One thing I love doing is using my ability to crochet to give back. There are several organizations I donate to, and have partnered with Selah of Simply by Selah to start an organization we call Hooksters for Hope. We love being able to give back to the various charity organizations, giving hope to those people the organizations help.
A while back, we had a campaign to have fellow crocheters join us in donating prayer cloths to Give a Little Hope. I used a pattern from the Sadie Sunshine chapter of Crochet for Cancer, and we had just under 100 prayer cloths made and donated to Give a Little Hope. After that initial project, I wanted to make a smaller version, one that could travel anywhere…pocket sized, basically. So I adapted the original pattern and we launched another campaign for the mini prayer cloths. Both of these campaigns are still on-going…. we love receiving prayer cloths of any size from fellow crocheters so we can donate to organizations like Give a Little Hope and Crochet for Cancer. We also donate prayer cloths to the NICUnit at Akron General Hospital (Akron, Ohio).
Here is my adaptation of the original prayer cloth pattern. Please feel free to use it to make mini prayer cloths to donate and/or gift them. It is a free pattern, so feel free to share it with others as well. I’ve also made it into a PDF file you can save to your computer for times you don’t have internet access. You’ll find that at the end of the pattern here.
Mini Prayer Cloth
Crochet terms (US):
- ch: chain
- sc: single crochet
- dc : double crochet
- sl st: slip stitch
- pc: popcorn stitch
Materials Needed:
- Worsted Weight yarn
- H hook (5.00 mm)
- Tapestry needle
Special Instructions:
- Rows: I indicate rows by using the letter R and the row number. Example: R1 would be row one. After each row, you will ch 1 and turn.
- Popcorn Stitch: make 3 dc in the same stitch. Take hook out of last dc and leave loop hang. Insert hook into first dc (front to back, as normal) and grab the loop from last dc. Pull through first dc and ch 1. This ch 1 will not count as a stitch in the row – you will skip it when you sc in the next row. Push popcorn stitch forward to make it stick out if needed.
Instructions:
Remember: at the end of each row, ch 1 and turn.
R1: ch 10. sc in 2nd ch from hook and in the next 8 ch (9 sc)
R2: sc across (9 sc)
R3: sc in next 4 sts, pc in next st, sc in next 4 sts (8 sc, 1 popcorn)
R4: sc across (9 sc)
R5: sc in next 4 sts, pc in next st, sc in next 4 sts (8 sc, 1 popcorn)
R6: sc across (9 sc)
R7: sc in next 2 sts, pc in next st, sc in next st, pc in next st, sc in next st, pc in next st, sc in next 2 sts (6 sc, 3 popcorn)
R8: sc across (9 sc)
R9: sc in next 4 sts, pc in next st, sc in next 4 sts (8 sc, 1 popcorn)
R10: sc across (9 sc)
R11: sc across. ch 1, but DO NOT turn. (9 sc)
Finishing: 2 sc in last st of R11, then sc evenly around the prayer cloth, making 3 sc in each corner except the first corner. Once you get back to the first corner, make 1 sc in that st (it will already have 2sc in it). Fasten off and weave in ends.
Download/save the PDF file by clicking HERE.
Copyright information: This pattern is ©2014 Southern Belle Crochet (Iris Dongo). The pattern and related photographs contained in it are property of Southern Belle Crochet. The original pattern belongs to the Sadie Sunshine Chapter of Crochet for Cancer. This is my adaptation to make a smaller, pocket sized cloth.
Please feel free to use this to make mini prayer cloths for charity or gifts. If you are looking for an organization to donate to, I highly suggest donating to any chapter of Crochet for Cancer. You can find a list of their chapters on their website (http://crochetforcancer.org) as well as other free patterns to make chemo caps.
If you have any questions regarding this pattern and/or the ways you are allowed to use it, please contact me.
Original pattern can be found at: http://hendersonmemories.blogspot.com/2013/10/prayer-shawl-ministry-pocket-prayer.html . I encourage you to visit her blog and learn about her story.