Janet Bristow

After graduating from the Women's Leadership Institute (WLI) in 1997 at the Hartford Seminary in Hartford, CT, I searched for ways to use my new insights and awarenesses about myself as a faith-filled, spiritual woman. Prayerfully creating a shawl for those going through difficult as well as celebratory life events seemed to be a perfect metaphor for what I had experienced at the WLI. In 1998, together with Vicky Galo, I began knitting the shawls and giving them to the people in my life. Little did we know that the Prayer Shawl Ministry would become a grassroots movement. In 2009, we were honored when the Hartford Seminary presented us with their Distinguished Alumna Award in recognition of the Prayer Shawl Ministry and its far-reaching effect.

Our first book, "The Prayer Shawl Companion" our second, "The Crocheted Prayer Shawl Companion" and now the third "The New Prayer Shawl Companion" are published by Taunton Press, Newtown, CT - www.taunton.com. These books, collections of original patterns, inspirational stories, and touching blessings and prayers, are by shawls makers from varying backgrounds and expertise. ,

Most recently, Taunton Press's Threads Magazine has released two convenient booklets. Based on our first two books, both contain a selection of 8 prayer shawl patterns. We are pleased to offer all of our publications, along with our website, www.shawlministry.com, as resources for anyone wanting to embrace the spiritual practice of making prayer shawls, reaching out to others through this ministry of love.