Tallitot

At Blue Feet Studio, I make each hand woven tallit (Jewish prayer shawl) with a unique atara (neck piece). The process of doing so is part of my own spiritual practice; the result becomes part of yours.

People commission a Jewish prayer shawl from Blue Feet Studio for many different reasons. Sometimes a family is choosing a special tallit for a bar or bat mitzvah. Sometimes an adult is searching for a tallit to outwardly express a new level of inner growth. People commission a prayer shawl to mark other significant passages – embarking on a new commitment, completing professional training, returning from a life-changing journey. Sometimes a group of friends will commission a tallit to honor someone special in their circle. Commissioning a hand woven tallit and choosing the text for its atara can be a way to recognize spiritual growth, strengthen a spiritual practice, or celebrate some joy. A prayer shawl woven by hand is a form of hiddur mitzvah, a way to beautify the mitzvah of wearing a tallit.

After much experimentation, I have chosen to weave with tencel. Tencel is a fiber made from wood pulp in an environmentally low-impact process that I consider eco-kosher. Tencel is fine and strong, with a natural luster. It drapes well, is lighter and cooler than wool, and is soft without being slippery like silk.

I weave each tallit on an eight-shaft loom. The body of the prayer shawl is woven in a plaited twill in white tencel. The stripes are a striking wing motif woven in two alternating colors. You may choose any two colors from the wide range available in tencel. I will send a yarn sample to confirm your choices.

Each tallit comes with an atara or neckpiece. One option is a woven band that matches the wing motif of the stripe. The other option is a Hebrew text of your choosing. A Blue Feet tallit is a unique opportunity to choose the text that belongs on your own shoulders (see Atarot).

Each prayer shawl is approximately 18" x 78". Because of the size of my looms (and the span of my arms) I do not offer a larger width. If you are seeking a double-width tallit, please look elsewhere.

I provide a set of tzitzit and instructions for tying. I encourage you to tie your own tzitzit, as a further step to making this tallit your own. If you prefer, I will tie them for you. The tallit also comes with a beautiful handwoven bag.

Price: $360, shipping included. A deposit of half is required to reserve a spot on the loom calendar; balance payable upon delivery.

Time: Each tallit takes about a month to produce, depending on loom availability and other deadlines.

Contact me about your stripe colors, atara choice and timeframe.