Join Local Woman in Making Prayer Shawls for Newtown

People across the nation and in every town in Connecticut are collecting teddy bears to comfort the children affected by the devastating school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School but a Farmington woman has suggested a way to comfort the adults.

Traci Marcotte, a member of First Church 1652 has been crocheting prayer shawls for loved ones, acquaintances and occasionally strangers in their times of need. She will be making prayer shawls for Newtown and has invited the public to join her at Porter Memorial tonight around 6:30 p.m.

The shawls, which are knit or crocheted with love and prayers for the recipients comfort and healing, are a way to care for someone, Marcotte said. 

“The idea behind it was …putting comfort into it and love and healing through whatever higher power you choose,” she said. “I’ve been told by some folks it’s like being wrapped in a hug - just knowing that someone wanted to make something for you and it’s something tangible. It’s something you can hold on to.”

Marcotte also discovered one of her co-workers is doing crisis work and counseling in Newtown and she is hoping to have the co-worker connect the shawls with people who need them.

And as so many people are struggling to understand the tragic shooting and its consequence in taking 27 lives, the process of making the shawls can also be comforting to those making them.

“The comfort goes all the way around,” Marcotte said.

Marcotte is offering to teach those who don’t know how to crochet and to provide patterns and encouragement for those who do. Anyone interested in participating should bring at least two skeins of soft yarn and knitting needles or crochet hook (though Marcotte will have a few extra).