http://quilttherapy.com/?p=1332
Here's another picture of a simple shawl thought you might like it.

I am part of our church Prayer Shawl ministry. At this time, we only crochet ours. Most of the time we chain stitch around 69-73 and then we do three rows of triple crochet (stands for the Father, Son, & Holy Ghost) and then a row of singles (stands for us, the sinner) until we have the desired size.

None of us knit.

If you are asking about quilted prayer shawls, there is a book out, I believe it is by Leisure Arts also. I have seen it at Wal-Mart by the yarn and the knit and crochet books. In reality, a quilted Prayer Shawl is a bed runner only shorter.

My BF made me a "Prayer Blanket" when I found out I had uterine cancer; was in hospital for nearly 2 months with chemo and radiation; each day I placed my PB over my heart when I did my radiation; it gave me comfort and seemed to ease the anxiety. The blanket is a one yard square of light fabric with the edges either folded over or she may bind it. She puts a little pocket on each one with a verse. She has made numerous of these and has each one blessed by her Priest. It probably has the same meaning as the shawl. I keep mine folded and placed by my bed. I sometimes just touch it and feel comforted.

I thought a Prayer Shawl had something to do with someone's praying, but thick headed ME, found out that the prayer shawl was made by a group of folks that PRAYED over the shawl/blanket before presenting it in hopes that the prayers would be conveyed to recipient. For a short time I was part of a group that knitted prayer shawls and witnessed one lady in particular soulfully praying over a shawl we had completed and it was a very moving experience. Too, I've heard through this group that those that received the shawls were greatly comforted by them.

What denominations use prayer shawls? I haven't heard about them before.

I only know of knitted or crochet prayer shawls. I did do a lovely quilt once for my sick sister. I then sent the quilt around to all our friends and asked them so say a prayer while holding it. The quilt was such a joy to her to know that so many people prayed on it and my family said she was always wrapped in it, she said it gave her such comfort. Her son has the quilt now, my nephew.....

I think the Nov 2010 issue of either McCall's Quilting mag or BH&G Quilting mag had a pattern. I have it downstairs, but my back isn't currently allowing me access to it :lol: I don't know as though it was actually called a prayer shawl or not. I also don't think it is limited to any particular denomination. The pattern I reference is wide enough to cover the back of one's neck and go part way down the back, then come over the shoulders and down the chest. The pattern also had pockets. It would also work great to keep shoulders and neck warm in the winter when you sit in your chair or instead of a bed jacket. My plan is to make one for my neice who will start chemo soon , and as we are Catholic, send along a rosary in one pocket. I would think you can pretty much make any block you want and string them together til you get the right length. My second one will be for an elderly aunt who doesn't like the draft on her neck in winter. The pockets could hold her tv remote, kleenex, etc. I'm going to attempt to back it with minkee..or flannel!

I'm Methodist and had never heard to them before until I attended a small Methodist church in MO (when I was recovering from heart attack); now that I'm back in Ga and the Methodist church I now attend haven't never heard of them......so, not sure it is a denominational effort......

I'm not sure it is any particular denomination. I am Baptist and I had never heard of one until my preachers' wife was presented one while sitting with a very sick daughter.

I'm Baptist and I haven't heard about them. They must have some psychological value, but if you don't know about them, then I wonder if perhaps that is lessened. Not their comfort value, just their psychological impact. Just wondering.