Healing Hands Prayer Shawl

A lacy, lightweight shawl perfect for comfort, healing, and cherished charitable giving.

🤍
Difficulty
🟢 Beginner
Time
⏱️ 8-12 hours
Hook
🪡 H / 5mm
Yardage
🧶 approximately 1200 yards
Finished Size
📏 26 inches wide x 60 inches long
⚠️
Always make a gauge swatch before starting!
Gauge: 16 sc x 10 rows = 4 inches in single crochet
Adjust hook size as needed to match gauge.
📋

At a Glance

The Healing Hands Prayer Shawl is a free Beginner-level charity pattern with a H / 5mm hook . Estimated time: 8-12 hours. Finished size: 26 inches wide x 60 inches long. You'll need approximately approximately 1200 yards of yarn.

9 steps across 4 sections  ·  Free under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — you can sell finished items

🛒 Materials

Worsted Weight Yarn
1200 yards total, soft machine-washable acrylic or acrylic blend in one solid color (cream, light gray, pale blue, or soft pink recommended)
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Crochet Hook
US H / 5mm, aluminum or bamboo
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Yarn Needle
Large tapestry needle for weaving in ends
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Stitch Markers
Optional but helpful, 2-3 markers to track pattern repeats
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📖 Abbreviations

ch — chain
sc — single crochet
dc — double crochet
hdc — half double crochet
sl st — slip stitch
sk — skip
sp — space
rep — repeat
rnd — round
inc — increase
yo — yarn over

📌 Before You Begin

💡

This pattern uses a simple lacy stitch repeat that creates an openwork fabric perfect for draping around shoulders.

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The shawl is worked from one short end to the other in rows, creating natural length.

💡

Pay attention to stitch counts at the end of each row to ensure consistency.

💡

If your edges seem tight, you may be working too tightly; try relaxing your tension slightly.

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This pattern is ideal for charity work—consider donating to hospitals, hospice centers, or prayer shawl ministries.

🧶 Pattern Instructions

💡 Tip: Count your chain stitches carefully on a flat surface. Using stitch markers at every 10th chain can help prevent miscounting.
  1. Step 1
    Ch 105 with H hook. (105 ch)
Row counter:
💡 Tip: The lacy pattern creates a consistent openwork texture. If you prefer a slightly denser fabric, work Row 1 as: Sc in 2nd ch, *ch 1, sk 1 ch, sc in next ch* rep to end instead.
  1. Row 1
    Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, *ch 1, sk 1 ch, sc in next 2 ch* rep from * to end. (70 sts with 34 ch-1 spaces)
  2. Row 2
    Ch 1, turn. Sc in first st, sc in next st, *ch 1, sk 1 ch-sp, sc in next 2 sc* rep from * to end. (70 sts with 34 ch-1 spaces)
  3. Row 3
    Ch 1, turn. Sc in first st, sc in next st, *ch 1, sk 1 ch-sp, sc in next 2 sc* rep from * to end. (70 sts with 34 ch-1 spaces)
  4. Rows 4-115
    Rep Row 3 for 112 more rows until piece measures approximately 59-60 inches in length. Maintain stitch count of 70 sts with 34 ch-1 spaces per row. You will have worked 115 rows total.
Row counter:
💡 Tip: The final row creates a firm, finished edge that prevents unraveling and gives the shawl a professional appearance.
  1. Row 116 (Final Row)
    Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across, working sc in each ch-sp as well to create a finished edge. (105 sc)
  2. Bind Off
    Cut yarn leaving 6-inch tail. Pull tail through final loop to secure. Weave in end with yarn needle.
Row counter:
💡 Tip: The optional edging gives a more polished look but is not necessary for a beautiful shawl. Many makers skip this step to save time for charity donations.
  1. Joining Yarn
    If desired, join yarn at one corner of the finished shawl. Work 1 round of sc evenly around all sides, working approximately 1 sc in each row-end along the sides and 1 sc in each st along the top and bottom edges. Join with sl st to first sc.
  2. Picot Edge (Optional)
    For extra elegance: *sc 2, ch 3, sl st in top of last sc made* rep around entire edge. Cut yarn and weave in end.
Row counter:

✂️ Finishing

Weave in all remaining ends using the yarn needle, working them through nearby stitches for 2-3 inches before trimming. Gently block the finished shawl by laying it flat on a clean, dry surface or pinning it to a blocking board. Lightly mist with water if desired and allow to dry completely, which may take 24-48 hours. The blocking will even out the lacy pattern and improve drape. Once dry, the shawl is ready to gift or donate.

🧺 Care Instructions

This shawl is designed to be practical for charity recipients. Machine wash in cool water on a gentle cycle with mild detergent. Do not use bleach. Lay flat to dry or hang on a clothesline away from direct sunlight. Do not tumble dry. If desired, light blocking after washing will refresh the lacy pattern. The soft worsted yarn becomes even more comfortable with washing and gentle use.

🤖 This pattern was generated by AI and may contain errors. Always test your gauge before starting.

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Questions About This Pattern

Absolutely — just match the weight (Worsted). You'll need about approximately 1200 yards, so make sure your substitute has enough meterage. Acrylic is budget-friendly and machine-washable; wool gives better stitch definition and drape.
Yes! This is one of the friendlier patterns to start with. You only need to know: ch, sc, dc, hdc. Work slowly, count your stitches at the end of each row, and don't be afraid to frog (rip back) and redo a section — that's how everyone learns. Budget about 8-12 hours; beginners often take a bit longer, and that's totally fine.
Usually it's the joining or finishing — where individual sections meet and need to align. Read through the entire pattern once before you start so there are no surprises. Use stitch markers generously to track your place, especially in rounds. If a section looks wrong, count your stitches before proceeding — catching an error early saves a lot of frogging later.
For this pattern, gauge is "16 sc x 10 rows = 4 inches in single crochet". For decorative or non-fitted items it's less critical, but matching gauge ensures you use the right amount of yarn and get the proportions the pattern intends. If your swatch is too small (too many stitches/inch), go up a hook size. Too large — go down.
This shawl is designed to be practical for charity recipients. Machine wash in cool water on a gentle cycle with mild detergent. Do not use bleach. Lay flat to dry or hang on a clothesline away from direct sunlight. Do not tumble dry. If desired, light blocking after washing will refresh the lacy pattern. The soft worsted yarn becomes even more comfortable with washing and gentle use. A general rule: when unsure about the yarn, hand wash in cool water with a drop of gentle detergent, squeeze (don't wring), and block flat to dry. This is safe for almost every fiber.
Each section builds on the last, so yes — follow them in order. That said, some finishing sections (like embellishments or optional edging) can be skipped if you prefer a simpler look. Read through all sections before starting so you understand how the pieces fit together and can plan your yarn usage across sections.