Read The Amish Doll: Amish Knitting Novel (Bonus Knitting Pattern Included) for Free Online Page B

magazines with patterns in them were cheap. My sisters and I had to knit if we weren’t doing school work. “
    “What did you make?”
    “Winter things living here. Lots of sweaters, scarves, gloves. But I also crocheted, and learned to make lace that Mom put on dresses. Then when World War II started, I knit for the troops. After the war, I threw my needles out and have never knitted since.”
    “But it’s so calming.”
    “Not when you have to do it. Oh, it was fun knitting in a group, gossiping though.”
    Raven leaned closer. “I see the craft store in town has a knitting circle. Want to go?”
    Marilyn put both hands up. “No thank you. My knitting days are over.” She turned to Raven. “I’m sorry. You’re new here in town. Do you want someone to go with?”
    “No, I don’t mind going alone. But, I have so much to do to settle in. Maybe I’ll try it when the weather gets really bad.”
    Marilyn pat Raven’s knee and said she needed to stir the pot of soup she had on the stove. Raven thought of what comfort knitting was to her, but it seemed like a curse to Marilyn. All a matter of perspective, she’d learned in counseling, sure was true in this case. Knitting had kept her sane.
    ~*~
    She went to her bedroom, exhausted, but her mind raced. She hadn’t thought of her Aunt Brook and some of the foster homes she’d been in for years. She hadn’t remembered being taken from her home and put in a strange place.  Raven thought of her Amish doll her grandmother gave her. The only thing she took along with her small wardrobe.
    She picked up her knitting needles, working on another scarf. The boys would all have scarves for Christmas. But she felt like crying again, so she did. It was part exhaustion. Sleeping on the wooden bench in the Yoder’s living room kept her up half the night. How kind Eb was to come and check on her.  She’d have to thank him for all he did, not only milking the cow, but collecting eggs and tending to the other animals. How could such a nice man be shunned?
    Raven looked at the rich brown tones of the yarn, and decided right there that the scarf belonged to Eb. She had to be careful, though. Knitting was at times too calming, and she might fall asleep. I need to greet the boys when they get home and help them with homework. 
    ~*~
    Raven opened her eyes with a start; someone was pounding on her bedroom door. “Yes?”
    “It’s me, Jim. Sorry if I woke you but you have a visitor.”
    Raven looked out the window and saw twilight. She spun her head around to look at the clock, 6:16. She missed greeting the boys when they got home. I fell asleep knitting again!  “I’ll be out in a minute,” she said. She took her comb and ran it through the thick mass of curls, put on a sweater, and went out to see who had come to visit.
    When she got to the bottom of the steps the boys gathered around her, asking her if she was okay.  They said they had prayed for her in case she was sick. How they warmed her heart. She looked over at the front door and saw Joshua leaning against the wall with one arm. He looked kind as usual, but concern was on his face. His mom must be gravely ill. “How are you Joshua? How’s your mom?”
    “Ach, she’s fine. Will come home tomorrow.” His brows furrowed. “There’s something I need to talk to you about. Want to go on a buggy ride?”
    She felt famished, but maybe he needed to tell her they were pulling out of the foster program. “I’d love to.”
    “Better take a coat,” Bud said. “It gets chilly when it’s dark.”
    “ Ya , it’ll snow soon,” Timmy said. “We always get a foot of snow on Halloween.”
    They were so concerned for her, and she was here to care for them. “Thank you for reminding me. I’ll get my jacket.”
    Raven retrieved her jean jacket from her bedroom and then ran downstairs once more. She felt Joshua’s eyes heavy on her, and shyness flooded her.  He led her out to the buggy and took her hand as she stepped