My mother-in-law is a fabulous person who welcomed me with open arms into her family when I met my husband a little over ten years ago. Three years she ago battled with tonsil cancer so we were all devastated to learn at Christmas that the cancer had come back. In early January she had her kidney, spleen and some of her lymph nodes removed in a 7 hour operation. As we couldn’t be with her I decided to make her a prayer/healing shawl and crochet some love and healing thoughts into every stitch. My mum and even my non-crochet husband added stitches and love to go with mine and the result was ‘Margaret’s Hug’…
Margaret’s Hug Prayer / Healing Shawl
This shawl is a free pattern so others can make a hug for someone in need; however if you would like to pass on the couple of pounds/dollars you would have paid for this pattern to Cancer Research then that would make you even more awesome! And here are some great links on Lion Brand about prayer shawls with some sample messages to send with your shawl. The pattern details are below but if you want to download a copy you can on either Ravelry or Craftsy. I would love to see your finished items so please link your project on Ravelry or Craftsy or drop me a photo either by email or Facebook.
PATTERN:
Note: This pattern is worked by holding two strands of yarn together.
You will need:
- 600g of double knit yarn (8ply / yarn weight #3)
- Crochet hook: 7mm (US size L)
- A yarn needle
Gauge: 3 tr/dc (measured at the top) = 2.5cm /1 inch / 1 row = 2.5 cm / 1 inch. Neck edge point to point = 70 inches / 1.8 m. These measurements are approximated, and actual subjects may vary. Pattern will work in other yarns though gauge/size will be different. CHECK YOUR GAUGE, use any size hook to obtain gauge.
Stitch abbreviations:
- st(s) = stitches
- ch = chain
- sl st = slip stitch
- dc/sc = UK double crochet / US single crochet
- tr/dc = UK treble / US double crochet
Notes:
- This pattern is worked from the neck downwards and is worked in alternate rows of clusters (3 tr/dc) and V stitch (1 tr/dc, ch1, 1 tr/dc) with a shell cluster to start each row (4 tr/dc)
- The chain 3 between clusters / V-stitches on the point of the shawl counts as sts in this pattern.
- Stitches are worked in-between shell clusters/V-stitches/clusters and not in the ch spaces of the V-stitch row (see photo below)
Example of stitch pattern
Row 1: Ch 4 (counts as first st) 3 tr/dc in 4th ch from hook, ch 3, 4 tr/dc in same ch, turn (11 sts)
Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as first st), 3 tr/dc in same st as ch 3, then in next ch 3 sp work [1 tr/dc, ch 1, 1 tr/dc, ch 3, 1 tr/dc, ch 1, 1 tr/dc] miss 3 sts and in last ch work 4 tr/dc, turn (17 sts)
Row 3: Ch 3 (counts as first st), 3 tr/dc in same st as ch 3 then * 3 tr/dc in the next sp between sts of the previous row * repeat from * to * to corner where in the ch sp you need to work [3 tr/dc, 3 ch, 3 tr/dc]. Repeat * to * again to final the st; work 4 tr/dc into final st, turn (23 sts)
Row 4: Ch 3 (counts as first st), 3 tr/dc in same st as ch 3 then * [1 tr/dc, 1 ch, 1 tr/dc] in the next sp between sts of the previous row * repeat from * to * to corner where in the ch sp you need to work [1 tr/dc, 1 ch, 1 tr/dc, ch, 3, 1 tr/dc, 1 ch, 1 tr/dc]. Repeat * to * again to final the st; work 4 tr/dc into final st, turn (29 sts)
Rows 5 – 40: repeat alternate rows of rows 3 and 4, turn. Note: Each row increases by 6 sts (245 sts)
Edging:
Work along each edge of your shawl EXCEPT the neck edge in picot st.
Row 1: * Ch 2, 1 dc/sc in 2nd ch from hook (at the base of ch 2), dc/sc into next 2 sts * repeat from * to * until end, finish off and weave in ends.
Reblogged this on UK Crochet Patterns.
Thank you for sharing, what a fabulous blog promoting UK crochet terms! New follower 🙂
Wonderful! Welcome!
Thank you so much. This is a wonderful pattern.
I wish you could teach how to do this. I love this shawl and I want to learn how to crochet this but don’t know the first step in even beginning to crochet!
I learned from youtube with videos by https://www.youtube.com/user/naztazia
Check her out! There are other tutorials too, including LionBrand and the Crochet Crowd. They’re all great!
Could a bulky yarn be used instead of 2 stands ?
Hi Shani, you would only need the one strand but with it being a different yarn I’m not sure if 300g would be enough to make the shawl long enough, if it was me I’d buy 400g to be on the safe side. Can’t wait to see the results from your experiment 🙂
Does this pattern just make one large triangle ?
Hi Shani, yes the shawl in a large triangle shape. Kind regards Heather
If I use a smaller hook would it be a smaller size. I just started crocheting and I don’t know how to make things smaller. thank you in advance
Hi Bobbie, if you use a smaller hook and just one strand of yarn then yes you would get a smaller sized shawl. Kind regards Heather
Thank you for sharing! This is beautiful. I wish you and yours all the best.
Thank you so much LavendarLadi!
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What a wonderful thing to do, I love the pattern and was looking for one to make for myself, I think I will also make one for someone else 🙂
I love the look of it! What yarn & color did you use?
Hi Cory, I used Stylecraft Special Double Knit for this pattern shade 1004 Dark Brown, it was so soft and squishy when it was finished 🙂
Have you posted a video on YouTube showing how to create this shaw? I have a very hard time following written crochet directions, but the videos help so much!
Hi Brittany, I’ve now included a video for the first three rows of the shawl, here are the details: https://keepcalmandcrochetonuk.wordpress.com/2015/01/11/video-tutorial-margarets-hug-healing-prayer-shawl/
Do you happen to have measurements on how big this shawl is suppose to be? 🙂
Hi Jeshua, Neck edge point to point = 70 inches / 1.8 m. Kind regards Heather
Can you give me an idea of the size of this shawl?
Hi Dawn, the shawl measurements neck edge point to point = 70 inches / 1.8 m
Love this shawl and the story behind it. Is there a video tutorial on YouTube of how to make this?
Thanks!
Hi Nyssa, I’ve now included a video for the first three rows of the shawl, here are the details: https://keepcalmandcrochetonuk.wordpress.com/2015/01/11/video-tutorial-margarets-hug-healing-prayer-shawl/
I found this beautiful shawl via Pinterest, and am nearly finished with it. I’m wondering if you ever measured the shawl? I ask because the L hook I found is an 8mm, not 7, (I can’t find a 7, I have a choice of 6.5 mm or 8, i went with 8 for a nicer drape), so I know my stitches will be bigger and I’ll need less rows, but this is my first shawl so I’m not quite sure how big to make it. I just finished row 27, and it’s rather wonderfully large and snugly. Just unsure when to stop.
Thank you for this lovely pattern!
Hi Jess, the original was Neck edge point to point = 70 inches / 1.8 m
As you’ve used a larger hook I’m not sure how big it will turn out to be; I would wrap it round myself as a gauge to see if it felt comfortable and go with that!
I love your shawl pattern! Thank you for sharing the story about your mother-in-law & her shawl. I look forward to making this. 🙂
How hard its it to crochet with 2 strands of yarn?
Hi Donna, if you can crochet with one strand then you can do it with two it’s not much difference really – though it works up much quicker!
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Hi this is a beautiful pattern! I am having some trouble understanding something though if you wouldn’t mind helping to clarify it? I don’t understand this part “Stitches are worked in-between shell clusters/V-stitches/clusters and not in the ch spaces of the V-stitch row” because I hear you say in the video to work in the spaces and the only time I hear to work in the actual stitch is on the end. right? It is hard to see this part on the video =( especially the end I cannot see if you are working into the top of a stitch (the “V” – 2 strands of a stitch) or not. I still appreciate you doing the video, it is super helpful overall. I am not new to crocheting so I don’t know why I’m having a hard time understanding these parts I mentioned! I appreciate any clarification. Thanks so much in advance!
Hi Claire, thank you for your kind words, yes the stitches are worked in between apart from on the last row, if it helps I can send you a photo close up if you want to send me an email kcac.uk@gmail.com
I have the same questions as Claire. Please send photo. Thanks
Hi Rita, if you’d like me to send you a photo close up can you please email at kcaco.uk@gmail.com and I’ll send one over 🙂
Thanks for the beautiful shawl. I cannot find how many stitches to cast on? Am i missing some-
thing?
ARMitchell
Hi Affie, this shawl is crochet not knit so there is no casting on just beginning chains 🙂
Why does the pattern have UK/US, do you do either one????
Hi Laurie, I write all my patterns this way so that you can use either English or American Crochet terminology 🙂
And thank you for that!😄
Making this for our admin who retires in June. Will be nice for her morning Bible study 2 with her dog on her lap
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Reblogged this on Kerstin Karla ♥ and commented:
Thank you, for this free pattern.
Thank you kindly for sharing <3
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I just finished making this for my mom. The only change I made was to do a ruffled border. She loves it!! It was super easy so I love it too! I’ll get pics soon and upload them. Thank you for sharing this pattern.
Thank you kindly Julie, so pleased your mum loves it! Can’t wait to see some photos x
Thanks for the pattern. Just what I was looking for to make for an older friend who had lost her husband. I had to make a few changes due to what I had to work with – joys of living in a country were I can only get wool with labels written in a language which neither I or the shop owner understand!!! I have written a post about it in my blog justliketeta: https://justliketeta.wordpress.com/2016/01/15/crochet-prayer-shawl/
Thank you for sharing your story and for choosing this pattern to make for your friend, the finished shawl is really beautiful <3
Hello, I am a novice at crocheting & I’ve been searching for a shaw pattern that’s free. I have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. I find out tomorrow a lot more details as to date of surgery & when the chemo/radiation will start. So, I’ve been on a searching on my iPhone & keep hitting brick walls. I’m not savy with all this technology. Then I came across your story behind the Margaret’s Hug Healing & Prayer Shaw & began to cry & said “Thank You Lord.” In your experience do you think a beginner can be successful at creating this shaw? My resources are limited…how many skeins will it take to make? I’m a larger woman (2x) so would adjustments need to be done? Also, what is a treble stitch? Thank You for time
Prayerfully…Vicki
Hi Vicki, sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis and I’m wishing you lots of healing thoughts! Yes I think as a beginning you would be able to make this pattern. I used 6 x 100g of yarn and that was a fairly reasonable size; to make it bigger you would just continue the repeats of the pattern using some more yarn, perhaps add another couple of balls or so. A treble stitch is a UK term for a US double crochet. To work the stitch you would: Yarn over, insert hook in next st and draw up a loop (three loops on hook), yarn over, draw through two loops, yarn over, draw through remaining two loops on hook.
So sorry about your mum. Loved thinking about how your husband added his hug stitches. Beautiful pattern. Maybe she should go on the Johanna Budwig diet. http://www.budwigcenter.com/the-budwig-diet/#.VuRSBBhNr_4
Hi love this pattern however having trouble with the edging. Should I single crochet around first so the neck edge looks finished ?
Hi Diana, sorry for the delayed response, I didn’t work a single crochet round the neck edge as I didn’t think it needed it on mine – but this is your shawl so please feel free to add single crochet to the neck edge if that’s what you feel will work on your shawl. I hope you will share a photo of your finished work when you have completed it, I’d love to see it 🙂
Kind regards Heather
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Love the shawl trying to make it with your video but I can’t see your work or where you are stitching 🙁
So sorry for not replying sooner and sorry to hear you are having difficulty – I know my video isn’t very good! If there is anything specifically that I can do to help please let me know!
I wanted to let other readers and crocheters know that I made this pattern with worsted weight #4 yarn only pulling one strand as I crocheted. It turned out beautifully using 2+ 7oz. 364 yd. skeins of Red Heart. Thank you for sharing this pattern. I made it for the prayer shawl ministry at our church. Be blessed.
Hi Angie, thank you for letting me know about using worsted (aran) weight yarn – other’s may wish to use this option too you are right! I hope you will share a photo of your finished work when you have completed it, I’d love to see it🙂
Kind regards Heather
Thank you for this fantastic pattern❤
I prayed for a friend during every stich and now I will give her the beutiful healing/prayer shawl in the name of Jesus ChristAmen☝/ LB
Thank you for your kind words, sending my best wishes for your friend.
It looks like this shawl pattern is still going strong over several years judging from all the comments! I was wondering, how is your mother in law now? In hood health I hope.
Kind regards
Sorry for the delayed response. Thank you for asking Christina. I don’t know whether you saw my resent update post about the shawl that answers your query: https://keepcalmandcrochetonuk.wordpress.com/2017/05/31/margarets-hug-healing-prayer-shawl-free-crochet-chart/ I’m sad to say my wonderful mother in law did pass away two years ago and is very much missed. But her loving legacy continues with the shawl pattern as it’s downloaded by people to give to others. x
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Can this be done with one strand?
Hi Charan,
Yes this pattern can be worked one stranded but it will change the size of the design. You will need to work more repeats to make a shawl of equal size. Hope that helps.
Kind regards
Heather
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