Member's Gallery!

Hello and welcome to the Debbie Abrahams Member's Gallery!

I would like to begin by saying a big thank you to everyone who sent in photos of their completed Debbie Abrahams projects. The response to our invitation to share your creations with us has been fabulous! And it has been a complete pleasure to see what you have been busy spending your time on during the past twelve months. Included in this Gallery are not only Mystery Club projects but also many other creations that relate to Debbie Abrahams' designs. Plus there are some rather splendid Hell Bay cushion-covers which were knitted up by the lovely ladies who joined me on the trip to the Isles of Scilly back in October.

So without further ado, I am handing over to you...here goes!

Janis Smith from Quendale in Shetland, UK has been a Mystery Blanket Club member for several years, and she has not only completed the 2018 blanket, but she has made very good use of her leftover yarns and created some other very lovely projects as well...

Janis says: "Hello Debbie - here's my completed Mystery Blanket 2018! Also, some photos of my "learn to crochet' blanket made from the left over yarns of the last five blankets, plus a few African Flower squares to use up all the cotton yarns. The 2018 blanket has been a joy as always!

It is really good for us to have something that we must keep up to speed with, it's so good for our brains and finger dexterity. If we do not use it we certainly loose it. I am delighted that my brain and fingers still interact with each other!

I was asked to speak at a Guild Meeting a couple of weeks ago and amongst other things discussed the benefits of knitting and ended with the completed six Mystery Blankets and the two cushions I have done - they all thought it was amazing and all went home with your name! One of the ladies brought up the subject of short rows and the annoyance they were as she could never get them right, so I said search for Japanese Short Rows. I met her at the weekend so of course had to ask her - "Just perfect'" was the reply.

Thanks for all the inspiration."

 

Above: Janis' stunning "learn to crochet" blanket...

Below: ...and her lovely African Flower squares.

Diane Armstrong from Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire, UK has also been a Mystery Blanket Club member for many years and she was very happy to get her 2018 blanket finished before the start of the 2019 Club. She decided to make a change to the edging, which works really well...

Diane says: "Thank you for this years blanket, I am very pleased with it. I must admit to finishing the edge slightly differently, I did the Feather and Fan pattern of Option One, but all in garter stitch as I couldn't get your version to lie flat."

Below: Diane's Feather and Fan border.

Susan Bailey from Berkhamsted in Hertfordshire, UK completed her Mystery Blanket to perfection and sent in some lovely photos to share with us...

Susan says: "I have really enjoyed completing this challenge and look forward to the next!"

Above: detail of the Mask squares, perfectly joined together.

Below: detail of 'Salon' - the centrepiece of the blanket.

Kathryn Fowler from Aberdeen, UK has knitted several Mystery Blankets and has made a splendid job of Casa Batlló, finishing it off beautifully with a cotton lining...

Kathyrn says: "My 2018 blanket, Option One with Option Two edging, backed in cream cotton."

Below: Kathryn's cotton backing for the blanket with threads sewn through it to keep the two layers held together - just perfect!

Anne Parker from Kidderminster in Worcestershire, UK has knitted several Debbie Abrahams blankets, but this is her first Mystery one - and she has signed up for the 2019 blanket as well. She was thrilled to have completed Casa Batlló with an added personalistion for her granddaughter...

 

Anne says: "Thank you for this! It's my fifth blanket, four from your books and now a Mystery! I've now done one for each of my four granddaughters and hope you'll forgive a little personalisation of the design. I'd done the same for the others so...roll on next year!"

Below: a close-up of Anne's lovely personalisation of the blanket for Juliet.

Marguerite Curran from Philadelphia, Pennysylvania, USA was new to the whole "Mystery" experience, but enjoyed it so much that she has signed up to the 2019 Mystery Blanket as well!...

Marguerite says: "It is the first time I have joined the Mystery Blanket Club. I was apprehensive at the start in case I would not be able to do it, but as the months went by I got hooked on it and waited each month with anticipation for the next installment. I love the colours you incorporated into it. I have a two month break and start all over again in February. I am really looking forward to it!"

Susan Cumming from Gainesville, Florida, USA started her Mystery Blanket knitting with Nordic Adventure in 2013, and she still has the same enthusiasm for the Club that she had when she did her very first Mystery Blanket - which is marvellous!...

Susan says: "Hi, Debbie! My lovely, colorful Casa Batlló is finished. I followed all the patterns, except using French Knots on Flora and changing up the colors on the lacy border. So glad I got to attend your workshop at Hell Bay!"

Tessa Muncey from King's Lynn in Norfolk, UK completed her Mystery Blanket but it was a highly emotional journey for her...

Tessa says: "The completion of my Mystery Blanket is rather a bittersweet occasion. I started the project to give myself something to do while I sat with my ninety-nine year old mother in the afternoons. She was rather bewildered by the idea of a "mystery". She regularly asked me what I was doing - "It is a Mystery Blanket" I replied. "Who is it for?" was the next question to which I of course replied I didn’t know until it was finished. This usually was met with an "hmmm..." and a retort to the effect that in her day one always knew what you were knitting and who it was for. I say bittersweet because on October 21st she died, not unexpectedly at her advanced age but quite suddenly so sadly she never got to see the completed project. I will of course now keep it myself as a reminder of those afternoons. The photo of the blanket is spread over the conservatory chair I sat in while I knitted.

The whole project was organised magnificently. I got quite excited on the first of the month to see what was coming next and I learned many new knitting skills. I am of course signed up to the next one!"

Kerry Bloodworth from Nottingham, UK got involved with the Mystery Clubs a couple of years ago and since then has knitted several projects that have really helped to enhance all her knitting and finishing skills. She is a regular at the Mystery Club meetings at Yarn in Nottingham...

Kerry says: "Firstly I wanted to thank you for the opportunity to knit both the Mystery Cushion and Mystery Blanket, which I’ve thoroughly enjoyed making! I’ve also made several other projects including a caterpillar and a fairy using the blanket left over wool.

I think I’ve just about used all the wool from last years blanket. I’ve had great fun knitting toys (which I haven’t done before).The fairy’s skin colour is silver grey but with all the colours for the flowers I think she’s quite effective.

Looking forward to starting the 2019 blanket in a couple of weeks!"

Above: Kerry's amazing multi-coloured caterpillar!...

Below: ...and her lovely fairy. What a fabulous use of her leftover blanket yarns!

More from Kerry later on...

Lucille Tut from London, UK was brand new to the Mystery Blanket Club in 2018, but by the sounds of it she has thoroughly enjoyed her first Debbie Abrahams "Mystery" experience...

Lucille says: "Here is my Mystery Blanket that I finished just before Christmas. This is the biggest knitting project I’ve done and I’m so pleased with the result. As a first time member of the Mystery Blanket Club I’ve really enjoyed the whole process of building a blanket square by square and learning new techniques along the way. Thanks so much for all the help and advice and creating such a beautiful blanket. I’m really looking forward to the 2019 mystery blanket starting in February!"

Becky Edwards from St Neots in Cambridgeshire, UK spent some of her time knitting the Mystery Blanket while she recovered from an ankle operation - but she still managed to keep going to the end!...

 

Becky says: "My Mystery Blanket, the first I have done! I thought it would be good therapy after an ankle operation and sixteen weeks in plaster. I’ve very much enjoyed knitting with beads and the short rows, but still definitely do not like intarsia! I love the finished blanket and am inspired to visit Casa Batlló. Thank you and best wishes to you and your team for 2019!"

Janet Holdsworth from London, UK has knitted many Mystery Blankets, but this one was by far her favourite...

Janet says: "I am just deciding on the type of backing to use, otherwise this, my very favourite blanket, is completed. I mixed Options One and Two as I love Square 4 in Option Two and am not too happy with intarsia - except for the centre and adjoining squares. I was taught Feather and Fan stitch by my mum nearly sixty years ago. Great stitch with little effort required for a good result!

And this is also one of your cushion patterns adorned with lots of your beads..."

Below: another lovely knitted project from Janet - a recolour of a Debbie Abrahams cushion design with Debbie's bespoke Glace Cotton shades - splendid!

Evelyn Deasy from Dublin, Ireland was delighted to have completed her first Mystery Blanket. She learnt a lot of new skills from taking part in the project, and has signed up for the 2019 blanket too!...

Evelyn says: "I have just completed my first Mystery Blanket. I enjoyed it thoroughly, thanks a million for all the moments of discovery through 2018.

I discovered the great pleasure in blankets while knitting your Flower Power blanket which I finished in 2017. My blanket knitting goes on, I'm also knitting your Mosaic blanket, a request from one of my four sons, and I have signed up for Mystery 2019!"

Helen Jackson from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada was also new to the whole Mystery Blanket knitting experience, and was watched in awe by her partner Signy as she created her first "Mystery" masterpiece...

Signy says: "My partner has just now finished this work of art. I have been watching her create this masterpiece over the past year. What an accomplishment!!!!"

Below: Helen with her Mystery Blanket and their beloved Wiener dog.

Raewyn Bourne from Roturua, New Zealand has knitted several Mystery projects, but this one really helped to extend her knitting skills. And she's signed up to the 2019 Mystery Blanket as well...

Raewyn says: "I have finished the 2018 Mystery Blanket and what a joy it has been. I have also lined the blanket and sent you some photos of the finished project (see below). It took me a while to get used to the colours but as I came to the last few blocks I simply loved it.

I have certainly extended my knitting skills over the last year doing this project and now look forward to receiving the first mail out of yarn for the 2019 Mystery Blanket and perfecting fairisle knitting.

I am aware of another lady here in Rotorua, New Zealand who also did the 2018 Blanket. What a small world we make through the craft of knitting!"

Below: Raewyn's fabulous lining for the blanket and personal inscription.

Sue Bartlett from Congleton in Cheshire East, UK has been very busy, not only with getting her 2018 Mystery Blanket completed, but she has also embarked on several other Debbie Abrahams projects as well...all while her crafting husband Peter keeps himself busy with his crochet projects. What a busy household!...

Sue says: "Phew! Your email came through this morning just as my 2018 Mystery Blanket was about to come off the blocking boards! Completion was a bit behind as I wanted to do a longer version of your Bead Club Christmas Runner ready for Christmas Day. Sadly it wasn’t finished and blocked until New Year’s Day. So it only graced the dining room table for a few days.
I am grateful for the small breathing space as I attempt to complete my colourway version of Quiver from Kaleidoscope. I’m using leftover colours from Casa Batlló supplemented with extra balls purchased from you, and Emerald and Gold beads. This once completed will enhance our kitchen table!"

Above: Sue's amazing Christmas Runner - it will be a splendid addition to her Christmas decorations this year!

Below: 'Quiver' from Jane and Debbie's book Kaleidoscope, beautifully recoloured and in progress...

Another crafting couple, Tom and Pamela Burdon from Pocklington, York, UK have successfully completed their Mystery Blanket together, and have been so inspired by the project that they have decided to go to Barcelona themselves in March to see Casa Batlló for themselves. And take a look at the amazing Gaudi lining fabric they used to finish it off - it's totally amazing!...

Tony says: " We have just finished our 2018 blanket and have so much enjoyed making it! We thought you would like to know that we found a lovely fabric for the lining. It was a bit pricey and came from the US but it looks lovely. It's called Gaudi's Park and the colours are perfect! We have decided to go to Barcelona in March and see the casa and the park for ourselves.

It's fine that the 2019 blanket hasn't started yet. This has given time to make three of the little Ocean Waves purses in all kinds of colours and even line them with some of the leftover backing fabric. They will look very pretty and make great presents for our twin granddaughters and for Seth's mum in America! Thanks so much for such a nice pattern."

June McBain from Edinburgh, UK has been a member of all twelve of Debbie's Mystery Blanket Clubs, and has successfully completed the latest one to add to her collection. I wonder what she is doing with them all!?!...

More from June later on...

So it's back now to Kerry Bloodworth from Nottingham, UK who has not only completed her 2018 Mystery Blanket plus several other projects using her blanket leftovers, but she has also knitted the 2018 Mystery Cushion...

Anne Henderson from Cambridge, UK also took part in the 2018 Mystery Cushion Club and was rather pleased with the results...

Anne says: "It's finished & I think it’s quite beautiful!"

Below: the back of Anne's fabulous cushion-cover.

Ali Wadsley from Tequisquiapan in Mexico was thrilled to have completed her 2018 Mystery Cushion, even though it seemed to take her a long time to get to the end...

Ali says: "Hi there from sunny Mexico! I thought you might like to see my finished cushion cover! It's taken ages to finish it off, but it was worth it!"

Above: the back of Ali's lovely cushion-cover.

Below: detail of the front panel.

Penny Plumpton from Goole in Yorkshire, UK took part in her first Debbie Abrahams Mystery project and found herself trying out all sorts of different things for the first time...

Penny says: "This was my first time using mattress stitch - such concentration needed and I ended up with the squares the wrong way round! Actually first time for most things!!! "

Below: the back panel of Penny's 'Eastern Promise" Mystery Cushion.

Mary Leeson from East Leake in Loughborough, UK is constantly on the move with her knitting. And on a recent trip to Australia to catch up with her knitting pal Christine, she helped her friend complete a bedrunner inspired by Debbie's Beside The Seaside blanket from 'Blankets & Throws To Knit'...

Mary says: "I knitted the orange and gold garter stitch squares, two beige garter stitch squares, the navy striped squares and six yellow squares. Then I did the whole back in stocking stitch and garter stitch stripes - like three whole cushion backs. Everything in Cotton Glacé on 3.00mm needles. Mammoth!

The pictures were taken on Christine and John's veranda here in Queensland - it's 38 degrees C and only the second day of summer."

Below: the back of the bedrunner. Welll done Mary!

Vivian Fox from Northamptonshire, UK thought it might be a good idea to finish off her Nordic Adventure Mystery Blanket from 2013 before she took on any other projects. And what a splendid job she has made of it...

Vivian says: "Just letting you know that I've finished Nordic Adventure - hooray! I enjoyed knitting the squares, but my most favourite is the beaded star (see below) - such a simple technique, one colour stocking stitch plus hooked-in beads, but so effective. I'm sending you these photos as proof, and am about to start a 'Tortoise' discussion strand on Ravelry! (I know the embroidery is missing....I like it without)."

Above: Vivian's favourite square in Nordic Adventure, 'Snowflake'.

And finally we finish the Gallery with photos from Debbie's knitting holiday to Hell Bay on the Isle of Bryher, where over fifty knitters joined her in October for a total of ten days of fine food and drink (two five day holidays back to back) - and plenty of knitting, of course!

Debbie set a project for the holiday which was inspired by the landscape of the Isles of Scilly (photo above). It was a small cushion-cover which included lots of different knitting techniques including lace, beads, bobbles and fairisle. Not only did many of the participants successfully complete the project, but several of them decided to personalise their cushions with additional details...

Andrea Gostick from Purley in Surrey, UK joined Debbie for a second time at Hell Bay, having come to Debbie's first Isles of Scilly knitting holiday in 2017. Andrea always completes all her workshop projects, and soon after returning from the holiday, sure enough she sent in photos of her lovely Hell Bay cushion-cover, complete with personalised squares...

Above: the front of Andrea's cushion-cover with the additon of hand-made buttons made in the Isles of Scilly, and a change to the 'HELL BAY' embroidery, replaced with 'BRYHER' in beads - beautiful!

Angela Kemp from Ipswich in Suffolk, UK also joined Debbie on her Hell Bay knitting holiday for a second time and completed her cushion-cover in record time while she was still there! (although she did stay for the whole ten days!)...

Above: the front of Angela's completed cushion-cover with extra beading on the 'BRYHER' square.

Elisabeth Price from Bridford in Devon, UK was also on a repeat visit to Hell Bay, and she decided to completely bead the front panel words and not do any of Debbie's 'HELL BAY' embroidery - doesn't it work well!

Elisabeth says: "Thank you so much, I had such a lovely time, and am full of admiration for you that you manage to keep everyone happy and involved, and have again given us such a wonderful design. Mine’s a bit of a snug fit around the cushion pad I have, still, it shows off the Bryher buttons!"

Below: the back panel of Elisabeth's cushion-cover, fastened with handmade buttons bought on the island.

Coral Bell and Lorna Shephard were first-timers on the Hell Bay holiday and they both thoroughly enjoyed their Isles of Scilly experience...

Coral says: "I've completed the cushion. Loved the project. Learned lots. Thank you both for organising such a lovely trip. Very memorable for me in so many ways."

Above: the back of Coral's cushion-cover with the addition of some lovely large handmade buttons bought on the island.

Below: Lorna's cushion-cover in progress with the 'HELL BAY' embroidery replaced with family names - what a super idea!

June McBain from Edinburgh, UK very much enjoyed her second trip to Hell Bay and embraced the project with her usual fervour and enthusiasm! She embellished the front panel with an assortment of beautiful buttons which match the colours in the design perfectly... 

Pauline Keys from London, UK also opted for buttons rather than embroidery on the front panel and used these lovely large hand-made ones for decoration...

Pauline says: "I recently finished my Hell Bay cushion project and thought you might like to see how it’s turned out. I decided not to do any swiss darning or fairisle on the front and instead I used some buttons that I bought in the Bryher Gallery. I’m really pleased with how it’s turned out and it’s a lovely reminder of the trip. Thanks once again for organising and running such a fabulous workshop. The hotel and the islands were beautiful and we were so fortunate with the weather. It was lovely to catch up with people I had met at other workshops and make new friends as well."

Above: the back of Pauline's cushion-cover with more of those lovely large buttons.

Sue Simms from Kenilworth in Warwickshire, UK made a splendid job of her Hell Bay cushion-cover and was thrilled to get it completed shortly after she returned from the trip...

Sue says: "Thank you again for organising the Hell Bay event. I have enjoyed making the cushion-cover and the colour combinations and range of stitches has kept me well occupied!"

Above: the back panel of Sue's lovely Hell Bay project.

And finally, some lovely photos sent in by Julie Lavender from London, UK who joined us on the trip as a crocheter rather than a knitter. She used the contents of the knitting kit to make a crochet purse and some Christmas baubles. What a great use of all those yarns and beads!...

Above: Julie's fabulous knitted purse inspired by Jane Crowfoot's tablet design from 'Kaleidoscope' and fastened with hand-made buttons bought on the island.

Below: the back of the purse - just as stunning!

Below: crochet baubles using more of the yarns from the kit, which Julie also made while she was at Hell Bay.

 Below: and some more festive baubles using Glace Cotton yarn.

Thank you for all your wonderful photographs and stories about your Debbie Abrahams projects. They have created an amazing gallery which everyone who participated in it should be hugely proud of - so well done to you all!