Sheila Joynes

Honey Bees: No Shortage here

Here they are busy making Raspberries!

New Beaded Shawl: Sgiach Shawl by britt schmiesing

Loved making this shawl. I added 1000+ cube beads. It took me exactly two weeks from start to finish. Yarn is Madelinetosh Sock.

The Poppy

"Poppies"
Beautiful red petals of spring bursting open to expose their lovey purple sunshine!

Inishmore

I finally finished Inishmore and I am pleased with the results. Alice Starmore is an incredible designer and it was a joy to knit. The charts were easy to memorize which it was great to not rely on the charts constantly. There are 7 charts total including the ribbing design. I used Cascade 220 heathers in color # 9326 with a size 5 & 6 us needle. I knit the entire sweater from the front side using backward knitting on the wrong sides.It is size 48 and it is for my son, Todd.

Apple A Day Fingerless Mitts

Apple A Day Fingerless Mitts

New Pattern Release: "Apple A Day Fingerless Mitts"

"Seven bobbles grace the cuff of these lovely, stylish mitts.

Early spring displays of

beautiful ballerinas with pink tutus

dance in the countryside orchards!

As the air cools in the fall

red bobbles grace the branches!

 Model: Amber Bartlett

Photo: Elizabeth Bartlett

 buy now

Dump Truck Cardigan

This is one of my new designs that just came out in the latest book from 6th& Spring books. It is in the new  "60 More Quick Baby Knits" using Cascade 220 Superwash Sport.  I really need to do some more baby and children's designs. I love creating this and it was a joy to knit.

Sheila's Swan Island Lace & Cable Cowl

I fell in love with this yarn the minute I saw it. It called my name to design something that could keep me warm and cuddly but would have some stitch definition.

"Steeking" Don't Be Afraid to Cut Your Knitting!

Steeking means to cut in norwegian. I love this technique for Fair Isle. Here is my example of steeking using the Mossbank design from a Jamieson Shetland Knitting book. I love this technique for knitting vests and sweater in the round (tube). You cut between the 5th and 6th steek sts after completing the project to open the tube and then usually pick up stitches to add a border. This is especially useful in fair isle, to avoid having to purl stitches while carrying your yarn. The white thread I inserted along the edge stitches to mark my steeks for the photo. I prefer ten stitches for my steeks. Don't be afraid to cut your knitting!

 

I am in love with the yarn called Swan Island

I love this yarn Swan Island. It is  100% certified organic merino wool and alpaca blends are an inspiration. Their hues are achieved by using only natural dyestuffs, resulting in beautiful yarns with lots of variegation. I have decided to design a new cowl that I have been thinking about for awhile. I am going to use the Winterberry or Garnet. It is so soft and beautiful!!!!! I cast on this morning, so stay tuned.

Backward knitting is when you get to the end of the row, you don't turn your
work to wrong side and knit backward. So, you are inserting your left needle in
each stitch to knit it. I use it mainly for the following reasons:
Stockinette isn't quite as boring,
stitches are more even between knits and purls.
You can always see the front of your work.
I don't mind purling, but I have heard some of my students say it is great for
those that hate purling

Knitting Alice Starmore's Inishmore (Still a WIP) 2/15/2012

I have finished the back and front and will start the sleeves next. Inishmore designed by  Alice Starmore has been in my queue for a number of years. It is a beautiful sweater and I wanted to knit it from a yarn that did it justice, but was affordable. I ended up choosing Cascade 220 (nine skeins for the medium size) in a light denim blue to show off the cables. My gauge was right on using the pattern size 5 & 6 US needles. I knew when I started Inishmore that it would be a long term WIP (work in progress). Organization needed to be important for success. I made working copies of the numerous charts, cut and pasted them in order on the inside of an index file. The back of the index file was a perfect place to keep needed notes. As you can see my file got lots of use. I wanted to preserve them, so I used clear plastic tape  over the entire file. The the reusable colored tape marks my place on the charts. I used a piece of tape on each chart, moving the tape every two rows and taping right above the next two rows. I knitted the wrong side rows using the backward knitting technique, because I want the front of the work always facing toward me.   

Spit Splicing ends of your yarns together when adding new yarns or colors to your project!

Spit Splice for adding new yarn!!! (wool): (1). separate the plies, (2). fray the ends together (3) spit on the ends (4) rub the ends together in the palms of you hands just as if starting a little fire. :)

I have tried this with other natural fibers with some success.

Book Signing at "Debbie Macomber's A Good Yarn Shop"

Book Signing event, 01/24/2012 "I Can't Believe I'm Fair Isle Knitting" a step by step instrucions and techniques on Fair Isle.

Doxies In The Snow!!

Elwood and Miles in the Jan 2012 snow fall. They look like little sea otters.

It's Snowing in the Northwest

I didn't think we were going to get any snow this year, Well, guess what!!!!! 6-14 inches predicted.  I love the snow when it is fresh and new and I like that it only lasts for a short time.

Elwood experienced it for the first time. He couldn't figure out what it was. He kept smelling and getting his little black now covered in the white stuff.

NEW BOOK Alert: "I Can't Believe I'm Fair Isle Knitting" by Sheila G. Joynes

My new book just arrived! I was so excited I was shaking when the post brought it to my door! I am very pleased with the final product. It is now available through "Leisure Arts" and Debbie Macomber's A Good Yarn Shop, Amazon, Feral Knitter.  It will ship to all Joann's stores on January 4th, 2012. If you know of other shops and places to buy this book, please email me and I will add them as a source.

Details

With this thorough guidebook from Sheila G. Joynes, you can easily learn Fair Isle knitting and gradually expand your skill level while making a colorful cowl and hats for the family. Everything you need to know about Fair Isle knitting is here. As a special feature, you can personalize the color keys, making it easy to use the yarn colors of your choice. To inspire you, we've shown two color versions each for five of the six fun projects: Garden Cowl, Columbia River Ear Flap Hat, Autumn Beanie, Little Sophia's Hat, and Ginger's Slouch Hat. The final and most advanced project is Cranberry Rose Hat. Just think how thrilling it will be to say, "I can't believe I'm Fair Isle Knitting!"

 

Knitting tip: Blocking aran and cable designs: Use an old, thin flannel sheet. Put it through the rinse and spin cycle of your washing machine. Lay your nicely knitted pieces on blocking boards. Block to finished sizes and lay the damp sheet on top of them. When your sheet is dry, your pieces are nicely blocked and your cables are beautiful. :)

Addison at four weeks old!!!

Our new great grandbaby! Addison

 

 

 

Caldonia Ear Flap hat

 
 
This is a new design in the fall issue of Creative Knitting. It is one of the web bonus patterns.

   

Just mailed off my latest design to "Vogue", Soho Publishing yesterday.

I am excited to see this design in print in a new book coming out. I don't have an exact publication date, but I will keep you posted. I can't reveal too much about it, but here is a hint. It is for a child and it is a Fair Isle Cardigan.