Back on Blossom Street Read online

  Praise for Debbie Macomber’s Blossom Street Books

  “Debbie Macomber tells women’s stories in a way no one else does.”

  —BookPage

  “Macomber is an adept storyteller…many will be entertained by this well-paced story about four women finding happiness and fulfillment through their growing friendship.”

  —Publishers Weekly on The Shop on Blossom Street

  “Macomber is a master storyteller; any one of these characters could have been a stereotype in less talented hands. Instead, these women and their stories are completely absorbing.”

  —RT Book Reviews on The Shop on Blossom Street

  “Both knitters and non-knitters will find much joy here.”

  —BookReporter.com on The Shop on Blossom Street

  “[T]he author’s trademark warm treatment of the lives of women will satisfy her readers…. [T]his should be another Macomber bestseller.”

  —Publishers Weekly on A Good Yarn

  “Poignant story of real women with real problems becoming real friends.”

  —Booklist on A Good Yarn

  “Macomber’s latest is simply delightful.”

  —RT Book Reviews on Back on Blossom Street

  “These involving stories along with Macomber’s familiar characters continue the Blossom Street themes of friendship and personal growth that readers find so moving.”

  —Booklist on Back on Blossom Street

  “Debbie Macomber is a skilled storyteller.”

  —Publishers Weekly

  Dear Friends,

  When I wrote The Shop on Blossom Street, I didn’t intend it to be a series. However, reader response was so positive that I decided to write A Good Yarn. I’ve discovered through messages left on my Web site and from your letters that you love Blossom Street as much as I do. So here’s our third visit, Back on Blossom Street.

  Knitting is still a large part of my life—and even more so since the publication of these books. My yarn room (yes, room) is full. But what I’ve enjoyed most are the wonderful knitting friends I’ve made along the way. This book is dedicated to one, Joan McKeon (and her equally wonderful husband, Bob). Joan knits sweaters for the charity Knit for Kids and was Guideposts’ 2006 Knitter of the Year.

  I’ve included patterns in the previous Blossom Street books (for whatever Lydia’s class is knitting in the story) and Back on Blossom Street is no exception. I’m thrilled to share two patterns for prayer shawls with you, compliments of Leisure Arts and Myrna Stahman. I’m grateful to both for their generosity. I remain involved with Warm Up America! and am honored to be a board member. The craft publisher Leisure Arts has created some additional Blossom Street pattern books. As before, my share of the proceeds will be contributed to charity. Also, in association with Leisure Arts, part of my Web site, www.DebbieMacomber.com, is now devoted to my knitting friends and will offer a brand-new pattern every month. You’ll be able to download the pattern free of cost. Is that great or what?

  Visit my Web site and check out Blossom Street for yourself. There’s always something happening in the neighborhood! Lydia’s just turned over the OPEN sign at A Good Yarn, so come in, meet old friends and make new ones, catch up on everything that’s going on. Enjoy your visit!

  P.S. You can also reach me by mail at P.O. Box 1458, Port Orchard, WA 98366.

  DEBBIE MACOMBER

  Back on Blossom Street

  To

  Bob and Joan McKeon

  Treasured Friends

  KNIT TRIANGULAR PRAYER SHAWL

  Finished Size: 65" wide x 33" deep (165 cm x 84 cm)

  MATERIALS

  Bulky Weight Yarn Icon 5

  [6 ounces, 185 yards (170 grams, 169 meters) per skein]: 3 skeins 29" (73.5 cm) circular needle, size 13 (9 mm) or size needed for gauge

  GAUGE: In Garter Stitch, 10 sts and 16 rows = 4" (10 cm)

  Gauge Swatch: 4" (10 cm) square.

  Cast on 10 sts.

  Knit 16 rows.

  Bind off all sts in knit.

  SHAWL

  Cast on one st.

  Row 1: Knit into the front and the back of st (increase made): 2 sts.

  Row 2: Increase, K1: 3 sts.

  Rows 3-6: Increase, knit across: 7 sts.

  Row 7: K3, YO, knit across: 8 sts.

  Repeat Row 7 until piece measures approximately 32" (81.5 cm) from cast-on edge, ending with an even number of stitches.

  Next Row: K3, YO,*K2 tog, YO; repeat from * across to last 3 sts, K3.

  Next 4 Rows: Increase, knit across.

  Bind Off Row: K2 tog, *K1, pass second st on right needle over first st; repeat from * across to last 2 sts, K2 tog, pass second st on right needle over first st and finish off.

  Design by John Feddersen for Leisure Arts

  ALIX’S LACE PRAYER SHAWL1

  Copyright © 2006, Myrna A. I. Stahman, dba Rocking Chair Press2

  Introduction to Lace Knitting

  Many knitters are under the impression that knitting lace is difficult. It’s not—knitting lace is simply using knitting needles and yarn to connect a series of holes in a pleasing fashion. The holes are so easy to make. Just put the yarn over your right needle—voilà, you have made a hole. Often the hole made with the yarnover is paired with a decrease. The most common decrease is that of simply knitting two stitches together. When knitting two stitches together, the stitch you first place your needle into lies on top of the second stitch. For most knitters, when two stitches are knit together the stitches end up leaning to the right.

  Alix’s prayer shawl includes right-leaning decreases, the mirror image left-leaning decreases and reducing three stitches to one stitch. For a left-leaning decrease (1) insert your right needle into the next stitch on the left needle as if you are going to knit that stitch, but instead just slip that stitch onto the right needle, (2) knit the next stitch and then (3) lift up the slipped stitch and pass it over the newly made stitch. The 3-to-1 decrease combines these steps: (1) insert your right needle into the next stitch on the left needle as if to knit that stitch, but instead just slip that stitch onto your right needle, (2) knit the next two stitches together and then (3) lift up the slipped stitch and pass it over the newly made stitch.

  A great way to practice knitting the lace stitch pattern is by knitting a triangular dishcloth. Use worsted weight 100% cotton yarn and size 8 knitting needles so you can see exactly what happens with each stitch as your lace pattern develops. Knitting a dishcloth is a great way to practice casting on, the lace stitch pattern, the bottom border and the bind-off. Even if you make a few mistakes in your practice, the cloth will be fine for washing dishes.

  Shawl Instructions—The Preliminaries

  Before beginning your shawl, take these instructions, including the chart, to a copy machine and enlarge them so they are easy to read. Be sure to make the chart nice and big.

  Any yarn you enjoy working with may be used. I knit both a stockinette stitch shawl and a garter stitch shawl using Blue Moon Fiber Arts3 lightweight “Socks that Rock” yarn, and a garter stitch shawl using Haneke fingering weight merino/alpaca yarn. Either a hand-painted/variegated yarn in a colorway with low contrast and color changes every four to six inches or a solid color yarn works well when knitting lace.

  Many lace knitters prefer knitting from a chart, rather than knitting from the written word. The chart is a picture of your knitting as one looks at the public side of the shawl. The chart is read from right to left, and from the bottom to the top, just as your knitting progresses. The chart shows only the odd-numbered rows on which the pattern stitches are worked; the even-numbered rows are worked plain. By knitting from the chart you will soon learn to “read your knitting.” After a bit of practice you will be ab
le to see if something has gone wrong with your stitch pattern.

  Alix’s prayer shawl is constructed using a four-stitch beginning border, two triangles joined by a column consisting of just one stitch, and a four-stitch ending border. Each triangle begins at the point and increases in size as the shawl increases in size. Because the two lace triangles are identical, the same chart is used for each triangle.

  The chart shows one half of the shawl; it does not show the center stitch that is between and connects the two halves, nor does it show the four border stitches at the beginning of each row and at the end of each row. Work the beginning four border stitches; work the chart one time; knit the one center stitch; work the chart for a second time; work the ending four border stitches.

  The first four stitches and the last four stitches of every row form the top border of the shawl. Although it works to just knit the first stitch, I recommend the chain selvedge: (1) With the yarn in front of your working needle (2) slip the first stitch as if to purl, (3) move the yarn to the back of your work by passing it between the tips of your needles and (4) work the next three stitches; always knit the last two stitches of every row. In the written instructions the four border stitches are referred to as B4 at the beginning and the end of every row.

  I recommend using stitch markers in three places on your needle: (1) immediately after the first four border stitches; (2) immediately before the center column of stitches; and (3) immediately before the last four border stitches. Attach about a 12-inch thread to each marker; the thread keeps the marker from flying across the room if the marker accidentally jumps off the needle. The symbol ^ is used in the written instructions to show where a stitch marker is placed.

  Alix’s Stockinette Stitch Lace Prayer Shawl

  Casting On—Leaving a tail of yarn approximately 10 inches long, cast on 11 stitches.4

  Setup Row: K2, p1, k1, ^, p3, ^, k1, p1, k2. [11 sts]

  Using the Chart—Go to the chart. The chart is a picture of your knitting as you look at the public side of your work. The chart is read from right to left and from the bottom to the top. Only the odd-numbered rows, which are the public side rows, of the lace stitches of your shawl are shown on the chart. Although only three stitches are shown on row 1a of the chart, row 1a of your knitting is worked on 11 stitches, and ends with 15 stitches. The stitches not shown on the chart are: (1) the first four stitches of every row, which are the border stitches of one side of your shawl; (2) the center back stitch of your shawl; and (3) the last four stitches of every row, which are the border stitches of the other side of your shawl.

  Beginning with row 1a, and for every odd-numbered row thereafter, work B4 at the beginning of the row by slipping the first stitch as if to purl, k1, p1, k1; work the chart one time; knit one stitch; work the chart a second time; work B4 at the end of the row as k1, p1, k2. For every even-numbered row work B4, purl across to the last four stitches, work B4.

  To assist you in understanding the chart, the following detailed written instructions are given for rows 1a through 16a and 1b-4b. Every odd-numbered row is a pattern row. In every pattern row there is an increase of four stitches.

  Each increase is made by working a yarnover. One increase is made directly inside each four-stitch border and one increase is made on each side of the center back stitch. The center back stitch is written in bold.

  Row 1a: B4, place a marker on your needle, [yo, k1, yo], place a marker on your needle, k1, [yo, k1, yo], place a marker on your needle, B4. [15 sts]

  Row 2a and all even-numbered rows: B4, purl across to the last four stitches, B4.

  Row 3a: B4, ^, [yo, k3, yo], ^, k1, [yo, k3, yo], ^, B4. [19 sts]

  Row 5a: B4, ^, [yo, k5, yo], ^, k1, [yo, k5, yo], ^, B4. [23 sts]

  Row 7a: B4, ^, [yo, k7, yo], ^, k1, [yo, k7, yo], ^, B4. [27 sts]

  Row 9a: B4, ^, [yo, k9, yo], ^, k1, [yo, k9, yo], ^, B4. [31 sts]

  Row 11a: B4, ^, [yo, k11, yo], ^, k1, [yo, k11, yo], ^, B4. [35 sts]

  Row 13a: B4, ^, [yo, k13, yo], ^, k1,[yo, k13, yo], ^, B4. [39 sts]

  Row 15a: B4, ^, [yo, k15, yo], ^, k1,[yo, k15, yo], ^, B4. [43 sts]

  Row 1b: B4, ^, yo, k1, (yo, sl 1-k1-psso) three times, k3, (k2tog, yo) three times, k1, yo, ^, k1, yo, k1, (yo, sl 1-k1-psso) three times, k3, (k2tog, yo) three times, k1, yo, ^, B4. [47 sts]

  Row 3b: B4, ^, yo, k1, (yo, sl 1-k1-psso) four times, k1, (k2tog, yo) four times, k1, yo, ^, k1, yo, k1, (yo, sl 1-k1-psso) four times, k1, (k2tog, yo) four times, k1, yo, ^, B4. [51 sts]

  Continue by following the chart.

  Making the Shawl the Size Desired—Repeat rows 1d–18d as many times as necessary to make the shawl the size desired. For every 18 rows worked, the shawl increases in width by 36 stitches.

  Bottom Border, worked after completing row 18d for the final time:

  Row 1, the eyelet row: Work the four border stitches, (yo, k2tog) until you reach the pattern repeat just before the center back stitch, (yo, k2tog) eight times, (yo, k1) three times, (yo, k2tog) until just four stitches remain on your left needle, yo, work the four border stitches.

  Row 2: Work as you have worked all even-numbered rows.

  Rows 3, 5, & 7: Work in seed stitch to the center back stitch, work a closed increase by making a half-hitch on your needle with your working yarn, k1, work a closed increase, work in seed stitch to the end.

  Rows 4 & 6: Work in seed stitch.

  Row 8: Bind off, using a larger needle for your right needle.

  Wash and dress your shawl. A shawl is a knitted hug. Enjoy giving your completed lace prayer shawl to someone who is in need of a comforting hug. Knit a second shawl for yourself or for another friend.

  Alix’s Garter Stitch Lace Prayer Shawl

  Follow the instructions for the Stockinette Stitch Lace Prayer Shawl, with the following modifications. When working in garter stitch, work the setup row by knitting all stitches. B4 at the beginning of every row is slip the first stitch as if to knit, k3. B4 at the end of every row is k4. All even-numbered rows are worked as Sl1, knit across.

  CONTENTS

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  CHAPTER 9

  CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 11

  CHAPTER 12

  CHAPTER 13

  CHAPTER 14

  CHAPTER 15

  CHAPTER 16

  CHAPTER 17

  CHAPTER 18

  CHAPTER 19

  CHAPTER 20

  CHAPTER 21

  CHAPTER 22

  CHAPTER 23

  CHAPTER 24

  CHAPTER 25

  CHAPTER 26

  CHAPTER 27

  CHAPTER 28

  CHAPTER 29

  CHAPTER 30

  CHAPTER 31

  CHAPTER 32

  CHAPTER 33

  CHAPTER 34

  CHAPTER 35

  CHAPTER 36

  CHAPTER 37

  CHAPTER 38

  CHAPTER 39

  CHAPTER 40

  CHAPTER 41

  CHAPTER 1

  “One of the best kept secrets in the knitting world is that knitting lace appears to be much more difficult than it is. If you can knit, purl, knit two together and put the yarn over your needle to form a new stitch, you CAN knit lace.”

  —Myrna A.I. Stahman, Rocking Chair Press, designer, author and publisher of Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves—Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls From The Neck Down and Seamen’s Scarves, and the soon to be published The Versatility of Lace Knitting—Variations on a Theme

  Lydia Goetz

  I love A Good Yarn, and I’m grateful for every minute I spend in my shop on Blossom Street. I love looking at the skeins of yarn in all their colors and feeling the different textures. I love my knitting classes and the friends I’ve made here. I love studying the pattern books. I love gazing out my front window onto the energy
and activity of downtown Seattle. In fact, I love everything about this life I’ve found, this world I’ve built.

  Knitting was my salvation. That’s something I’ve said often, I know, but it’s simply the truth. Even now, after nearly ten years of living cancer-free, knitting dominates my life. Because of my yarn store, I’ve become part of a community of knitters and friends.

  I’m also married now, to Brad Goetz. A Good Yarn was my first real chance at life and Brad was my first chance at love. Together, Brad and I are raising our nine-year-old son. I say Cody’s our son, and he is, in all the ways that matter. I consider him as much my child as Brad’s; I couldn’t love Cody more if I’d given birth to him. It’s true he has a mother, and I know Janice does care about him. But Brad’s ex-wife is…well, I hesitate to say it, but selfish is the word that inevitably comes to mind. Janice appears intermittently in Cody’s life, whenever the mood strikes her or she happens to find it convenient—despite the parenting plan she signed when she and Brad divorced. Sadly, she only sees her son once or twice a year. I can tell that the lack of communication bothers Cody. And Janice’s cavalier attitude toward motherhood angers me, but like my son, I don’t mention the hurt. Cody doesn’t need me to defend or malign Janice; he’s capable of forming his own opinions. For a kid, he’s remarkably resilient and insightful.

  On a February morning, my store with all its warmth and color was a cozy place to be. The timer on the microwave went off; I removed the boiling water and poured it into my teapot after dropping in a couple of tea bags. The rain was falling from brooding, gray skies as it often does in winter. I decided it was time to start another knitting class. I maintain several ongoing classes and charity knitting groups, and I usually begin a new session four or five times a year.