Alternatives to fringe on shawls?

[lorijds]

I'm making the "prayer shawls" for my grandmothers (funny thing, coming from me, because I'm atheist, but oh well). I've been experimenting with different yarns and needle sizes. I'm like the shawls, but I don't like the fringes.

Any suggestions of other means of finishing the edges? I don't do descriptions well, I'd need pictures to accompany them. I don't need anything too complicated--just something simple and neat.

Thanks!

Lori

[zech13_9_goforgold]

Fringe is really important symbolically on prayer shawls. The number of cords is equal to the number of laws G-D gave the Jewish people. Also, the blue cords represent the name of G-D. Each wrap (of the blue cord) around the other white cords equals a lettter in the Hebrew alphabet. So, could you make a prayer shawl without the fringe? Yes, but would it still be a prayer shawl?

Google prayer shawls to get instructions of how to make the fringe.

[lorijds]

That's very interesting. I'm not making for any Jewish or Catholic people; and my prayer shawl pattern doesn't say anything about blue cords or color or even the number of cords. It just calls it a fringe and says you can place a fringe or leave it off, depending on how much yarn you have left. So obviously mine is not a kosher prayer shawl to begin with. I think if I make it and have it blessed by the hospital chaplain and call it a prayer shawl, it's a prayer shawl for my purposes. I'm guessing Jewish prayer shawls are different than your general, all purpose prayer shawl made by atheists to give to their protestant grandmas!

I do appreciate your input. Thank you!

ETA: I did think that if I took off the fringe, I needed to replace it with something, a different finishing. I always thought the purpose of the fringe on a prayer shawl was similar to the purpose of prayer beads--something physical to wrap your fingers around, help you pray, connect you, that sort of thing. I was thinking of putting some sort of charms within whatever edging or finishing I chose--charms representative of our family. Your post makes me think I should definitely do that if I change the fringe. Thanks again!

[lorijds]

Just so anyone else who posts is clear on what I'm making, here's pretty much the pattern:

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/khs-prayerShawl.html

Thanks!

Lori

[notjustmamie]

I don't knit, but here is a great selection of knit edging patterns: http://www.knittingpatterncentral.co...insertions.php

[3boobykins]

[QUOTE=lorijds;13440717]That's very interesting. I'm not making for any Jewish or Catholic people; and my prayer shawl pattern doesn't say anything about blue cords or color or even the number of cords. It just calls it a fringe and says you can place a fringe or leave it off, depending on how much yarn you have left. So obviously mine is not a kosher prayer shawl to begin with. I think if I make it and have it blessed by the hospital chaplain and call it a prayer shawl, it's a prayer shawl for my purposes. I'm guessing Jewish prayer shawls are different than your general, all purpose prayer shawl made by atheists to give to their protestant grandmas!


:

[Sagesgirl]

If you can crochet at all, I suggest putting a simple chain-stitch edging on them. Knitty has a couple of good articles with great pictures here & here.

Honestly, I'd just leave it off altogether, & not feel guilty.

[NullSet]

I would probably do a crochet edging too. It is so easy and quick, much more so than fringe.

[~*max*~]

I was going to recommend the crochet edging also. I have made made several prayer shawls. Some w/fringe, some without. When I do not add fringe I like to finish it off w/two rows of single crochet all the way around. It gives a nice, clean finished look. I love your idea of adding the charms. I think your grandmothers would love that. It really personalizes the shawl.

[flapjack]

Yarn over/k2tog just in from the edge.

[lorijds]

Thanks again for all the input. I can crochet a bit, and I'm going with a simple crocheted edging (duh, I don't know why I didn't think to check Knitty first) with some charms and beads on the edging.

Thanks!