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Also by Lisa Van Allen:

The Night Garden, October 2014
Paperback / e-Book
The Wishing Thread, September 2013
Paperback / e-Book

The Wishing Thread
Lisa Van Allen

?Reader to reader, knitter to knitter: You?re going to love this book.??Debbie Macomber

Ballantine Books
September 2013
On Sale: August 27, 2013
400 pages
ISBN: 0345538552
EAN: 9780345538550
Kindle: B00BRUQ77C
Paperback / e-Book
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Contemporary

For fans of Jennifer Chiaverini and Sarah Addison Allen, The Wishing Thread is an enchanting novel about the bonds between sisters, the indelible pull of the past, and the transformational power of love.
 
The Van Ripper women have been the talk of Tarrytown, New York, for centuries. Some say they’re angels; some say they’re crooks. In their tumbledown “Stitchery,” not far from the stomping grounds of the legendary Headless Horseman, the Van Ripper sisters—Aubrey, Bitty, and Meggie—are said to knit people’s most ardent wishes into beautiful scarves and mittens, granting them health, success, or even a blossoming romance. But for the magic to work, sacrifices must be made—and no one knows that better than the Van Rippers.
 
When the Stitchery matriarch, Mariah, dies, she leaves the yarn shop to her three nieces. Aubrey, shy and reliable, has dedicated her life to weaving spells for the community, though her sisters have long stayed away. Bitty, pragmatic and persistent, has always been skeptical of magic and wants her children to have a normal, nonmagical life. Meggie, restless and free-spirited, follows her own set of rules. Now, after Mariah’s death forces a reunion, the sisters must reassess the state of their lives even as they decide the fate of the Stitchery. But their relationships with one another—and their beliefs in magic—are put to the test. Will the threads hold?

Comments

41 comments posted.

Re: The Wishing Thread

Your book sounds really good, My Mom years ago knitted a purse it turn out very nice and she gave it to me, she made a few more too and gave them out. I do miss her knitting and crocheting. I think home made gifts are the best.
Penney
(Penney Wilfort 3:28am October 28, 2013)

I crocheted a queen size bedspread. It was made of individual squares all
joined together and large encircling it all. It took me years to make and I
gave it to my brother as a wedding present.
(Chris Coulson 6:51am October 28, 2013)

I received a crocheted afghan from an aunt twenty-four years ago for a wedding present. It is very beautiful and warm!
(Kathy Morrison 9:05am October 28, 2013)

My Mom knits afghans. I use mine all the time in the winter.
(Sandy Giden 9:20am October 28, 2013)

I am not talented to crochet or knit, lol. But I have been wanting to read this
book soooo badly!!!
(Vicki Hancock 9:21am October 28, 2013)

My Aunt crocheted a beautiful white shawl for me on my wedding day and I loved it. I also loved the name of the book. Can't wait to read it!
(Bonnie Capuano 9:23am October 28, 2013)

my mom knitted i cant i wish i could but my mom is not here
anymore. the book sounds really good cant wait to read
(Denise Smith 9:26am October 28, 2013)

I just finished knitting a bodice for a dress for my
granddaughter the skirt was material.
(Theresa Norris 9:38am October 28, 2013)

Sounds interesting...
(Richard Proctor 10:03am October 28, 2013)

I would love to read this!
(Rhonda Brittingham 10:04am October 28, 2013)

this sounds like it would be great weekend reading!
(Ron Frampton 10:20am October 28, 2013)

I teach religion, & one year a student of mine made a clay
crucifix for me!
(Maria Proctor 10:31am October 28, 2013)

I crocheted an afghan for my Mother for Christmas....almost
ruined my wrist trying to finish it in time to put it under
the tree.
(Sandra Boen 10:44am October 28, 2013)

My mother made some beautiful yarn Christmas tree decorations for me. Now every year when I put them on the tree I think of her.
(Sue Farrell 10:45am October 28, 2013)

I received a beautiful hand made cloth purse from a very
creative friend. This is a cherished gift.
(Sharon Berger 11:02am October 28, 2013)

Sounds like a great book. Thanks for the chance to win. I used to crochet Granny Square afghans and give them away to friends and family. I haven't done that in a long time.
(Nancy Reynolds 11:06am October 28, 2013)

It was wonderful reading your post!! I, too, knit and crochet, and the bulk of my work goes to friends, family, and charities. There is a young woman I know who is a close friend of the family. She became pregnant, and I know that she was struggling financially. I decided to make a layette for her upcoming baby, so I got cracking and crocheted a circular blanket, knitted a couple of baby bibs, and a beautiful 1 year sweater, along with a hat and booties. Then I boxed it all up, since I live 200 miles away, and sent it out to her. I wanted her to have something nice for the baby, and something she could cherish. I received a beautiful e-mail from her. She was so excited!! After her daughter arrived, she sent me photos in the mail of her daughter, and photos of her daughter wearing what I made for her. It was such a thrill for me knowing that she appreciated what I made for her, and knowing that she was making use of what I spent my labor of love on. I hope to be able to make more for her in the near future, but there are other people who turn to me as well, knowing the extent I go through to make sure the work turns out extra special. I'm really looking forward to reading your book, because I, too, say a prayer for the intended party whenever I'm making an item. Your book hit home with me. The cover art is spectacular!!
(Peggy Roberson 11:11am October 28, 2013)

When I was in high school, it was the
the "thing" to do..make argyle socks for your boy friend.
My friend taught me (kind of) and I worked so hard and finished a lovely pair and gifted my beau. A week later he brought them to me with a large hole in them. I did not twist the colors correctly and they finally just fell apart. Years later, I took knitting lessons and knit hats for newborns at the local hospital. It's fun just like reading is. Keep writing!
(Patricia (Pat) Pascale 12:12pm October 28, 2013)

My Grandmother taught me to knit. The last few years I have made lots of dishrags that I donate to different charities.
I love doing it.
(Barbara Wells 12:25pm October 28, 2013)

Wish I had that crafty knack to make things for folks, but,
alas, it's not in me. My aunt, however, has it and one year at
Christmas she made all her daughters-in-law and me, her only
niece, plankets - blankets that fold up into pillows - each
one the perfect colors for our homes. I use it to this day!
(Sandra Marlow 12:33pm October 28, 2013)

As one with little if any "creative" talent such as knitting or crocheting, I always admired those that do have the talent they want to share with others. My mother in law was like that. She gave each of children and grandchildren in the family that she knitted and we now look back remembering her and her being so thoughtful....we think about her whenever we coverup with one of her afgahns ( her word).
(C Culp 1:03pm October 28, 2013)

For Christmas one year my Grandmother gave me a doll with a trunk of crocheted and knit clothes
(Sheila True 1:09pm October 28, 2013)

I made a knitted chicken that looked like a chicken from
chicken run to my sister. It was really sweet because the
chicken was wearing a dress and a gingham apron and I was
really proud of how great it turned out.
(Lennette Daniels 1:20pm October 28, 2013)

When I was In third Grade my Mother made me a dark green sweater with a white square angora piece at the neck. Did I love that sweater.
(Carol Woodruff 4:19pm October 28, 2013)

My grandmother made me a cross stitch quilt and bibs for my first child. I
was able to use them for my other children as well as her eyesight wasn't
up for more small stitching.
(Michelle Schafer 4:34pm October 28, 2013)

I knit my grand son a stuffed toy
(Patricia Lambert 4:59pm October 28, 2013)

In my growing up years there were many homemade gifts given
and received. My mother crocheted and her two sisters
knitted. Unfortunately, I never learned to do either. But
agree that homemade gifts are the best because of the time
and love invested. Your book sounds lovely and I look
forward to reading it.
(LaRonda Atchison 6:15pm October 28, 2013)

My Mom made me a beautiful 6-piece crocheted doily set for my wedding.
I love the premise of your book! Thanks for the chance to win!!!
(Linda Brennan 6:39pm October 28, 2013)

When I was a little girl, I had a very talented grandmother who could sew anything. I loved all things sparkly and shiny and the one thing I really wanted was a shiny golden robe. Grandma made one for me and surprised me with it. It was one of the best/most meaningful gifts I can remember from my childhood. I wish I knew what happened to it, but it's long gone. I am such a sentimental person that now I really know the value of such a gift, but as a kid I didn't realize. Your book looks great---I hope I get a chance to read it :)
(Juli Lear 7:32pm October 28, 2013)

My grandma made me a quilt for my high school graduation. I use to bring it to her house to be washed so it would smell like her house and be like a hug from grandma at college.
(Laura Gullickson 8:21pm October 28, 2013)

I love knitting socks and sharing them with all my friends and family! I also
love reading books about knitting shops and sisters, I have three! I went
right onto amazon and bought the kindle edition! Thanks!
(Lori Hickey 8:43pm October 28, 2013)

Your book sounds great.My MOM crocheted a bed spread for me it was beautiful. Thanks for a chance to win your book.
(Linda Hall 9:02pm October 28, 2013)

I have knitted, cross stitched gifts for friends and family members for many years.
(Terri Poindexter 10:22pm October 28, 2013)

I crocheted a table cloth for my Mom a couple of years ago.
(Mary C 11:09pm October 28, 2013)

Wow, Congrats on your new book: THE WISHING THREAD. I like
the book cover too! I was blessed to reconnect with my
classmate friend Adria after a bunch of years have passed
and she came from Tulsa, OK to Austin, TX to visit me and
she brought me 2 handmade Teddy Bears. One for me and one
for my son. I am so blessed by God that we have reconnected
our friendship after all these years. I would love to win
and read your new book this Fall. Thank You very much.
Cecilia CECE
(Cecilia Dunbar Hernandez 11:48pm October 28, 2013)

My goal is to find the time to knit blankets
for gifts for friends and family, but I
haven't reached that level yet. Last year I
knitted small button-close pouches for all my
friends for Christmas. I put a gift card in
each one. They loved them, and I loved making
them for them.
(Heather Machel 4:15am October 29, 2013)

So great to hear from you all!

Quilting, knitting, and crocheting--oh my!

I have to say--it was so easy to find wonderful stories of
handmade items for The Wishing Thread. Everyone has a story.

Some of you have tackled some really big projects!! I mostly
stick to smaller things like hats, scarves, etc.

lisa van allen
(Lisa Vanallen 11:11am October 29, 2013)

It was an apron I made for my Mom to use for Christmas.
(Kai Wong 12:25pm October 30, 2013)

A knitter myself, I know the magic that we work into our
projects. I particularly like to make baby gifts and put
love into each stitch, even for the little ones I will never
meet as I knit neonatal hats for our hospital. It's the same
for the lace shawls and scarves I make for family, friends,
and the simpler warm ones for strangers who need prayer
shawls.
(Janet Martin 8:51am October 30, 2013)

Doll clothes knit by my grandma Mary kept my dolls dressed.
She also taught me how to knit and I made my size booties for
a first project. My sister and I have a photo with dotted
Swiss dresses and black velvet sash that my mom made one
holiday.
(Alyson Widen 8:15pm October 31, 2013)

I know it's too late for the contest, but I do love to knit and crochet and have made a few special tings - I crocheted my wedding dress (took two engagements!), knitted 6 shawls for a friend's second marriage, all the same pattern but different yarns; throughout the finals of this baseball season, knitted a dozen pairs of tiny Red Sox sock earrings for friends and co-workers (on size 0000 needles!), and a cap with attached beard for my daughter's rubber ducky - as long as I knitted during the games, they won!
(Beth Fuller 10:00pm October 31, 2013)