~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog, on Instagram (#yarnalong), or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~
I cast on for a new shawl over the weekend, and while I have to set it aside to finish the blue one, I am glad that I got started on the new one, and have it to look forward to. This is my first time to knit something with wool whose source I feel a connection to, through Kim of Vermont Grand View Farm, and her Gotland sheep. I really love the yarn itself, for its unique luster and silky feel, and I’m just really excited to be knitting with it! But first, if I knit eight rows each day for the next four days, I will finish the blue shawl for my sister! I’m pretty excited about that one too.
I’m reading Shadows of the Workhouse, and finding it to be a brutal read. I questioned for a moment whether I should continue on a night when the reading left me crying. So far I’m continuing though, as it has had the positive effect of making me feel incredibly grateful that I am never separated from my children, that I am able to care for them and love them. It is far too easy to take those things for granted.
[inlinkz_linkup id=523405 mode=1]
Gwendolyn says
I decided to get all 3 books to read and received them this week. My husband is having quite a time dealing with a difficult man at his new job so we went to bed early and I started reading to him the first book. I thought it would help him take his mind off his job. He was snoring within 10 minutes and said he slept wonderful when he woke up this morning so it worked! The books are much more detailed than I thought they would be. I guess I just thought they would gloss over the medical techniques. As I was reading the foreward of the first book, I asked my husband what a sheath was, and he said, yes, you are sheltered. So I’m sure I’ll learn a lot of different things just reading these books. Ha ha.
Sandra says
Hi, This looks fun! I have joined your Yarn Along for the first time and even worked out how to put your picture link not my post – yay! Thank you for hosting, a great way to share.
Sandra
Carole says
The third book, Farewell to the East End, is very good & more like the first one. I have Shadows of the Workhouse & whilst I don’t regret reading it I doubt I will read it again. As you say a very painful book. Her last book In the Midst of Life is about how attitudes to death have changed. It’s a very moving & thought provoking book & Jennifer Worth was a committed Christian.
Katie says
That book was hard. I read it maybe 12 months ago? I don’t really remember the bit about Sister Monica Joan being painful – it was the workhouse kids that still occasionally haunt me if I remember them. I recently read the third one, and right now I cannot even remember what it’s called, let alone its contents, but I think it was less difficult to read than the second one.
Diana Smith says
The new season has started off even better. As a person who was raised in that era it is so true to the times. I watch little TV but Call the Midwife is my Sunday evening treat.
Joyful says
Sorry I’m always late linking up. My work PC won’t load the “add your link” button… or anyones link! So I have to wait to get back home to link up… and surf! I always love to see all the beautiful shawls being knitted! I only wish I were that advanced! Take care and happy knitting!
Joyce Tucker says
I haven’t had much luck with lace shawls lately. Yours is beautiful!
Elizabeth says
sometimes just knowing you have a project waiting after the one you are working on is so consoling. That book does sound super challenging but being grateful for what we have now is so centering and of such importance…. I am going to light a candle now for you and family dear Ginny! God be with you this day!
Olivia says
Lonely Tree Shawl is great, and really fast! I kind of want one for myself….maybe in the Fall.
Melody says
I love the TV series, Call the Midwife!!! Now you’ve gotten me wanting to read the collection of books. I’ll have to check the library. The yarn is a beautiful shade of grey.
Ellie says
I love the books (that’s the Women and Gender Studies scholar in me!), they are a well written and fascinating glimpse into history … and I feel they are ever so much better than the tv series. No comparison really. The tv show is sort of a candy box version. But the books certainly are filled with strong content, and have some pretty challenging subject matter.
Sara S says
I’m a sensitive person, too, and based on my reaction to the stories about the workhouse in the first book, I am not going to read the second book. I had intrusive thoughts about the stories I read in the first, and would cry in the tub reading it. Responding strongly to something isn’t a bad thing, but I think there is a limit for people like us…we can’t shy away from everything, but there is a line. If there is a way to turn emotional despair into something productive, then that is one thing. I hang on to my copy of the first book, and know I can open it and be reminded of how blessed I am. Hug my son tighter. And remember those people, whose lives mattered. I hope they’ve found peace and rest after all they endured.
Barbara says
I, too, often find that reading books about the hardship that others endured gives me a renewed sense of gratitude for all I have!
Love your shawl. I wish I had more patience with them — they just take so long to knit. I guess I want instant gratification!
MJ says
I love the CTM TV show and also loved the first book in the trilogy. I was devastated by the second book, but also could not put it down. For almost two weeks afterwards, I had nightmares and could not sleep, thinking about those poor children and their parents. 18 months later, I think that I wish I’d never read it. It is the only book I’ve ever known that I threw away.
Ginny says
You know what? I think I am going to stop reading it. I find myself already having to force thoughts about the children whose stories I have already read out of my head. What about the second section about Sister Monica Joan? I don’t know anything about her story and am curious, unless it’s an awful story too….
MJ says
Yes, that was the hardest part for me! The thoughts of those children kept popping back into my mind. I’m afraid the Sr. Monica Joan story was the worst of all, but I could be mis-remembering.
In contrast, I *loved* the Larkrise to Candleford trilogy. It was so peaceful and painted such a vivid picture of rural and town life in England in the 19th century. I smile every time I think of it.
Ginny says
I loved Lark Rise to Candleford too. We watched the whole series through to the last season. More my speed I guess. I haven’t read the books though–maybe I didn’t realize there were books?
MJ says
If you can believe it, I think that the books were even better than the series. I love the BBC series and it’s fun to trace the similarities, but the books are very special.
I got all 3 books in one volume from Amazon.
Shelley says
Its great to work on a project that you have such a connection with, your yarn sound lush.
I’m not sure I could continue with a book that caused me to cry so much, especially before bed so well done. Kepp us posted on your progress.
Miranda says
Her books are amazing and heartbreaking all at the same time. I found it hard as I was reading to not be constantly thinking about the way the stories are in the book as opposed to how they are in the show!
Gillian says
I’ve never seen the books anywhere. I’m crocheting two blankets – one at home and one while travelling in the car (as a passenger!) I have one last row to crochet right round my new cardigan. I have to get another ball of yarn to be able to do that.
heathermama says
oh my, the book sounds heartbreaking 🙁
Ginny says
It really is!
Monique says
I did not know there was a book!! I love the series and watch it every week. I will have to look for it. 🙂
Ginny says
There is a series. I think there are four books? This is the second one. I read the first many years ago, before there was a show, and loved it!
Jennifer Miller says
I loved watching the series on PBS. I’ve not read the book though and it is on my list.
Ginny says
I really loved the first in the series, and while it was also a somewhat difficult read because of the subject matter, not as much so as this one!
Alisa says
I have some gotland roving waiting for me to spin it. Your yarn is making me think about pulling it out and getting started……just lovely! Oh how I wish for more hours in the day so we can fit in all the projects!!
karen says
I read the first of the series and enjoyed the book but the workhouse would just be awful to read about. love that you started another project!! I am knee deep in projects with little time to knit but today is the day I focus and carve out the time.
Ginny says
Karen, it really is. I preferred the first book.