"You created every part of me, knitting me in my Mother's womb. For such handiwork, I praise you. Awesome this great wonder!" Psalm 139:13-14
Two afternoons a month, a group called Skeins & Scones meets to either knit or crochet beautiful prayer shawls. Compassion and a love of knitting or crocheting have been combined into a prayerful ministry and spiritual practice which reaches out to those in need of comfort and solace, as well as in celebration and joy. Many blessings are prayed into every shawl.
Starting September 11, 2006 a second group will be meeting in the evenings from 6:00pm - 8:00pm. Beginners are welcome! We are happy to teach people to knit or crochet a shawl.
A Prayer Shawl Miracle: In July, a friend of my husband's was in a serious injury and suffered head, eye and hand injuries. He was in a coma for several weeks. Zion's Prayer Shawl ministry sent a shawl to this man's wife. She brought the shawl to the hospital and started talking to her husband about the shawl - he regained consciousness and said "prayer". He has been sleeping under the shawl and is improving, although his recovery will be long. This is the miracle of the Prayer Shawl Ministry. Paula
Cranberry Scone Recipe:
2/3 C. buttermilk
1 egg
3 C. flour
4 t. baking powder
1/2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
1/2 C. butter
1 C. fresh or frozen cranberries
1/2 C. sugar
1 t. fresh grated orange peel
Preheat oven to 375°F.
Beat egg into buttermilk. Sift together flour, baking powder, soda and salt into a large bowl. Cut in butter with a pastry cutter.
Add cranberries, sugar and orange peel. Toss to coat. Add buttermilk mixture. Stir with a fork until a soft dough forms.
Turn out onto a floured board and knead it 5 or 6 turns. Form dough into a ball and pat it out. Cut into 8 wedges.
Bake for 20 - 25 minutes or until a light golden brown. Let cool on a rack for at least 1 hour before serving.
Coming soon: Shawl Instructions for Knitting, More Scone Recipes, Prayers and more Pictures.
Crochet Instructions: 3 1/2 skeins of Lion Brand Homespun (match dye lot numbers). Lion Brand Homespun yard will unravel when cut. Fringe will need to be knotted at its ends for a more presentable look.
Chain 54 stitches. Chain 1, turn, single crochet in each of the stitches to end. Chain 3 and turn. Double crochet in top of each single crochet. Repeat this row 2 more times. Chain 1 and single crochet to end. Chain 3 and turn. Do 3 rows of double crochet. Repeat pattern to end (1 row single, 3 rows double). End with 1 row of single crochet. Finish with fringe.
Because this is a spiritual practice, before one begins to knit or crochet, a prayer should be said dedicating the work of your hands and the intentions of the receiver (if known).
