~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading and I love sharing my projects and current reads here. I would love for you to join me every Wednesday to share a single photo of what you are knitting (or crocheting) and reading too! Share your photo on your blog, on Instagram (#yarnalong), or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us!~
I started a hat for a friend of mine a few days ago. The pattern is the Henny hat, and I think it will knit up quickly. When I am knitting gifts for non-knitters, I tend to gravitate towards superwash yarn, usually Tosh Vintage for worsted weight projects because I have knit with it a lot, and know what gauge I knit it at and how it behaves. I finished reading The Shepherd’s Life (loved it) and am trying to decide what I want my Lenten reading to be. You know, now that it’s the first day of Lent. I am contemplating The Diary of a Country Priest, but I’m not sure. Thoughts? Suggestions?
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Jan Doling says
Oh no, I have missed the Wednesday yarn along yet again. Hopefully next week when it is half term and I don’t have to work I will actually be able to do a post. I love reading and I love my crochet so this is such a good idea to combine the two. xx
Michaela says
Hi Ginny, I’ve never commented before but I love your blog. And I can’t remember if I found this book through your blog originally, so forgive me if that is the case. But I recommend the book Love & Salt: A Spiritual Friendship Shared in Letters by Amy Andrews and Jessica Griffith. It is the story of one woman converting to Catholicism and sharing her journey by letter with her sponsor/Godmother (? I’m not Catholic, I don’t remember the correct term, sorry). They are both newly married and also share joy and grief together about their families. It is such a beautiful read. Have a holy Lent!
Kwizgiver says
I love the Henny Hat–thank you for introducing me to it. 🙂
Sue says
I second the Louis De Wohl books….try The Spear!
Ady Grafovna says
I love your Wednesday yarn plus book thing. The kinky list is terrific!
Kate says
Ginny, I think you’d really like the historical novels based on the lives of saints by Louis de Wohl. The Joyful Beggar (St. Francis Assisi), Citadel of God (St. Benedict), Lay Siege to Heaven (St. Catherine of Siena), The Restless Flame (St. Augustine) are some of his books that I have enjoyed. His books are not straightforward saint biographies. The saints are characters in the books interacting with very real and very human situations and fictional characters; somewhat like “Ben Hur” but better. I think your teens would love The Joyful Beggar. I read it aloud to all my kids, despite getting choked up occasionally at certain moving scenes.
Ginny says
Thank you, Kate! I ordered The Joyful Beggar today. St. Francis is my confirmation saint. 🙂
Debbie says
I tried reading A Diary of a Country Priest several years ago and found it dark & depressing…I didn’t finish it. Maybe it would be different for me now. I’m reading The Thorny Grace of it & Other Essays for Imperfect Catholics by Brian Doyle. I enjoyed two of his novels last year and am enjoying his essays even more.
Ginny says
Thanks for the warning! The Thorny Grace of it sounds perfect for me, so I ordered a copy.
Kate says
Warning: “The Diary of a Country Priest” is pretty bleak and dark; being French is has overtones of Jansenism. You don’t need to be *that* penitential in Lent. What about “Introduction to the Devout Life” by St. Francis de Sales” or “This Tremendous Lover” by Eugene Boylan. I highly recommend any books by Hubert van Zeller (a Benedictine abbot).
Ginny says
Lent always seems to be penitential enough, even if I don’t try to make it so! Thanks for the warning about the book. Bleak and dark isn’t what I want! I have the other two books you mention and have read large portions of them. 🙂
CathieJ says
I love the color of the yarn of the hat you are knitting.
Michele F. says
I have that book but haven’t read it yet. Please let us know what you think! For Lent, I am reading A Call to a Deeper Love (the family correspondence of the parents of St. Thérese of the Child Jesus). I am also recommitting myself to the Liturgy of the Hours, although I listen to that more than read it. Have a blessed and fruitful Lent, Ginny! Looking forward to hearing you on Restore. 🙂
Barbara says
I haven’t decided what to read for Lent either. I’m thinking of starting with Pray, Hope, and Don’t Worry: True Stories About Padre Pio by Diane Allen in addition to my daily Divine Intimacy reading. One thing I know for sure is it will be one of the many books on my shelves — no buying or borrowing. I have too many that have not been read, and I’m going to buy only necessities this Lent.
Love your yarn. Do you buy locally or have a website you always go to? I bought from Jimmy Beans the other day (in anticipation of Lent and a foot surgery next week), but Madelinetosh Yarns aren’t really inexpensive any where.
Debbie says
looks like a good read….i am still on the same book and the same scarf. i am a slow knitter and a very slow reader. LOVE the color of your yarn!!!!
thanks for hosting!!!
Tracey says
It’s hard to believe today is Ash Wednesday, the days are flying.
I think you book sounds like a great read for Lent.
Your hat is quite pretty, I am such a sucker for violet 🙂
kimberlee says
That looks like a great pattern, and beautiful yarn. I have that book here somewhere and was thinking about it too. Let us know what you think of it. My daughter is currently enjoying No Life for a Lady – thanks for the recommendation. 🙂
Ginny says
I’ve decided against it after being warned by a couple of readers that it is dark and depressing. (No Life for a Lady is great!! I”m glad your daughter is enjoying it.)
Josie says
I think I am going to try to tackle Pope Benedict’s Jesus of Nazareth, Part Two Holy Week; but this is maybe the 3rd Lent I’ve been wanting to read it and then I haven’t kept it up. I am drawn to it each Lent. I suppose it would have helped if I read Part One, but I don’t even own it.:) I think I’ve gotten as far as p 23…he’s so smart I have to sit and think about each sentence:)). God bless you!
Rachell says
I must check out that hat pattern, my friend has asked for another for this year’s birthday, your looks great.
Jennifer says
That book has been on my list of books to read for years. I’ve heard so many good things about it. I’m reading The Name of God is Mercy by Pope Francis this year. It’s only 150 pages if you’re looking for something short and meaty.
Ruby says
No reading suggestions, but I hope you find something to enjoy during this Lenten season. I have had to work the last three Ash Wednesday evenings and this year marks No.4….hoping I can make services (we’re Lutheran) next year for No.5 & break this unfortunate streak.
Ginny says
This was our third year in a row not making it. 🙁 Plumbing emergency for us today. Welcome to Lent!!! Ha!
karen says
That book looks like a great read for lent. I cannot believe lent starts today seems like we just did Christmas. I have many ideas for my personal intentions. Lovely hat and I love to knit with yarns that I know my gauge, that eliminates the guessing and the thinking part of the pattern. Pick up and GO!