Starting Now (44 page)
Authors: Debbie Macomber
“Phillip, I’m fine,” she said with a bit more emphasis.
He dropped the matter. Forty minutes later the curtain closed as the entire group ended with the song “Edelweiss,” and the audience was asked to join in. Phillip reached for her hand, intertwining their fingers, his rich baritone joining her soft soprano voice. Even Robin and Roy sang along.
When the curtain opened again, Ava and the young man playing the part of Captain Von Trapp stepped forward to a roaring round of applause. Libby clapped so hard her hands stung afterward.
One of the teachers stepped forward and presented Ava with the bouquet of flowers Phillip had ordered. The Von Trapps stepped behind the curtain once more.
The two couples remained seated as the auditorium emptied. As soon as she could Ava joined them, hopping down the side stairs off the stage like an eager rabbit. Libby hugged her first.
“You did a wonderful job. I was so proud of you.”
“My grandma came,” Ava said excitedly.
“I saw her bragging to one of the mothers that you were her granddaughter.”
Ava beamed. “Did she really?”
“I’m not making it up, Ava. I saw her with my own eyes.”
Ava looked to Phillip. “Thank you for the flowers.”
Phillip looked surprised. “Did we send you flowers?”
“The card said they were from Grandma, but I know they really came from you.”
Robin cleared her throat.
“And Robin and Roy, too.” Ava studied the slightly round mound of Libby’s tummy. “I can tell you’re pregnant now,” she said, smiling shyly.
“Oh, good.”
“She started wearing maternity tops at two weeks,” Robin teased.
“Robin,” Libby cried. “I most certainly did not.”
The good-natured teasing continued until Ava had to leave.
As the two couples left the school grounds, Phillip had his arm around Libby’s shoulders. “She’s going to do just fine in high school next year.”
“I believe she will, too.”
“We’re destined to have a stellar year ourselves.”
Libby smiled up at her husband. He was right. It would be a very good year indeed.
When a baby wears this hat, the long “tail” (aka, i-cord) will swish from side to side, just like the tail of a cute baby elephant. Use any two colors that grab you.
To find out where you can donate baby hats, please visit Debbie’s website at
www.debbiemacomber.com
.
SKILLS
REQUIRED
Long-tail cast-on, knit 2 together (k2tog), i-cord, joining new color, tassels
YOU
WILL
NEED
• Size 9 (5.5mm) 12- or 16-inch circular needles and set of 4 or 5 double-pointed needles
• Cascade Yarns Baby Alpaca Chunky (100% baby alpaca; 3½ oz/100g/108 yds), 1 skein each in 555 petal bloom (A) and 563 sapphire (B)
• Stitch marker
• Yarn needle
GAUGE
16 stitches and 24 rounds = 4 inches
SIZES
0–6 months (6–12 months, 1–2 years, 2 years and up)
FINISHED
CIRCUMFERENCE
12 (14, 16, 18) inches
PATTERN
With A, cast on 48 (56, 64, 72) stitches, place marker, and join to begin knitting in the round.
Work in stockinette (knit every round) until piece measures 1½ (1½, 2, 2) inches from the cast-on edge. Note: Stockinette edge will curl, so unroll for an accurate measurement.
Change to B.
Continue in stockinette stitch until piece measures 5 (5½, 6, 6½) inches from the cast-on edge.
Decreasing
Round 1:
Knit 6, k2tog. Repeat to end of round.
Round 2:
Knit.
Round 3:
Knit 5, k2tog. Repeat to end of round.
Round 4:
Knit.
Round 5:
Knit 4, k2tog. Repeat to end of round.
Round 6:
Knit.
Round 7:
Knit 3, k2tog. Repeat to end of round.
Rounds 8–13:
Knit.
Round 14:
Knit 2, k2tog. Repeat to end of round.
Rounds 15–19:
Knit.
Round 20:
Knit 1, k2tog. Repeat to end of round.
Change to A.
Rounds 22–25:
Knit.
Round 26:
K2tog. Repeat to end of round.
Continue to k2tog until only 4 stitches remain.
Transfer these 4 stitches onto a single DPN and work i-cord for 4–5 inches. Bind off all stitches.
FINISHING
With B, create a small tassel and attach it to the end of the i-cord. Wrap a length of B around the base several times. Weave in all ends to finish.
To Theresa Park
For opening doors
and broadening my perspective
D
EBBIE
M
ACOMBER
, the author of
A Turn in the Road
,
1105 Yakima Street
,
Hannah’s List
, and
Twenty Wishes
, is a leading voice in women’s fiction. Seven of her novels have hit #1 on the
New York Times
bestseller list, with three debuting at #1 on the
New York Times
,
USA Today
, and
Publishers Weekly
lists.
Mrs. Miracle
(2009) and
Call Me Mrs. Miracle
(2010) were Hallmark Channel’s top-watched movies for the year. Debbie Macomber has more than 160 million copies of her books in print worldwide.
Join Debbie in Nashville!
Debbie Macomber Fan Retreat
Presented by Random House
August 9 - August 11, 2013 in Nashville, Tennessee
In this exciting three-day destination event, gain exclusive access to Debbie’s new novel, ROSE HARBOR IN BLOOM, enjoy specially planned activities with your family and friends, and spend the weekend connecting with your favorite author.