What Types of Items Do You Crochet for Charity?
I make Prayer Shawls I found this Prayer Shawl ministry pattern book, and I am making these shawls like crazy. I didn't know that many people who NEEDED a Prayer Shawl. (They are made for a person who is chronically ill, terminally ill, grieving, going through some tough times, etc.) When I start a shawl, either crocheting or knitting, I keep that person, and their needs in the top part of my mind as I stitch. I pray for families who are maybe caring for them. I pray for strength for those alone. And I knit love and prayers with each stitch. God has provided a list of people needing them.No cost for the shawls
Which Organization(s) Do You Donate Crocheted Items To?
I have always heard that God doesn't call the EQUIPPED; HE EQUIPS those he calls. Let me tell you, I have a good dozen on my list. Mothers who have lost a child, widows and widowers, cancer patients, newborns with colic, Alzheimers, AIDS. And as I pray while stitching, I find some of those prayers rub off on me too. I really feel this is what I am supposed to do in my "golden years"; making these Prayer Shawls. My first shawl was for my mother with cancer. The next was for a woman whose boys I used to babysit, and her middle son shot himself. Widows? Well, when I was one, I wore it continually to remind me that God loved me. I would wrap myself in my shawl and think of the loving arms of God sheltering me from this terrible loss. And it worked. My oldest son has lymphoma, and on his last visit he looked so BAD, that without saying a word I wrapped the latest shawl I had finished around him, and then I sat back and watched. After about a half hour his face began to relax, and he looked at me and said, "Mama, I don't know what kind of magic you knitted in this shawl, but I feel so much better. Would you make me one?" I told him it wasn't magis, but many, many prayers for healing, and strength for coping with the disease, etc. I love doing this and have an RV loaded with yarn. Now that my husband SEES the miracle of love in these shawls, he will never tell me to stop buying yarn. And God provides these needy people in the strangest ways. We rescued three little dogs, and the woman told me that her daughter's husband had been killed in an accident and she was going out of her mind. I asked her if she would give me the honor of making her a Prayer Shawl, and he jumped at the chance and asked for one for her dying mother in Pa. Now HOW can I turn them down? I can't. And the only money I will take is towards the cost of the yarn. Otherwise it is completely free. I live in Middleburg, Florida on a small farm, and THIS is my calling.
Advice
- Check your heart and God's plans for what he wants you to do. IF it is a definite calling, you will be supplied with what you need, and WHO it is that needs it. I always say, "Want to make God laugh? Tell HIM your plans!" I believe I am the only member of a prayer shawl ministry in FL.
Have Your Experiences All Been Positive?
Every single time I make a shawl, and have it blessed, I tie a small cross onto one of the pieces of fringe. It fills both me and the person who gets this very needed "angel hug" as they are called in the UK.
Are There Any Pitfalls to Be Aware of?
None that I see. . . . .unless your housework gets a bit behind, because you are knitting away.
Which Yarn(s) Do You Use When Crocheting for Charity?
The softest I can find. Lion Brand Homespun is wonderful. They have dozens of colors. Caron Simply soft is also wonderful to use. Paton has some nice yarn too.
Where Do You Acquire the Yarns?
I got most of my STASH from Ebay. I also ordered directly from the Lion Brand on line store. And Amazon.com can also give you a pretty fair price. But by far, EBAY, because when they know it is for charity, they will usually combine shipping to save money.
