A prayer shawl crochet pattern that begins with a gorgeous granny square
The Olivia Prayer Shawl Crochet Pattern provides a mindful crochet experience and a comforting wrap. Worsted weight yarn, a granny square and simple stitches.
Like a handmade blanket, a crocheted prayer shawl is designed for comfort and warmth, big enough to completely wrap up in.
But, it carries something more.
Our modern-day prayer shawl began as a way of demonstrating the time, energy, thoughts and prayers that went into creating and giving a meaningful gift. It’s a tangible expression of the crocheter’s prayers, with intention woven in from choosing the yarn to the final stitch.
Prayer shawls are usually given to someone facing difficult circumstances, although anyone in need of comfort can find that warmth in one.
Want to know more about the concept of prayer shawls? Check out the post by The Prayer Shawl Ministry.
The Olivia Prayer Shawl
Pattern at a Glance
- Yarn: Any worsted weight yarn (The sample is made with Lion Brand’s “Heartland”)
- Yardage: 820 yds of a main color (Glacier Bay), 195 yds of the 1st contrasting color (Mount Rainier), 130 yds of the 2nd contrasting color (Rocky Mountains) – all yardages are approximate
- Hook: US size H-8 (5mm)
- Skill level: Advanced Beginner/Intermediate
- Original publish date: August 28, 2026
Design + Construction
The Olivia Prayer Shawl design takes it on a path not typical of most shawls.
Instead, this prayer shawl begins with a large granny square which becomes the focal point. The granny square includes subtle texture, provided by working half double crochets in the 3rd loop, creating surface stitching without the extra work.
The granny square also features the modern granny stitch, a 2-round or row stitch pattern that’s open and airy.
Worked out from the sides of the granny square, the wings are oversized for more comfy coverage, almost like a wearable blanket.
The simple repetitive double crochet rows provide the perfect backdrop for offering continued prayers while making the prayer shawl.
The ends of the wings are finished off with the return of the modern granny stitch and the half double crochets in the 3rd loop, bringing the whole design full circle and creating a cohesive look..
The Yarn
A crocheted prayer shawl should be warm, cozy and soft, providing all the comfort the maker intends.
That’s why I chose Lion Brand’s “Heartland”. Of all the yarns I’ve worked with, this yarn by far offers a satisfying maker experience and the cozy comfort the user is looking for.
Of course, because the design is so straightforward, it’s easy to choose another worsted weight yarn that’s perfect for the recipient.
Yarn Substitution
Be sure the yarn you choose for your prayer shawl is a good substitute for “Heartland”. Download my Yarn Substitution Worksheet, walk through the steps, and you can see whether or not your substitute is a good choice.
Or, check out YarnSub.com for some wonderful alternatives.
Why you’ll love this pattern
- Simple, repetitive stitches make this prayer shawl a sooting, meditative make, providing hours of comforting crochet without ever feeling complicated.
- The Olivia Prayer Shawl is oversized for extra coverage, made for wrapping up completely.
- A granny square at the center adds gorgeous, subtle texture right in the midst of all that simplicity.
- Worked in one piece, with no seaming required – just steady, uninterrupted progress from start to finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the prayer shawl look good made in one color?
Absolutely! You can choose any color combination that brings the recipient joy.
Is this prayer shawl easy enough for a beginner crocheter?
Yes. Take your time with any stitches you don’t know and refer to the video tutorial if you have any trouble.
Won’t I get bored as I work the double crochet portions?
If you love mindful crochet that’s perfect for watching your favorite shows and relaxing in your comfy chair, you’ll love those one-stitch parts!
Where to Get the PDF for the Olivia Prayer Shawl
The Olivia Prayer Shawl is a free crochet pattern available in this blog post to Grow subscribers (the account is free). Scroll down to and sign into your account to view the free version.
Upgrade to a printer friendly, downloadable version PDF, available for purchase from one of my shops.
The premium PDF can be uploaded to your favorite mobile device so you can take your Olivia Prayer Shawl project with you to work on whenever you’re out and about.
The PDF is easy to read and beautifully formatted without ads for a great experience. It includes detailed written instructions, a schematic and photos to show you what you’re making.
Get your copy today!
The Olivia Prayer Shawl Free Pattern Starts Here
General Information
Yarn
Lion Brand “Heartland” 100% premium acrylic worsted weight (5oz/251yd; 142g/230m)
- Main color (MC) – Glacier Bay – 820yds
- Color A (CA) – Mount Rainier – 195 yds
- Color B (CB) – Rocky Mountains – 130 yds
- All yardages are approximate. Be sure to have extra on hand.
Hook
US size H-8 (5mm)
Gauge
- Rnds 1-3 of the granny square = Approx. 4”
- 13 dc x 8 rows of the wings = Approx. 4″
- The gauge will be slightly different between the square and the wings because the center of the square constrains the stitches and keeps the double crochets from spreading out. The wings will be a slightly larger gauge than the side measurement of the square.
Finished Measurements
Skill Level: Advanced Beginner/Intermediate
Abbreviations – US crochet terminology
- beg – beginning
- ch – chain
- dc – double crochet
- half double crochet
- rep – repeat
- rnd(s) – round(s)
- sk – skip
- sp – space
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- RS – right side
- WS – wrong side
- YO – yarn over
Repeats
- (…) – Work everything within the parentheses in the same st or sp.
- […] – Repeat everything within the brackets the indicated number of times.
- {…} – Repeat everything within the braces the indicated number of times.
Special Stitches
2 double crochet cluster (2dc cl) – YO, insert hook in the indicated st, YO, pull up a loop, YO, pull through 2 loops, YO, insert hook in the same st, YO, pull up a loop, YO, pull through 2 loops, YO, pull through all 3 loops on hook.
Chain-1 space (ch-1 sp) – The number denotes the number of chains made
Chain-3 corner space (ch-3 corner sp) – The number denotes the number of chains made in a corner space.
Double crochet 2 together (dc2tog) – [YO, insert hook in next st, YO, pull up loop, YO, pull through 2 loops] twice, YO, pull through all loops on the hook.
Double crochet 3 together (dc3tog) – [YO, insert hook in next st, YO, pull up loop, YO, pull through 2 loops] 3 times, YO, pull through all loops on the hook.
Granny stitch (GS) – 3 dc in the same st or sp
Half double crochet in the 3rd loop (hdc 3lp) – YO, insert hook through the 3rd loop that sits just under and behind the top loop of the stitch, YO, pull through the 3rd loop, YO, pull through all 3 loops on the hook to complete the hdc.
Invisible join: At the end of the rnd, remove working loop from hook, insert hook from back to front through the top of the 1st st of the rnd, add working loop back onto hook and pull through to the WS, continue as instructed.
Puff – [YO, insert hook in the indicated st or sp, YO, pull up a loop] 3 times, YO, pull through all 7 loops on the hook.
Standing double crochet (Standing dc) – Make a slip knot, hold the slip knot firmly against the hook with the forefinger of the same hand, YO, insert hook in the indicated st, YO, pull up a loop, [YO, pull through 2 loops] twice.
Stacked single crochet (STsc) – (This stitch is used at the beginning of a round to replace the traditional turning ch-3. It has the appearance of a dc.) – Insert hook in the same st as the loop, YO, pull up a loop, YO, pull through 2 loops (bottom sc made), insert hook through the left vertical bar of the bottom sc, YO, pull up a loop, YO, pull through 2 loops (top sc made).
Video Tutorial
A full video tutorial is available on YouTube.
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