Knitting Zen

Lion Brand's recent catalog mentioned the Shawl Ministry, a project which is taking place in various guises around the world. Women (and men, too, I'm sure) knit shawls with intention, i.e., holding prayerful thoughts as they knit. Lion Brand has a simple pattern (pdf format) posted at their site--a rectangular shawl knit on large needles with their Homespun brand yarn.

As I knit the scarves I'm making for next year's Christmas gifts, I'm holding the recipient in my thoughts as I knit, with the intention of knitting good thoughts and prayers into them, knitting love into each stitch. I'm sure that most knitters do the same, whether they're making a gift for a new baby, socks for a spouse, or a hat for themselves. I would venture to say that handknitting is a labor of love in almost every case.