This Lent, several us set out on a Lent Knitting Journey. Victoria had designed a scarf pattern to cover 40 days (every day in Lent except for Sundays) with a different verse for each day and the knitting designed to reflect the verse in some way. (Her pattern is available on LoveCrafts or there is also a “Spoiler-free” version.) 16 of us were also part of a WhatsApp group in which we shared pictures, thoughts and encouragement. With the COVID-19 pandemic reaching Britain during this time, the group, the verses, the knitting and the prayer became for many of us a wonderful oasis in our suddenly changed lives.

Here is a glimpse of the journey we have been on…

“An ENORMOUS thank you for leading us on this Lent journey. Not all of us have ‘kept up’ (I’m still several days behind) but I’m sure I speak for everyone in saying what a comfort this process has been, in a time that has been more strange and difficult than any of us could have imagined when we started this.”

Day 1: Ash Wednesday, Genesis 3:19
By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.
Day 2: Psalm 139:13
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
Day 3: Matthew 4:19
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
Day 4: Luke 15:4
“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?

“It was fun to write this pattern and I’m enjoying being part of this group.”

Day 5: Psalm 77:19
Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen.
Day 6: Daniel 12:3
Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.
Day 7: Isaiah 38:12
Like a shepherd’s tent my house has been pulled down and taken from me.Like a weaver I have rolled up my life, and he has cut me off from the loom; day and night you made an end of me.
Day 8: Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

“It’s so enjoyable particularly under the current circumstances, knowing other people are doing the same thing.”

Day 9: Luke 8:8
Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.”
When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”
Day 10: Genesis 9:13
I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.
Day 11: Proverbs 6:2
you have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth.
Day 12: Hebrews 6:19
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain
Day 13: 1 Corinthians 12:6
There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
Day 14: Exodus 35:10
All who are skilled among you are to come and make everything the Lord has commanded:
Day 15: Psalm 18:2
The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Day 16: Isaiah 12:3
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.

“Everyday, my friends who I live with ask to see the knitting I’ve done that day, and they’re really interested and get quite excited about it, especially the days with images! It’s so lovely to share it with them even though they’re not knitting one themselves. And I’ve now been asked to teach one of them how to knit!”

Day 17: Psalm 24:7
Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.
Day 18: 1 Corinthians 3:10
By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care.
Day 19: Isaiah 62:3
You will be a crown of splendor in the Lord’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:
Day 21: Romans 12:2
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

“I am getting so much from this, I am already planning to do it all again next year! Thank you. It is also lovely having this little virtual community to escape to.”

Day 22: Luke 8:15
But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.
Day 23: Proverbs 16:3
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.
Day 24: Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Day 25: Psalm 45:1
My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skilful writer.
Day 26: James 3:5
Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.
Day 27: Psalm 147:4
He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.
Day 28: Luke 3:5
Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth.
Day 29: Proverbs 3:6
in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

“You have got me back into knitting. Can’t thank you enough. I am so looking forward to sharing all of this at Vic.”

Day 30: 2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
Day 31: Jeremiah 2:7
I brought you into a fertile land to eat its fruit and rich produce. But you came and defiled my land and made my inheritance detestable.
Day 32: Proverbs 4:23
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
Day 33: Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Day 34: John 12:13
They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the king of Israel!”
Day 35: Proverbs 20:15
Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.
Day 36: Matthew 7:24
Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
Day 37: 2 Thessalonians 3:16
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.

“Knitting 12 short lines at the end of the day has been a wonderful way to rebalance after very intense days these past few weeks.”

Day 38: Maundy Thursday, John 6:54
Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.
Day 39: Good Friday, 1 Peter 2:24
“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”
Day 40: Mark 16:6
“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.

“I really appreciate the trouble you’ve gone to with getting the whole of this pattern together and linking it to bible verses. It has become a real talking point, especially with my daughter, about which bible verse I’m knitting. I also think now more than ever it is great to have something to look forward to doing each day and to be part of this group. I’m sure I’m not alone in thinking this.
It has been a wonderful thing to do this lent and I don’t think any of us knew quite how much it would mean to us when we started it back in February.”