Knitting into the Mystery: A Guide to the Shawl-Knitting Ministry

Rating:
Summary: A Spiritual Knitting Guide
Review: A wonderful book, chock full of inspirational quotes and stories, detailing the use of hand knitted shawls as medium of prayer for knitters, and as healing gifts for loved ones or strangers. A warning - this is not a pattern book or a technique book, it does not teach how to knit or provide intructions for any shawls. This is a book about the process of making shawls to help and comfort others in times of need, in times of celebration, or simply to mark the strength of the relationship between the knitter and the recipient. To me this book translated into words something I think most knitters instinctively know - knitted gifts provide comfort and warmth beyond what the materials alone of the garment would be able to provide. They carry with them the love and the warm wishes of the knitter. This book provides interesting suggestions for adding some sort of religious ritual to the process of knitting and gift-giving. Even if you're not into organized religion, you'll still be inspired. A great gift.

Rating:
Summary: Inspiring !!
Review: Absolutely lovely ! This book gave spiritual meaning to my knitting and so much added enjoyment. It provides basic instructions on how to make a prayer shawl using K3,P3 pattern and the rest of the book is a real joy to read. This book would be a wonderful gift to any knitter!!!

Rating:
Summary: Very Inspirational!
Review: As a 20-year knitting veteran, I have been starved for new knitting material for about a decade now! I was introduced to this book by one of my knitting students, and it is perhaps the best knitting book purchase I have made...ever!

To read the inspiration behind the Prayer Shawl, and to actually experience the vision behind who would receive my first shawl...truly divine intervention! These ladies did an awesome job with this book, and have given me a new way to share my talents with other knitters and potential knitters, as well as a place to share all of our talents in the gift when these shawls are complete. My heartfelt thanks to these two great authors for sharing this inspirational book!!

Rating:
Summary: Big print, lots of prayers......
Review: Depending on your needs, you will either find KNITTING INTO THE MYSTERY an illustrated book of prayers and a woefully inadequate source for knitting instructions, or you will like it.

I am relearning to knit after all these years, and while it is true that I may need all the help I can get including prayers, I found this little book practically useless...so I sent it back. The authors have included one Hindu prayer apparently written in ancient Sanskrit(!!?) which I cannot read, so the book isn't completely overtly Christian -- which I am not. Why do some folks assume everyone interested in meditation is Christian? And how can you read prayers while you knit?

I ordered and kept KNITTING FOR DUMMIES as it includes what I need --simple instrucions for the beginner with much more text and many photos of knitting needle positions.

Rating:
Summary: Inspiring
Review: I found this book to be a wonderfule basic guide to starting or enriching a prayer shawl ministry.

Rating:
Summary: Somewhat disappointed
Review: I guess I had high expectations for the mechanics of meditation while knitting, which weren't fulfilled.
There are some brief references to the "Divine Feminine" which could be offensive to some readers.
There are some lovely prayers and stories, however.
The instructions for knitting the actual shawls seem to assume that everyone would be using the k3p3 modified seed pattern which is fast but not very attractive. I do like the idea of these groups, though, and the idea of prayer while making a garment for the recipient, and it will probably be a reference for the prayers and organizational information.


Rating:
Summary: Spirituality and Knitting--Finally
Review: This book is the first I have seen that really emphasizes the spiritual quality of knitting. As someone who has long appreciated knitting, and the giving and recieving of knitted goods,as a meditative, healing process, it is wonderful to see my sentiments expressed so eloquently. I have given several shawls to both friends and strangers in need of the warmth and caring they provide, and I can assure you that I have never seen a gift so appreciated. There is something about the love and time put into a shawl, combined with their sheer, tactile beauty, that embues them with an intangible strength. If you are not yet a knitter, this book is an excellent introduction, and the shawls are an perfect beginning project. If you are an advanced knitter, the template provided is a blank canvas for your creativity. This book is a beautiful celebration of the joys of creation and the power of caring.

Rating:
Summary: Spirituality and Knitting--Finally
Review: This book is the first I have seen that really emphasizes the spiritual quality of knitting. As someone who has long appreciated knitting, and the giving and recieving of knitted goods,as a meditative, healing process, it is wonderful to see my sentiments expressed so eloquently. I have given several shawls to both friends and strangers in need of the warmth and caring they provide, and I can assure you that I have never seen a gift so appreciated. There is something about the love and time put into a shawl, combined with their sheer, tactile beauty, that embues them with an intangible strength. If you are not yet a knitter, this book is an excellent introduction, and the shawls are an perfect beginning project. If you are an advanced knitter, the template provided is a blank canvas for your creativity. This book is a beautiful celebration of the joys of creation and the power of caring.

Rating:
Summary: This book is a gem.
Review: Whether you are new to the knitting ministry or are already knitting shawls, this book has much to offer. You will want to purchase more for friends and family and with Christmas approaching, what a wonderful gift idea.