Lisa Van Allen's Blog

Such wonderful news this past week! The Wishing Thread made the New York Times list and the USA Today list! Talk about a dream come true! It was so much fun to share the news, especially with my mom and my husband, who have always put so much faith in me even when there was little reason to. There are still mountains to climb, but this has been a wonderful burst of happiness to put new spring in my step. Thanks to everyone who has so kindly supported my writing!

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As an adult, my FAVORITE part of Halloween is roasted pumpkin seeds–only fresh seeds will do.

My husband and I feel like we’re a pretty good team on Halloween: I don’t much like to carve a pumpkin but I LOVE taking a pumpkin apart, all the goo and stuff. Matt hates gutting a pumpkin, but loves carving it. So we each do our part.

Mine always ends in delicious roasted pumpkin seeds and his ends in a scary jack-o-lantern! It’s a win win!

But there was one problem this year: I had messed the whole evening up.

I’d bought Halloween cupcakes at the store for us, paid for them, and then LEFT them there. And on top of that, I couldn’t find a pumpkin anywhere! Three places told me they had none left. I called my husband and told him the sad news, and he seemed bummed.

There goes Halloween.

I was trying to be cheery even though our plans had fallen through. My doorbell rang, and I thought maybe it was a trick or treater who got lost. But nope! It was Matt, standing with–guess what?!?–a pumpkin. He found one of the last in town. Talk about my hero! He’s always doing that–surprising me and going above and beyond. He also picked up Trader Joe’s pumpkin ice cream, which was like nothing I’ve ever had. Phenomenal. He completely saved the day and we had a great time.

Anyway…

Set oven to 400.

Clean seeds of all pulp.

Melt 1/2 stick of butter and coat seeds.

Spread on a backing sheet and sprinkle with season salt.

Roast for ten minutes, then check every 2 or 3 minutes until brownish.

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If you’ve never made this before, I HIGHLY recommend. So delicious! I only make them once a year since it’s so time consuming. But entirely worth it!

Cheers,

Lisa Van Allen

The Wishing Thread

If you want this beginner’s crochet pattern, contact me via my contact form.

When I was in the second grade, I had my tonsils out. Shortly after I came out of the anesthesia, a nurse came to my bedside and handed me a pale blue octopus made of a cardboard ball and some yarn.

I was actually confused by the whole thing. Why was I getting this awesome octopus? It wasn’t my birthday. It wasn’t Christmas. I wasn’t sure I could accept it.

The nurse assured me that I could, that the toy had been made for me by a stranger who knew that I was going to be having surgery that day and who thought I might use some cheering up. And cheer me it did! I carried that octopus around for quite a long time, until it was tattered.

Maybe that’s why I have such a fondness for homemade gifts. I think there’s good energy in making things by hand. And that’s why, this autumn, I’m heading up an event in conjunction with my church that will send handmade hats to needy newborns at an inner-city hospital here in New Jersey.

Would you like to stitch along with us?

Whether you knit or crochet, I invite and encourage you to join in.

In The Wishing Thread, the Van Ripper sisters stuff their hand-knits with magic spells and good energy. Here’s an opportunity to make a little magic of your own!

Just knit or crochet any hat that is newborn size using your favorite pattern. If you don’t have a favorite pattern, contact me via the contact form on my website and I will send you my suggestions for very easy patterns that are fit for beginners. These hats take no more than an hour to complete once you have a general idea of what you’re doing.

Just be sure that the yarn that you use is acrylic (the most common and inexpensive type of yarn), and the circumference should be approximately 14 inches.

If you like, you can donate your hat to a charity of your choosing. Or, you are welcome to send your complete hat to me at the address below, and I will donate it on your behalf.

Lisa Van Allen

PO Box 101

Rutherford NJ 07070

Please feel free to share this with any knitters or crocheters that you know. And thank you in advance for joining me!

Stay in touch with me on my Facebook page and share pictures of the baby hats that you crochet by posting them on my timeline!

I’ve been receiving a number of letters from readers asking about Icky, the hedgehog in The Wishing Thread. So I thought I would write up a post answering frequently asked questions about what it’s like to own a hedgehog.

Icky is based on my own hedgehog, Cleopatra. But believe it or not, Icky came into my life before Cleo!

Initially, the Van Ripper sisters in The Wishing Thread had a cat. It was a perfectly nice ginger cat, but something about it didn’t seem right. I thought the sisters needed a more unusual pet to fit their unusual lives in The Stitchery.

At the same time that I was working on the book, I had wanted to get a hedgehog as a pet because I was so curious about them. But I wasn’t sure if I would be able to pull it off.

So since I didn’t know if I could get a pet hedgehog, I thought “Why not give one to the Van Ripper girls?” And that’s how Icky ended up in the story. A hedgehog was the perfect pet for my three “magical” knitting sisters.

A few months later, my husband and I adopted Cleopatra. And I had plenty of material to make Icky stand out!

 What species of hedgehogs make good pets?

Wild hedgehogs in England are different than the pets people have domesticated here. The African Pygmy Hedgehog is currently the species most often bred for companionship. But breeding hedgies is still very new, so hedgehogs tend to retain their wild (and more shy/skittish) personality traits.

Where do I get a pet hedgehog?

Hedgehogs are illegal in some states. Here in New Jersey, you have to have a permit. While some pet stores are beginning to sell hedgies as pets, be sure you get yours from a good breeder.

A good breeder will help ensure that your hedgie is “nice” and won’t curl up in an angry ball of quills every time you pick her up. Trust me, that’s no fun (and it makes for intensely expensive vet bills, since there’s not much a vet can do with a hedgie that won’t uncurl).

Plus, a good hedgehog breeder will be more responsible about socializing your hedgehog early, which is HUGELY important for these human-wary animals. My little Cleo curled up in my hand and went to sleep on the day I met her–I was instantly in love.

Do the spikes come out? Do they hurt?

Hedgehogs are actually not related to porcupines, even though it looks like they should be. So, no, the spike aren’t barbed and they don’t come out. They don’t draw blood.

When Cleo was a baby her spikes were a little trickier and sharper, kind of like how human baby fingernails are like tiny razors. Now that she’s older, her “grown up quills” are slightly more dull that her baby quills. Slightly. But oh man, going through the process of her big-girl quills coming in was hellish. She was a miserable girl! It was like she was teething, but instead of teeth coming in, her quills were coming in.

This is a hedgehog half-spike. She’s irritated because I’m taking her picture. Click to enlarge and get a really good look at how neat her quills are!

You get used to handling hedgies quickly, and they get used to you. The more they trust that you’ll hold them in a way that makes them feel secure, they less likely they’ll spike. Cleo will very rarely get herself is such a tizzy that she goes into full on angry-ball-of-spikes mode. Mostly, she just half-heartedly spikes when she wants to tell me something.

In a way, Cleo’s “language” is spiking. Sometimes she spikes a little if I look at her wrong. When she was a baby, words that started with T or P made her spike up–or a good hard sneeze.

Some of it is just instinct. You know how when something comes at your eye, you blink? She’s got hair-trigger reflexes that make her fearful, since she’s a prey animal. So I have to move slowly and speak softly around her.

Do they make noise?

I sometimes think that Cleo would say she’s talking all the time but nobody listens. The trouble is that with human ears, you can barely hear her.

She makes a sort of purring sound when she’s nuzzling around a blanket or exploring. And she gives the super softest squeaks you’ll ever hear, if you put your ear right up near her.

Her most audible noise is her “I’m annoyed with you” hiss (or snuffing), usually accompanied by a half-spike maneuver. And when she’s really, really perturbed she makes this sound like a trilling motor set to idle. I’ve only heard that one a couple times–once when she was sick.

Are hedgehogs “easy” pets?

It depends on your idea of easy.

I made this C&C hedgehog cage out of shelving units and coroplast. Nice and roomy!

Learning to take good care of Cleo was difficult. There’s no real infrastructure set up for hedgehogs at pet stores–so you can’t just go and buy the right kind of cage, or the right kind of food, or the right size wheel that will not wear down her spine after a lifetime of running. I had to do a lot of research. And I’ve built Cleo’s cage (twice) from scratch. You’ve also got to find a exotic animal vet that knows about hedgies.

Plus, they are very temperature sensitive. If the temp drops below 70 they can have organ failure. And over 80 they get heat stroke, because they don’t have sweat glands.

In terms of daily work, hedgehogs need to be taken out of their cage every day. They’ll “go wild”–that is, decide to stop being friendly to you–if you leave them alone too long.

The one downside to having a hedgie is, frankly, the bathroom issue (which is an issue no matter what kind of pet you have, since all animals “go”). From what I’ve heard from others who own hedgehogs, most poop on their wheels as they’re running. Which is gross. Because then they run through it. This means nightly foot washes and regular baths.

Some are littler trained, but most owners on hedgehog forums say the wheel is the preferred place for rest stops. Cleo, however, seems to have figured out that if she aims for her little box, she doesn’t have to get a daily foot bath. And so we’re doing better with that–but it took her over a year to figure it out.

What do hedgehogs eat?

Cleo eats cat kibble prepared by her breeder (hedgehogs need a mix of different types of specific proteins, so just buying one kinds of cat food alone could be harmful over time). She also gets treats of meal worms and bits of cheese. Some hedgies are more adventurous eaters and will nibble fruits and veggies. But not my girl.

Can a hedgehog cage stay in the same room that a person is sleeping in?

I wouldn’t recommend it. First, hedgehogs are noisy because they’re nocturnal. Second, they stink when they potty. I mean–it’s impressive how much they stink. So no–I wouldn’t recommend it (or wish it on my worst enemy).

How exactly does one hang out with a hedgehog? Are they fun?

Hedgehogs sleep all day and are awake all night. So plan to hang out with a hedgie in the wee hours of the morning or after dusk.

Some hedgehogs will play with toys, but from what I’ve read, the majority won’t. Cleo’s two favorite things (when she’s outside her cage) are cuddling and exploring. You may have seen my post about the day I lost her. Oh boy.

And yes, she cuddles. She likes to wiggle into the space between my lower back and the couch cushions, and she’s not afraid to spike me a little if I move in a way she doesn’t want me to move. It doesn’t hurt; she’s just bossy. Hedgie can have the personalities of divas.

But most won’t play like a dog or even a cat.

Because they can be so sensitive, are still sort of wild, prefer late hours, and can be messy, I do not think they would make a good pet for younger kids.

Do you have a question about hedgehogs? Feel free to ask me! I’m not an expert, but I can tell you what my experience has been.

And if you haven’t already, be sure to watch for “Icky” the hedgehog in The Wishing Thread!

Cheers,

Lisa Van Allen

When autumn is in the air, my husband and I always head up to the Hudson Valley, specifically to Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow. Even though I’m not doing research on the area any more for The Wishing Thread, there’s always something new to discover and I know we’ll be going back to the area for years to come.

This year, we kicked off the autumn with a last-minute visit to the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, which is a HUGE cemetery connected to the grounds of the 17th-century Old Dutch Church.

My husband and I have walked through many graveyards and cemeteries together, sometimes formally on tours like this one, and sometimes because we just stumbled across a tiny plot tucked behind a country church.

Cemeteries tell such fascinating stories of people’s lives—and of the life of a community.

What’s amazing about the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery is the range of headstones, from the most humble and weather-worn (like Washington Irving’s small plot or Andrew Carnegie’s humble cross) to the most extravagant (like Leona Helmsley’s monumental mausoleum–apparently she wanted the biggest on the site).

The cemetery hosts different kinds tours; the one we took was the classic tour. We carried oil lamps through the grounds as the sun set and the “rock orchard” became very dark—and I learned a valuable lesson about lantern-holding.

You know the cool way people in movies hold the lanterns up by their faces? That’s just about the worst thing you could do if you want to see at night, since it instantly blinds you. Better to hold a lamp at your feet.

But here’s my impression of “the spooky figure in the graveyard with the lantern” anyway. I don’t think I make a particularly scary figure, especially when I’m happy to be on a quirky date with my husband on a fall evening. I swear it got spookier when the sun went down.

The night was dark and cool, the cemetery beautiful, eerie, and peaceful–gives a person a lot to think about. If you’re in the Tarrytown or Sleepy Hollow area, I would recommend a stop here.

QUESTION: Have you ever taken a cemetery tour or walked through an old cemetery?

Lisa Van Allen

The Wishing Thread (Ballantine 2013)

An afghan and shawl that mom crocheted that keep me cozy when I’m writing.

I’m not really a keeper. In other words, I don’t tend to hang on to things or keep things around.

I think this is a habit I got from my mother: she is always very practical about what she decides to keep for the long term and what she decides to throw away.

My mother’s sister has always been very good about gifts that she gives to people, saying “this isn’t necessarily meant to last forever.” And it’s almost a way of letting people off the hook, so that they don’t have to feel guilty about letting a particular thing go when it’s outlived its usefulness or when there just isn’t any room for it anymore.

A picture painted by a cousin when I was born. I used to make up stories about these cool cats.

That said, there are few things in my life that I can’t bring myself to throw away. And most of those things end up being handmade gifts.

Of course I keep things like pictures, and precious books, family recipes (for those days when I actually cook). But the things that I can’t seem to throw away are the things that someone took time to make.

Here are just a few of the items in my house made by other people that I’ve come to treasure.

When I went to stay with a very close friend recently, I slept in her guest room. And being there was like taking a tour of our friendship, because there were so many things there that I’d made for her over the years that she kept. And it meant so much to me that those things meant so much to her.

A magnet that my sister made for me when she was young.

I know material goods aren’t meant to last forever. And even when I knit a scarf or hat for someone, I don’t expect it to last forever. At some point it’s going to have to be pitched.

But it’s so heartwarming to look at something a person made for me and know they were thinking about me when they made it. Makes me happy every time I rediscover their craft.

QUESTION: Are you a keeper? What kind of things do you keep?

PS — If you haven’t already seen it, I’m hosting a giveaway on my Facebook page for $50 gift card to any US bookseller of your choosing. I’m still celebrating the release of The Wishing Thread, which has been receiving many kind reviews! The contest ends September 10. See you there!

Flowers to celebrate the book release from my mom’s lovely fiance. So sweet!

Hi all!

It’s been a wonderful, fun, exciting week! And to celebrate the release of The Wishing Thread, I’m hosting a contest on my Facebook page.

One randomly selected winner will receive a $50 gift card to any bookstore of their choosing.

To enter, just click here and fill out the form!

Thank you in advance for sharing this opportunity (and this page) with your friends via the Facebook button below. I’m so glad to have this opportunity to “give back” to the people who make my books possible (hint: If you’re reading this, that’s you!)

Cheers,

Lisa Van Allen

I’m so excited that the release of The Wishing Thread is just around the corner!

I’ve been in quite a tizzy these last few weeks, getting ready, making last minute preparations, talking to bloggers, etc.

The question I keep running across is, “Where did you get the idea for this book?”

Sometimes story ideas sneak up on me, with random notions popping up here and there, until I suddenly I see how they all coalesce and work together. So there’s no one single moment of “Eureka!”

But The Wishing Thread was different. It had a very specific moment of coming to life.

Many of you know that I’m a knitter (lisava on Ravelry), and when I knit a gift, I always be sure to “knit” some good energy and prayers into the stitches for the recipient.

One day, I thought: Wouldn’t it be cool if someone could knit a magic spell?

I didn’t say I was a GOOD knitter!

And bam! That was the beginning of The Wishing Thread.

Of course, that’s not a story—it’s a question. And it’s just one of the many questions that drive the book. But it was definitely the moment that I knew The Wishing Thread was a book I was meant to write.

Little by little, I discovered the story of three estranged sisters in Tarrytown who must come together to decide the fate of their family legacy: a yarn shop called The Stitchery.

But the magic of the sisters isn’t an “easy” magic. To make the Stitchery’s magic work, a person has to be prepared to make sacrifices. And that’s where things get interesting. Some people in town believe in the magic. Some think it’s just the power of suggestion at work. You—reader—will have to decide what you think.

As for me, I’m already at work on my next magical book (which is due in about two weeks, by the way). If only I could get someone to knit a magical spell for me!

Thanks so so much for your support as this book comes out. I put off writing this story for quite some time, because I wanted to truly be sure I could do it justice. It’s silly, but having it out on the shelves is going to feel so very liberating; I can’t wait to share.

NOTE: Be sure to LIKE my Facebook page to enter the giveaway I’ll be hosting there later this week.

Hope to see you there!

Lisa Van Allen

QUESTION: What’s a favorite hand-crafted item in your life?

Summer’s creeping by.

And my book release (and deadline!) are creeping closer.

Right now, my life is pretty much: write, sleep, write, eat, write, and take care of Cleo (and write).

So here’s a close up of my girl (since a close up of my dinner or my keyboard or my pillow wouldn’t be nearly as adorable).

Cheers!