarn crew, I was actually organised this morning to load up my post!
I read the entire Little House Series to Benedict during the Christmas Season, several chapters were read each night as we could not bear to be parted from the story!
God’s Blessing to you and yours
San xx
That purple is gorgeous…like hyacinths and concord grapes. Love it!
What a beautiful shawl and a beautiful and creative way to keep someone in your thoughts and prayers. I really enjoyed Little Town on the Prarie. If you get to them I think you will enjoy the last two books. I never get tired of reading that series. They were my first novel loves.
lovin that purple !
I find that when I’m knitting for someone else, I can focus on them each time I sit down to knit. Love that color! I’m sure your friend will very much appreciate your labor of love for her.
P.S. – I replaced the button, but when I view my blog, it doesn’t look any different than it was before. It still has a box around it – is that the change? It’s borderless now?
Such a beautiful hug of a shawl.
What a lovely way to keep a friend in mind. I’m also reading through the Little House series.
This is a lovely gesture. I was moved by the idea of giving yourself in such a way. I guess that is why I miss praying…
Thank you for sharing!
Such a beautiful purple you’re using. I love the idea of praying and focusing on the receiver of a project, too.
I think knitting really does lend itself to prayer, or just being contemplative. What a beautiful gift for your friend both in the physical sense, and spiritual.
That is such a good idea Ginny. I often knit on long car journeys and like to think of a blessing, something I’m thankful for, with each stitch, or row, depending on how quickly I’m knitting 🙂 Beautiful purple yarn too x
I love the little house books and re-read them quite regularly.
That shawl is looking lovely already and I love the colour, just gorgeous!
The shawl will be beautiful and what a lovely way to pray for a friend. Funny, my daughter just started reading Little Town on the Prairie which is a re-read for her, too!
I love knitting prayer shawls the most. There is something about knitting with intent that always makes me feel connected to a bigger picture.
Also, Amazon has Organized Simplicity as a free download for e-readers. I didn’t have an e-reader but you can download Kindle for your computer for free. Yay problem solved!
That’s a lovely color for a shawl. It’s my first time using the link, I’m excited to check out everyone’s blogs…
So many good thoughts wrapped up in that shawl. Lovely idea and beautiful colour.
I still love The Little House books too.
Even thought I do not knit I always read these posts. I have to tell you that I love the new button! Cute!
I would love to borrow your idea for a friend that I pray for as I think this is so special and a shawl would be such a thoughtful gift.
I am looking forward to your review of the book. I find myself looking at my home with new eyes and would love [need] help!
What a beautiful gesture. I love your purple. I have some purple this week too. x
I do believe thoughts and prayers get knitted into things. I enjoyed hearing about your prayer shawl, and hope it brings peace and comfort. It’s beautiful, too.
I think it is lovely that you are knitting and praying at the same time for your friend. I find knitting quite a meditative process anyways so it is only natural that they be paired. I’m looking forward to your review of the book. So far I haven’t read it yet but it is on my list !
The purple is so lovely! I really like the slight variegation in the yarn. I just bought some similar Malabrigo for making a February Lady. I’m very excited about knitting for myself! 🙂 I’ve really been thinking of reading the later Little House books to the kids recently. I just might do that!