Knitting and Praying

“Yarn became my prayer beads.”
- Carolyn Boyd

Be still and know that I am God. But I don't do still. I go to the garden or kitchen, run errands, vacuum the car...as Gilda Radner said, “It’s always something”.

.... And so yarn became my prayer beads. Over ten years ago, I joined my church’s prayer shawl ministry. Dusting off college crochet skills, I began the practice of meditative handwork. Knitting or crochet uses up my itch to do, creates a gift for others and frees heart and mind to chat with God. In such quiet evening moments, I can reflection the day’s graces and missteps.

Whether I am praying for the intended recipient or meditating on my morning devotional, repetitive loops and stitches lull me into a quieter, slower place. Sometimes a problem or pain is lifted up as yarn slowly creates a pattern. And just as God directs me to fulfill His pattern for my life, I direct the needles or hook that sometimes, like me, don't want to go as directed.

Women have always found such repetitive movement, rock the baby, stir the pot, sew the stitch, spin the wool, as secret doorways to spiritual rest and reflection. Intriguing to the uninitiated, such crafts spark conversations in waiting rooms or a park bench. But the completed object also carries a trace of the prayers and petitions said over it. Prayer
shawls made at Saint Timothy's are ceremonially blessed and some recipients say they find healing in their comfort, but all say they feel the love of the maker. God gives us multiple avenues to his presence. Mine are frequently baby caps for refugees or a prayer shawl for someone in pain, but they are always a gift to my own soul.

Carolyn Boyd
St. Timothy’s Anglican, Spring
lynnpraytor@sbcglobal.net

Carolyn would like to extend a warm invitation to anyone who would like to visit, attend regularly or who has questions about forming a knitting, crocheting, or crafting circle. She hosts one at St Timothy’s on the 1st and 3rd Fridays 9:30-11:30 am.