Cape Cod Prayer Shawl

First and foremost we would like to say that this is not our pattern and we don't claim any of the rights to it. As such we may have to remove this pattern from our blog but are unsure at the moment. However, we thought that it would be a nice gesture to share it with others so more people could benefit from this shawl!

Cape Cod Shawl

from Barbara St. Cyr

West Yarmouth, Massachusetts

This shawl - the Cape Cod version of the original prayer shawl pattern - came as a result of Barbara St. Cyr's Cape Cod-based Prayer Shawl Ministry misreading the knit three, purl three instructions. Instead of creating the intended Seed Stitch effect, their pattern turned out ribbed - and they liked it that way! It's show here in a beautiful silk and wool yarn, in a colorway that spoke Cape Cod to us.

There are many ways to finish this shawl. With the yarn used here, a simple fringe (see pp. 167-168) gains a unique texture. The group always added tassels (see p. 168) on every rib or crochets a scallop shell edging (see "Finishing" in Nursing Shawl pattern p. 99) continuing the Cape Cod theme. Barbara also suggests knitting two 4" by 5" pockets to sew on the outside of the shawl. Into these pockets, the Cape Cody ministry places blessed medals, charms, mini-rosaries, prayer cards, notes with blessings from the knitters, or card explaining the Prayer Shawl Ministry.

Skill Level: Easy

Finished Measurements: 65" long & 18" wide

Yarn: approximately 700 yd heavy worsted weight yarn

Shawl is show in Alchemy Yarns Wabi-Sabi (66% silk/64% wool; 86 yd/1.75 oz), 9 skeins #86c Slip Stream

Needles: size 11 straight or circular needles (or size needed to obtain gauge)

Gauge: 12 sts & 16 rows = 4" worked in pattern

Directions:

CO 57 sts.

Row 1: *k3, p3, repeat from * to end of row, end k3.

Row 2: *p3, k3, repeat from * to end of row, end p3. (Note: You are knitting the knit sts and purple the purl sts to form a ribbed pattern.)

Repeat Rows 1 & 2 until shawl measures 65", or desired length.

Block shawl lightly to flatten ribbing because shawl will drawn in considerably.