The Prayer Shawl Companion: 38 Knitted Designs to Embrace, Inspire, and Celebrate Life (Paperback)

by Janet Bristow (Author), Victoria Cole-Galo (Author)
Key Phrases: seed stitch, stockinette stitch, next row, Repeat Row, Yarn Approx, Prayer Shawl Ministry (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
For many, the ultimate expression of spirituality is charity. And for years, people have been crafting prayer shawls - knitted wraps to comfort those in times of need and to help others celebrate special occasions. Written by the two women at the heart of this groundswell of charity knitting, The Prayer Shawl Companion presents 38 wondrous wraps for all occasions, from baptism to remembrance. The book includes easy, intermediate, and challenging patterns for such inspiring creations as The Calming Shawl, and the Friendship Patchwork Shawl, and many more. Since knitting itself can be a gloriously spiritual activity, Bristow and Cole-Galo also offer advice on creating a peaceful creative environment and include heartwarming stories to and from shawl recipients. Professional knitwear designers like Kaffe Fassett and Nicky Epstein have donated more than 10 patterns.

About the Author
Janet Bristow and Victoria Cole-Galo are co-founders of the Prayer Shawl Ministry and the accompanying Web site, shawlministry.com. Both women are graduates of the Hartford Seminary's Women's Leadership Institute.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Taunton; illustrated edition edition (September 23, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1600850030
• ISBN-13: 978-1600850035
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #8,101 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth every penny!, September 26, 2008

By	Joan Giese "avid knitter" (Butler, PA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have been knitting prayer shawls for almost 5 years, and bought this book only because I had met Bristow/Galo and was curious about what they would put into it. I am impressed...they have patterns that I am not familiar with! Great photos, clear patterns, and new prayers! Worth every penny.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Touched by these angels, November 3, 2008

By	Kristen Ritchie (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have just received this book in the mail as a gift from my father - and have been overwhelmed with emotion ever since. You see, unbeknownst to me, there is one excerpt in the book written by my mother's best friend in honor of her. Janet Bristow and her group, that included Ginny Owens, bestoyed the gift of a prayer shawl to my mother Cyndee as she went through chemo the first time. This was a gift that truly paid itself forward 1,000-fold. My mother was so inspired, that despite fighting breast cancer, she went on to knit hundreds of blankets for friends, family and strangers alike for the next 9 years. She taught me to knit and to do the same. Inspired friends of my mother's began to do so, some even forming groups. The next thing you know, lives around the world were touched by one simple gift. This book encapsulates both the beauty and the power of these shawls, and inspires even the timid knitter to knit, because the importance of the gift will overshadow the strength of the knot. Thank you to Vicky & Janet for touching so many lives before now, and countless more that will be touched for reading this book, receiving it as a gift, or entering the community of other prayer shawl users & makers.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a book for knitters and non-knitters alike!, September 26, 2008

By	Carol Morano (Central Connnecticut, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

What a superb book this is! It is more than a volume of knitting patterns, even though the patterns are great and most very original. (Also, many of the shawls are breathtakingly beautiful.) It is also a collaboration of heartwarming stories and inspirational prayers. The whole experience of this book is uplifting. Thank you Bristow/Galo for this transformational book.