A Knit before Dying

by Sadie Hartwell

  “And thanks for the tip about hiring Helen, here, to run things when I’m on buying trips,” Harry added. “I have a feeling she’ll be good for business. She’s certainly prettier than I am.” Helen looked pleased.

  Harry pushed open the door. “And I won’t forget to buy as many doilies as I can find for your business. Would you like to come in before I officially open up? Lorna Fowler sent a tray of the most heavenly-looking cookies.”

  “She’ll be making a lot of cookies—and a lot of changes—at the general store,” Josie said.

  Diantha Humphries had gone to visit Alden Brewster, who was in fact at his lake house, out on bail and wearing electronic jewelry while he awaited trial. Dougie had not been so lucky. His bail had been denied, and he was currently residing at a Connecticut branch of the Graybar Hotel.

  No one knew exactly what Diantha had said to Alden, but she’d come back with Alden’s approval to sell Lorna the general store on a contract, with very low payments forgivable on his death. The first thing Lorna had done was hire a couple of part-time employees. She was now the proud possessor of a day off, every week, which she was no doubt using to come up with new and delicious recipes. But at least she now had a choice.

  Evelyn shook her head. “Thanks for the offer, but no. I need to open Miss Marple Knits to be ready for your overflow customers, Harry. Josie here is taking the morning off. Right?” She leveled a gaze at Josie that left no room for interpretation.

  “Yes, boss. Morning off,” Josie said. Evelyn had probably been a drill sergeant in a prior life. “But I’ll be back in later to see how things are going.”

  Mitch took her arm. “You’ve been holding out on me long enough, Blair. Let’s go.”

  Josie stomach fluttered, as though a carbonated drink factory had suddenly materialized inside it. She felt a rush of heat in her cheeks, and she stood there, immobile. What did they think she and Mitch had planned?

  Evelyn gave her a little shove. “Go on. Have some fun.”

  Mitch steered Josie toward his car, grinning. “I’ll have her home before noon, I promise.”

  “Don’t hurry on our account,” Evelyn called out as Mitch guided Josie into the front seat and shut the door.

  “Drive,” Josie ordered as soon as Mitch started the engine. She hugged her purse—an oversized Coach bag she’d found in Cora’s closet back at the farm—close to her body. It wasn’t much protection.

  “Your place or mine?” Mitch said, clearly amused. She was glad somebody thought this was funny.

  The choice was clear. Eb was at home, probably adding to his inventory of thingamajig sculptures. Or thinking of new and improved ways to torment Roy Woodruff. So the farmhouse was out. “Roy’s at the ham radio show at the Eastern States Exposition up in Massachusetts? You’re sure?”

  From the corner of her eye, she could see Mitch nod. “He’ll be gone all day. We’ll have the place all to ourselves. Promise.”

  Why was she so nervous about this? She was a grown woman, for the love of Wang. She took a breath and steeled herself. “Let’s do it, then.” You want this, she told herself. You need this.

  “I thought you’d never ask,” Mitch said, and pulled out from the curb.

  Twenty minutes later, they were seated, side by side, on the couch in Mitch’s living room in front of the big picture window. The couch gave a creak as he shifted his weight, then moved an afghan off the arm and onto the footstool.

  This was ridiculous. She was thirty years old. She could handle this.

  “Want a drink? I could probably find some cheese and crackers, if you’re hungry.” Mitch leaned back into the brown plaid cushions, clearly not planning to go anywhere, the food tease.

  “Let’s just get this over with,” Josie said, opening her bag and reaching inside. “I brought my own supplies.” She pulled out several items and set them in her lap. “Choose whatever strikes your fancy.”

  Mitch’s grin now stretched from ear to ear. “Really? I can have whatever I want? You’ll enjoy it, I swear.” He leaned closer so that she could feel his breath, then the soft brush of his lips on her cheek, which was now tingling. She was about to turn her head to face him, when he pulled away. Drat.

  She took a moment to compose herself. She would have kissed him. And she would have liked it, too. But there’d be time for that . . . maybe. Sometime.

  “That looks good,” he said, pointing to her lap. “And that. I’m so glad Evelyn suggested me for this job.”

  She picked up the objects. “Be gentle with me, Woodruff. It’s not easy for me to admit I can’t figure out how this stuff works.”

  Mitch put his hands over hers, and the tingle was back. And radiating to other places. He looked into her eyes. “Don’t worry. I’ve done this before.”

  “I’ll bet you have,” Josie said, wondering who he was talking about. Yup, that was a little stab of jealousy that had just poked her. You’re insane, she thought. Completely bonkers.

  Mitch’s hands moved over hers. “Put this here,” he said. “And put this here. Now hold your hand like this.” He positioned her fingers just so. His hands are so warm. I could get used to this. Her thoughts wandered . . . off topic.

  “Earth to Blair,” Mitch said. “You need to concentrate.”

  Concentrate. Yes, she could do that. “Sorry. I’ll pay attention.”

  “See that you do.” His voice was full of amusement again. He clearly knew exactly where her thoughts had been. “Now take this and wrap it around here. Good. Perfect, really.” He moved her fingers again. “Pull it out, and give this a light tug. Not too hard.”

  Josie looked down at their entwined hands, then back up at Mitch. She had no idea this simple act could be so satisfying.

  A stitch was on a knitting needle. A single, perfect, cast-on stitch.

  And she’d put it there. With a little help, of course. And she was about to do it again. Now it was her turn to grin. “How’d you learn to do this, anyway?”

  “My grandmother taught me. What do you think of this?” He pointed to the afghan he’d moved from the couch. “I made that while I was in grad school.”

  “I do like it,” Josie said. “And I might get the hang of this knitting thing after all.”

  Knitting Patterns

  SECRET MESSAGE PILLOW

  Like Bea’s doily, this pillow has a secret message knitted right into it. I’ll give you a hint: The pillow is knitted with L-O-V-E (in Morse Code).

  Requirements

  • Approximately 250 yards bulky weight, light-colored1 yarn, your choice of fiber.

  • Size 10.5 needles

  • 2 stitch markers

  • One 14-inch pillow form

  Gauge: 3 stitches equals 1 inch

  Back

  Cast on 41 stitches.

  Rows 1–90: Knit. Bind off.

  Front

  Cast on 41 stitches.

  Rows 1–13: Knit.

  Row 14: K12, P17, K12.

  Row 15: Knit.

  Row 16: Repeat Row 14.

  Row 17 (pattern row): K12, place marker, P1, P2tog, YO, P3,

  P2tog, YO, P2tog, YO, P2tog, YO, P2, P2tog, YO, P1, place marker, K12.

  Row 18: K12, P17, K12.

  Row 19: Knit.

  Row 20: K12, P17, K12.

  Rows 21–77: Repeat Rows 17–20 14 more times.

  Rows 78–90: Knit.

  Bind off.

  Finishing

  Sew three sides of knitted work. If desired, tack a 14-inch square of cloth in desired color to pillow form. Place pillow form inside knitted work, with colored side facing knitted eyelet pattern. Sew remaining side.

  EASY LACY FINGERLESS GLOVES

  These pretty fingerless gloves are perfect for cool fall or spring weather, when full gloves are too warm, or for when you need your fingers free, but still need to keep away the chill. Evelyn makes lots of these for Miss Marple Knits. Customers love them because they make lovely gifts and one size fits most.

  Requirement
s

  • Approximately 150 yards DK weight alpaca-blend yarn (Evelyn used Deerfield, from Webs, www.yarn.com)

  • 4 double-pointed needles, size 5

  • 4 stitch markers

  Gauge: 5 stitches equals 1 inch (gloves will stretch)

  Pattern Stitch

  Rows 1 and 3: Knit.

  Row 2: K2, place marker, *K2tog, YO, K1* Repeat from * 3 times, place marker, K1.

  Row 4: K2 *YO, K1, K2tog* Repeat from * 3 times, K1.

  Right Glove

  Cuff: Cast on 36 stitches using your preferred method. Place 12 stitches on each of three needles, being careful not to twist stitches. Work in K2, P2 ribbing for 3 inches.

  Row 1: Needle 1: Knit.

  Needle 2: (Thumb gusset) K6, place marker, KFB

  (knit in front and back of stitch, to increase 1), place marker, K5.

  Needle 3: Knit.

  Row 2: Needle 1: Work Row 2 of pattern stitch.

  Needle 2: K6, KFB twice, K5.

  Needle 3: Knit.

  Row 3: Knit.

  Row 4: Needle 1: Work Row 4 of pattern stitch.

  Needle 2: K6 to marker, KFB, K2, KFB, K5.

  Needle 3: Knit.

  Row 5: Knit.

  Row 6: Needle 1: Work Row 2 of pattern stitch.

  Needle 2: K6 to marker, KFB, K4, KFB, K5.

  Needle 3: Knit.

  Row 7: Knit.

  Row 8: Needle 1: Work Row 4 of pattern stitch.

  Needle 2: K6 to marker, KFB, K6, KFB, K5.

  Needle 3: Knit.

  Row 9: Knit.

  Row 10 Needle 1: Work Row 2 of pattern stitch.

  Needle 2: K6 to marker, KFB, K8, KFB, K5.

  Needle 3: Knit.

  Row 11: Knit.

  Row 12: Needle 1: Work Row 4 of pattern stitch.

  Needle 2: K6 to marker, KFB, K10, KFB, K5.

  Needle 3: Knit.

  Row 13: Knit.

  Row 14: Needle 1: Work Row 2 of pattern stitch.

  Needle 2: K6 to marker, KFB, K12, KFB, K5.

  Needle 3: Knit.

  Row 15: Knit.

  Row 16: Needle 1: Work Row 4 of pattern stitch.

  Needle 2: K6 to marker. Remove marker.

  Thumb bind off: Bind off next 14 stitches, remove marker, K5.

  Needle 3: Knit.

  Row 17: Needle 1: Knit.

  Needle 2: K6, pull yarn tight to close thumb hole securely, K6.

  Needle 3: Knit.

  Row 18: Knit.

  Row 19: Needle 1: Work Row 2 of pattern stitch.

  Needles 2&3: Knit.

  Row 20: Knit.

  Row 21: Needle 1: Work Row 4 of pattern stitch.

  Needles 2&3: Knit.

  Row 22: Knit.

  Rows 23-38: Repeat Rows 19–22 4 more times.

  Rows 39-41: Work in K1, P1 ribbing around.

  Bind off loosely in ribbing. Weave in ends.

  Left Glove

  Repeat as for Right Glove, reversing shaping: simply switch instructions for Right Glove Needle 1 and Needle 3, above. (In other words, Needle 1 will always be knit, Needle 2 will contain the thumb gusset, and the pattern stitch is worked on Needle 3.)

  BIAS-KNIT COTTON PLACEMATS

  This pattern never goes out of style, and it looks great in a cotton yarn for an everyday placemat. It’s also a good way to practice yarnovers and decreases. As soon as Josie gets a little more confident in her knitting skills by finishing a couple of scarves, this is the pattern she’s going to try. Now that Eb’s dining room table is temporarily cleared off, she’ll have a place to use them!

  Requirements

  • One skein (about 95 yards) 100% cotton yarn, such as Lily Sugar’n Cream, per placemat

  • Size 7 knitting needles

  Gauge: Not important for this project.

  Cast on 4 stitches, using your preferred method.

  Row 1:K4

  Row 2: K2, YO, K to end of row.

  Repeat Row 2 until there are 50 stitches on the needle.

  Next Row: K2, YO, K2tog, K to end of row. Repeat for 4 rows.

  Decrease Row: K1, K2tog, YO, K2tog, knit across.

  Repeat Decrease Row until there are 5 stitches on the needle.

  Bind off and weave in ends.

  These patterns are copyrighted by Sadie Hartwell and are free for your personal use. You are welcome to make and sell items made from these patterns, but Sadie would appreciate a link back to her website. You can see photos of all the projects at www.sadiehartwell.com. Sadie would love to see your projects too!

  Notes

  1 Pattern will show best with light-colored yarn.