Prayer Cloths

The idea here is to pray for the recipient as you work. When the person touches or views the cloth, he or she will be reminded of God's infinite power, wisdom and love, and that they have been loved and prayed for by you. You can do this even if you do not know who will receive your cloth. Just pray for the recipient -  God knows who will get it before you've even finished the prayer cloth. :-)

Remember that the cloth itself, the yarn, the crocheting are not endowed with any special power. Only God can answer prayer. In His infinite wisdom His answer may be yes, no, or wait. If there is healing, peace, or protection it is because God answers our prayers in the affirmative. It is important to realize that it is not the cloth itself that gives the comfort or healing, but the power of Almighty God.

Special Note:
If making a prayer cloth for a person in the military, choose appropriate colors (no neons, pinks, white, but rather choose brown, charcoal grey, black, navy, dark green. tan, olive... Check with the contact person or charity coordinator to find out what colors are currently acceptable.)

100% Wool is needed for troops in harm's way (acrylic will melt in a firefight and cause further damage), but other materials (and colors) are okay for wounded in hospitals.

If you don't know if your yarn is wool or acrylic, here's a test from Crochet World:

If your yarn becomes separated from the original labels, and you're not sure if it's wool or acrylic, here's an easy method to find out. Burn the end of the yarn with a match. If the burn brushes off and leaves only a scorch, the yarn is wool. If the end of the yarn turns black and hard, it's acrylic.

Here is a little note that I enclose with my own cloths:

Please accept this pocket prayer cloth as a reminder of God’s love and care for you. May God hold you in His arms and give you comfort in times of trouble. May He keep you safe in times of danger. Know that you are in my thoughts, in my heart and in my prayers. Thank you for the sacrifices you and your family make to keep me and my family safe and free.

Sandie's Filet & Puff Stitch Prayer Cloths in pdf format

Sandie's Filet Prayer Cloth

Size: depends on hook, but try to make pocket cloths no larger than 4” x 5”

Materials: G or H hook (or whatever size goes with the yarn you chose), smallish ball of yarn, worsted weight gives the size listed but you can actually use any weight if size doesn't matter (check with coordinator for the requirements for their charity effort)

Time commitment: about 20 minutes

Note: If you prefer to have all the “holes” the same size, ch one less and do (ch 1, sk 1) instead of (ch 2, sk 2)

ch 16 (or 15 - see note above)
Row 1: dc in fourth chain from hook and in ea chain across. ch 2, turn. (14 dc)
Row 2: dc in ea of next 5 dc, ch 2, sk 2 dc, dc in ea of next 6 dc (including tch), ch 2, turn
Row 3-5: repeat row 2
Row 6: dc, (ch 1, sk 1, dc) twice, ch 2, sk 2, dc, (ch 1, sk 1, dc) twice, dc in tch, ch 2, turn
Row 7: (dc in next dc and in next ch-1 sp) twice, dc in next dc, ch 2, sk 2 chains, (dc in  next dc and in next ch-1 sp) twice, dc in last two stitches, ch 2, turn.
Row 8: repeat row 2
Row 9: dc in each st across, working 2 dc in ch-2 sp

You will end on right side. With either same yarn, or contrasting color, work border on this side.

Border: ch 1, sc around, working (sc, hdc, sc) OR (sc, ch 2, sc) in corners (whatever keeps your corners from curling). Work 2 sc in post of each dc along side and 1 sc in each stitch along top and bottom. If your work does not lie flat, try using a hook one size smaller for border.

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Sandie's Puff Stitch Prayer Cloth

Materials: same as filet
Size: depends on hk

Special Stitch:
Puff Stitch: yo, insert hk in next sc, yo,pull through (3 lps on hk), yo, insert hk in same sc, yo and pull through (5 lps on hk), yo, insert hk in same sc, yo and pull through (7 lps on hk), yo and pull through all 7 loops.

Note: The puffy part will be on the wrong side. That's okay. Work your border on that side.

Instructions:
ch 14
Row 1: sc in second chain from hk and in ea chain across. ch 1, turn. (13 sc)
Row 2: sc in ea of next 6 sc, puff st in next sc, sc in ea of next 6 sc, ch 1, turn
Row 3: sc across, ch 1, turn
Row 4-9: repeat rows 2 and 3
Row 10: sc in ea of first 2 scs, (puff, sc) 5 times, sc in last sc, ch 1, turn
Row 11: sc across, ch 1, turn
Row 12-15: repeat rows 2 and 3
You will end on wrong side. That is where you want to work your border.

Border: same as filet
 

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Kaye Rogers' Prayer Cloth Pattern in pdf format

Prayer Cloth
©2008 Kaye Rogers
If you have questions about this pattern, please contact the designer, tendermother AT yahoo DOTcom

Materials:
G or H size hook, depending on the yarn you use
4 ply yarn, a 4 ounce skein will make several prayer cloths.

Instructions:
Chain 10 if you crochet loosely
Row 1: Half double crochet in 2nd stitch from hook and in each stitch across. Chain 1 (9 hdc)
Row 2-10: Half double crochet in each stitch across.  Chain 1 (9 hdc)

Edging:
Chain 6, slip stitch in end of row.  Repeat until prayer cloth has this edging

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Need someplace to send your prayer cloth? Try this site. I am not involved with the group, but found it on the net.

Simple Chemo Caps
 c2007 Sandie Petit, http://www.crochetcabana.com

Here is how to make simple chemo caps. You can adjust for your yarn type by using a smaller or larger hook and changing number of rounds. Use soft yarn for chemo caps. I suggest using a more closed in pattern since they have no hair beneath.
 

1) Begin with a ring. Use either an adjustable ring, or ch-5 and join to make a ring.
2) ch 2 or 3 for height, and work 11 more dc into the ring for a total of 12 dc.
3) ch 2 or 3 for height and work 2 dc in each stitch around (including the stitch where you chained up).

4) After that you can either continue to increase 12 stitches evenly each round for a more flat topped hat, or you can increase by 6 evenly each round for a more gradual slope. Either way, when your hat is the size you want it, stop increasing and work just one dc in each stitch.

Border Round: Use your imagination! I have a number of borders (edgings) you can use here.
 

Extra notes: To increase by 12, you need to count the number of stitches in your round, divide by 12 and increase in that stitch. In other words, say you have 36 stitches. 36 divided by 12 is 3. So you would increase (work 2 dc) in each 3rd stitch.
If you want to increase by 6, it is the same. Just divide 36 by 6 and increase in the 6th stitch.

See? Easy.