Reiki/Comfort Shawls
My maternal grandmother patiently taught me how to crochet when I was eight years old, which means I’ve been at it for 50 years now. A decade or so ago, I realized that I could take the pattern for what’s known as a prayer shawl and convert it into one in which I could incorporate Reiki. As a student of Reiki Levels 2 and 3, I was taught the four Reiki symbols and mantras which serve as tools to help the practitioner to focus energy and create harmony. I infuse them into each shawl, stitch by stitch.
I begin a Reiki/Comfort Shawl by setting the intention to “charge” the yarn with Reiki using my hands. This is in tandem with setting the intention that the shawl is made for the highest good of the one who wears it. I begin with a chain of 108 stitches (to correspond with traditional mala beads) and then I softly chant one of the four mantras with every stitch per row. There are four rows per set (one row per mantra) and eight sets per shawl. Each shawl is finished off with tassels (40” in length with 33 tassels per side), at which point it is considered finished and ready to be gifted.
When I moved to Taos, a wonderful knitting group in town welcomed non-knitting me to contribute to the items that they were making for those in need. Many Reiki/Comfort Shawls were delivered to the Taos Living Center during that time. After COVID, a dear friend who provides hospice support in Taos lovingly assumed responsibility for distributing the shawls that I crocheted and she continues to do so going forward.
My earnings from the Reiki treatments at Mabel’s this summer will be funding this on-going project that keeps my hands busy and my heart peaceful. I exclusively use Lion Brand Homespun Yarn which (as of May 22, 2024) runs $8.99 per skein. One shawl uses four skeins which currently totals just under $36 (not including tax or shipping). I try to stock up on the yarn when it is on sale, even with limited living space.
If you feel inspired to lend your support, I welcome and appreciate gift cards from Lion Brand (to hellojuliekeefeATgmail.com). But if this project solely inspires you to use your own creativity to uplift others in some way, then that’s support enough for me. Thank you!
