Mystery Blanket Club 2022 - post 9, November

WELCOME TO THE PENULTIMATE INSTALMENT OF THE 2022 MYSTERY BLANKET! And hello Autumn! – always my favourite time of year. Can you believe that we are about to begin instalment number nine?!? With a total of just nine squares to complete, plus the edging, we are almost at the end of this year’s knitting adventure. But before we get to that finishing line there is still a fair amount to do, so let’s get started!

This month’s blog begins with an intro from me (I’m fully recovered and back!), followed by the written blog which includes helpful tips and advice on this month’s squares, guidance on sewing your strips together, new product launches including our Festive Mystery Knit Boxes and a lovely Autumnal project by BeadyKnits, plus there’s several stories from the members and the last but one Prize Draw. There’s plenty to catch up on so better put the kettle on and open up that packet of biscuits!...



THERE ARE NO NEW TECH VIDS THIS MONTH, but you might find vids from some of the previous blogs helpful for this month’s squares. Here is an index of them by subject and month:

• How to thread beads onto yarn MARCH
• How to bead, the slip-stitch method MARCH
• How to bead, the hooking-in method MARCH
• Razzle Dazzle: Chevron stitch MARCH
• Diamonds: T3R and T3L MARCH
• Diamonds: T2R and T2L MARCH
• How to attach a rhinestone stud to knitting MARCH
• Squares 15 & 16, Lanvin: lace stitches APRIL
• Square 36, Suave: P1tbl, K1tbl, c9b, c9f APRIL
• How to pick up stitches along a cast-off edge MAY
• How to knit the decorative slip-stitch stripe MAY
• How to pick up stitches using a long tail & ‘m1’ MAY
• The fairisle technique MAY
• How to knit the decorative beaded loop stitch MAY
• Mattress stitch (horizontal) AUGUST
• Mattress stitch (vertical) AUGUST
• Three-needle bind-off AUGUST

THE PRINTED PATTERNS HAVE BEEN POSTED BUT MAY ARRIVE A LITTLE LATE THIS MONTH. We are continuing to be affected by postal strikes in the UK and as a consequence the printed patterns took several days to arrive from the printers, despite being booked on an overnight delivery. So the overseas patterns were posted on the 25th September and the UK were posted on the 26th September. Apologies for this but fingers crossed they will arrive with you all very soon.

Every member has been sent the patterns by email but remember you can also download them from your Debbie Abrahams account.

AFTER COMPLETTING YOUR NOVEMBER SQUARES YOU WILL HAVE ANOTHER FOUR STRIPS THAT CAN BE SEWN TOGETHER, STRIPS 2 & 3, AND STRIPS 6 & 7. If you decide to crack on with this then there is some advice for how to sew them together further on in this blog. When they are sewn together it will leave just the centre strip to sew in, which is the task for next month, along with the edging. Almost there now!

THE 2023 MYSTERY BLANKET CLUB IS CLOSE TO CLOSING AS WE HAVE UNDER TWENTY MEMBERSHIPS LEFT! But if you’re quick there is still time to grab yourself a place by visiting our online shop where you can place your order today. You can choose to pay in one go or spread the cost over several months using our Splitit payment plan. It’s quick and easy to do, and within minutes you could be part of next year’s exclusive KAL with a whole new blanket project to look forward to!

Here is a reminder of what I have in store for you next year…

YARNS AND COLOURS

I am thrilled to be working with UK spinner James Laxton for this project, and together we have created a beautiful bespoke 100% Wool DK yarn especially for the blanket. Laxtons have produced yarns for three previous Mystery Blankets – Nordic Adventure, Back To The Country and One Thousand & One Nights. And this year I am absolutely delighted to be working with this wonderful team again.

I know how much you like variety in the blanket, so I have combined my bespoke yarn with a few of my favourite Rowan yarns – Felted Tweed, Alpaca Soft and Soft Yak. These yarns knit up beautifully together with my yarn and create a wonderful mixture of fibres that I have loved working with, so hopefully you love them too!

Next year the colours are bold and bright and have an Autumnal feel, with rich shades of rust red, emerald green, gold and deep turquoise included in the palette. That’s not the whole palette, there are over twelve different shades in the blanket. But it gives you some idea of what to expect. And there are plenty of my glass beads in it too, giving the blanket an extra bit of sparkle!

HOW DOES THE CLUB WORK?

It works exactly the same as this year’s Mystery Blanket Club, with each member receiving a knitting kit (which includes over thirty balls of premium quality yarn), ten sets of emailed patterns (with the option to purchase additional printed patterns), Debbie Abrahams size 6 beads and a woven label. The kit will be posted in two halves with the first one delivered in February, followed by the second one in May.

WHAT ABOUT THE DESIGN?

The theme of the blanket is a ‘mystery’ which is revealed bit by bit as more of the squares are knitted each month – that’s all part of the fun! It includes the techniques of intarsia, fairisle, lace, textured stitches, stripes and beads, offering you a feast of squares to knit up over ten months. It’s a great way to learn new knitting techniques, with my monthly online blog and knitting tech vids available for members to access throughout the whole project. So there’s plenty of help at hand. However, if you fancy an easier option, I offer a choice of two options for the trickier squares (fairisle and intarsia), enabling both novice and experienced knitters to participate in this unique knitting experience.

WHO CAN SIGN UP

Knitters from all over the world are invited to join me – this is a global project! So you will find membership packages for UK, Europe and World Zones 1, 2 and 3, with Printed Patterns being an optional extra. Tracked Delivery is mandatory on all World and European memberships but is optional for UK members.

CHOOSE TO SPREAD THE COST OF YOUR MEMBERSHIP

For those who would prefer to pay in instalments we have a new payment system in place called Splitit which enables you to choose to make your payment between 2-4 months. Simply select this option at checkout when you make your first payment and then your remaining payments will be taken automatically from your account. It’s simple, easy to use and does not incur any extra fees than if you pay in one go.

Tempted?!? It would be great to have you on board again next year so I hope you decide to join me!

THE TITLE OF THE 2022 MYSTERY BLANKET will be revealed in next month’s blog when I will talk about the inspiration for the project and how the design developed from drawing-board to knitting needles. I can’t give you any more letters in the clue this month without giving the title away, so the puzzle will stay as it did last week.

Any ideas?

_  E  C  O  / _  R  E  A  M  S

Please send your guesses to Sue. There are no prizes for the correct answer – it is simply a bit of fun each month. And if you do guess it right, with your permission we will include your name in next months’ blog which will be the final one for this year.

THERE ARE FIVE SQUARES TO KNIT THIS MONTH (with no options):

Square 19, Sauvage 2 – diagonal pattern with slip-stitch beads and twisted stitches (same for both options):

Squares 20 & 21, Lanvin 2 –striped chevrons, lace stitches and hooked-in beads (same for both options):

Square 26, Boudoir – cable pattern with hooked-in beads (same for both options):

Square 32, Chic 2 – cable pattern with hooked-in beads (same for both options):

On each pattern page there is a list of Pattern notes and tips that are worth reading before you start to knit each square. These bits of advice will help you and give pre-warnings as to what look out for in the pattern instructions. Also take note of the description under the title of each square as this tells you what the stitch structure is.

Here are a few extra tips to assist you:

SQUARE 19, Sauvage 2 – this is the fourth and final time you will knit Sauvage (or variations of it), so this should be a straightforward square to knit. The diagonal lines of twisted stitches travel towards the right, and it uses Rose and Clear beads. It’s the same as Square 31 from the June mail out.

Videos to watch for assistance with this square:

• How to thread beads onto yarn MARCH
• How to bead, the slip-stitch method MARCH
• Diamonds: T2R and T2L MARCH
• How to pick up stitches along a cast-off edge MAY
• Three-needle bind-off AUGUST

If you watch the video demo for this you will only need the instructions for T2R. This is the twist where there is no easy alternative without a cable needle (as there is for T2L).

Remember that you need to knit Squares 21 & 20 first before you knit Square 19. These squares form the top of strip 3 and are joined to Square 18 using a three-needle bind-off (see page 11 of the November mail out).

SQUARES 20 & 21, Lanvin 2: you’ve knitted these squares before, they were also in the June mail out. They are identical to what you knitted previously.

Videos to watch for assistance with these squares:

• How to bead, the hooking-in method MARCH
• Razzle Dazzle: Chevron stitch MARCH
• Squares 15 & 16, Lanvin: lace stitches APRIL

These two squares are cast on and knitted before Square 19 and form the top of strip 3.

SQUARE 24, Boudoir: this is the new square for this month, it’s a cable pattern with a bit of a difference – there are no reverse stocking stitch sections between the cables. Instead, they are positioned offset, side by side, with a group of four beads hooked into the middle of each cable.

Videos to watch for assistance with this square:

• How to bead, the hooking-in method MARCH
• Square 36, Suave: P1tbl, K1tbl, c9b, c9f APRIL
• How to pick up stitches along a cast-off edge MAY

You’ve already knitted quite a few cable patterns in this blanket, and although the cables shown in the demo for Square 36 are not the same as the cables in this square, the technique is the same – you are holding sets of stitches at either the front or the back of the work to twist them to the left or to the right. To differentiate them from the other cables in the blanket I have abbreviated them as tw4b, tw4f, tw3b, tw3f, tw2b and tw2f, the explanations for which are on page 23 of the November mail out.

Slightly smaller needles are used for this square, it’s 3.00mm rather than the suggested main needle size of 3.25mm. This will help keep the stitches neat and even and the size of the square consistent with the others in the blanket.

The pattern is given as both worded instructions and as a chart, so you can choose to follow whichever one you prefer. After picking up the stitches from Square 23 (or casting on stitches to knit it separately), you work a wrong side row with increases and then continue working from the chart on page 14 or the worded instructions on page 15.

Watch out for the stitches which are knitted through the backs of the loops on both right side and wrong side rows. These are on stitches 2, 9, 20, 25, 34, 41, 50 and 57 and are represented on the chart by a forward slant symbol (K1tbl and P1tbl in the written instructions). This will twist the stitches making the edges of the cables neater and more defined.

Just one last thing, the groups of beads are either four Pebble beads or four Bronze and Gold beads (two Bronze and two Gold). If you find it difficult to identify the Bronze and Gold beads on the chart you can use the worded instructions on page 15 to assist you.

SQUARE 32, Chic 2 – you will recognise this square from the September mail out, it’s almost the same but the cables twist towards the right instead of to the left.

Videos to watch for assistance with this square:

• How to bead, the hooking-in method MARCH blog
• Square 36, Suave: P1tbl, K1tbl, c9b, c9f APRIL blog
• How to pick up stitches along a cast-off edge MAY blog

The tech vid for Square 36 show how to work stitches through the back of the loop which neatens them up, and it also shows how to cable. The cables that are shown are different to the cables in this square, but the technique is the same. On page 22 of the November mail out you will see an explanation of c8b on right and side rows which are the cables in the square.

When you have completed this square the stitches are left on a holder or spare needle so that they can be joined to Square 33 using a three-needle bind-off. You will find instructions for this on page 17.

And that completes the squares for this month. There are just four more to knit next month and then they are all completed and your blanket is almost finished!

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME MORE SEWING UP? After completing this months’ squares you will have strips 2 and 3, and strips 5 and 6 completed which means you could get ahead and sew them together.

If you have knitted your squares separately then you will need to join these together first to create strips 2 and 3, and strips 5 and 6 (these are Squares 8-14 and 15-21, and Squares 29-35 and 36-42). If you need some guidance with this, you can use the tech vid in the August blog for horizontal mattress stitch to help you with the technique.

This is a guide to how to ease the squares together using Mattress stitch. It is important to note that these are my suggestions as to how to sew together the squares, but please feel free to use your own method and sequence if preferred.

Because the design is offset by the 2-square panels, I have given instructions as to where parts of the design need to be matched up. Therefore, markers will need to be added to the work on specific rows and then matched to the square next to it as instructed, with rows eased in as advised. When I give a reference to a row number, refer to the pattern instructions and charts to locate which row that is on your knitted square.

These instructions are based on taking the needle under 2 ‘bars’ at a time as demonstrated in the tech vid for vertical mattress stitch. To ease in a row, you will need to take your needle under one less bar on the side you are easing the rows into.

SEW STRIP 2 TO STRIP 3

Sew Square 8 (61 rows) to Square 15 (69 rows): you need to ease 8 rows of Square 15 into Square 8.

Along the edge of Square 8 place a marker on Chart Row 30.

Along the edge of Square 15 place a marker on Row 33, there are already markers placed on Row 69 (which is Chart Row 26).

Match the marker on Chart Row 30/Square 8 to the marker on Row 33/Square 15.

Beginning at Chart Row 31/Square 8 and Row 34/Square 15, match the marker on Row 69/Square 15 to the top of Square 8.

Option One: sew Square 9 (75 rows) to Square 16 (76 rows): you need to ease 1 row of Square 16 into Square 9.

Along the edge of Square 9 place a marker on Row 38, there are already markers placed on Row 75.

Along the edge of Square 16 place a marker on Row 102.

Match the marker on Row 38/Square 9 to the marker on Row 102/Square 16.

Beginning at Row 39/Square 9 and Row 103/Square 16, match the marker on Row 75/Square 9 to the top of Square 16.

Option Two: sew Square 9 (76 rows) to Square 16 (76 rows): there are no rows to ease in.

Along the edge of Square 9 place a marker on Row 38, there are already markers placed on Row 76.

Along the edge of Square 16 place a marker on Row 102.

Match the marker on Row 38/Square 9 to the marker on Row 102/Square 16.

Beginning at Row 39/Square 9 and Row 103/Square 16, match the marker on Row 76/Square 9 to the top of Square 16.

Option One: sew Square 10 (74 rows) to Square 17 (71 rows): you need to ease 3 rows of Square 10 into Square 17.

Along the edge of Square 10 place a marker on Row 115.

Along the edge of Square 17 place a marker on Chart Row 35.

Match the marker on Row 115/Square 10 to the marker on Chart Row 35/Square 17.

Beginning at Row 116/Square 10 and Chart Row 36/Square 17, match the top of Square 10 to the top of Square 17.

Option Two: sew Square 10 (75 rows) to Square 17 (71 rows): you need to ease 4 rows of Square 10 into Square 17.

Along the edge of Square 10 place a marker on Row 117.

Along the edge of Square 17 place a marker on Chart Row 35.

Match the marker on Row 117/Square 10 to the marker on Chart Row 35/Square 17.

Beginning at Row 118/Square 10 and Chart Row 36/Square 17, match the top of Square 10 to the top of Square 17.

Sew Square 11 (75 rows) to Square 18 (61 rows): you need to ease 14 rows of Square 11 into Square 18.

Along the edge of Square 11 place a marker on Row 38.

Along the edge of Square 18 place a marker on Chart Row 29.

Match the marker on Row 38/Square 11 to the marker on Chart Row 29/Square 18.

Beginning at Row 39 of Square 11 and Chart Row 30 of Square 18, match the top of Square 11 to the top of Square 18.

Option One: sew Square 12 (75 rows) to Square 19 (71 rows): you need to ease 4 rows of Square 12 into Square 19.

Along the edge of Square 12 place a marker on Row 38, there are already markers placed on Row 75.

Along the edge of Square 19 place a marker on Chart Row 35.

Match the marker on Row 38/Square 12 to the marker on Chart Row 35/Square 19.

Beginning at Row 39/Square 12 and Chart Row 36/Square 19, match the marker on Row 75/Square 12 to the top of Square 19.

Option Two: sew Square 12 (76 rows) to Square 19 (71 rows): you need to ease 5 rows of Square 12 into Square 19.

Along the edge of Square 12 place a marker on Row 38, there are already markers placed on Row 76.

Along the edge of Square 19 place a marker on Chart Row 35.

Match the marker on Row 38/Square 12 to the marker on Chart Row 35/Square 19.

Beginning at Row 39/Square 12 and Chart Row 36/Square 19, match the marker or Row 76/Square 12 to the top of Square 19.

Option One: sew Square 13 (74 rows) to Square 20 (74 rows): there are no rows to ease in.

Along the edge of Square 13 place a marker on Row 115.

Along the edge of Square 20 place a marker on Row 97, there are already markers placed on Row 67.

Match the marker on Row 115/Square 13 to the marker on Row 97/Square 20.

Beginning at Row 116/Square 13 and Row 96/Square 20, match the marker on Row 67/Square 20 to the top of Square 13.

Option Two: sew Square 13 (75 rows) to Square 20 (74 rows): you need to ease 1 row of Square 13 into Square 20.

Along the edge of Square 13 place a marker on Row 117.

Along the edge of Square 20 place a marker on Row 97, there are already markers placed on Row 67.

Match the marker on Row 117/Square 13 to the marker on Row 97/Square 20.

Beginning at Row 118/Square 13 and Row 96/Square 20, match the marker on Row 67/Square 20 to the top of Square 13.

Sew Square 14 (62 rows) to Square 21 (67 rows): you need to ease 5 rows of Square 21 into Square 14.

Along the edge of Square 14 place a marker on Chart Row 30.

Along the edge of Square 21 place a marker on Row 33.

Match the marker on Chart Row 30/Square 14 to the marker on Row 33/Square 21.

Beginning at Chart Row 31/Square 14 and Row 33/Square 21, sew Square 14 to Square 21 finishing at the cast-off edge of Square 14 and the cast-on edge of Square 21.

SEW STRIP 5 TO STRIP 6

Sew Square 29 (67 rows) to Square 36 (62 rows): you need to ease 5 rows of Square 29 into Square 36.

Along the edge of Square 29 place a marker on Row 33, there are already markers placed on Row 67.

Along the edge of Square 36 place a marker on Chart Row 30.

Match the marker on Row 33/Square 29 to the marker on Chart Row 30/Square 36.

Beginning at Row 34/Square 29 and Chart Row 31/Square 36, sew Square 29 to Square 36 finishing at the markers on Row 67 of Square 29 and at the cast-off edge of Square 36.

Option One: sew Square 30 (74 rows) to Square 37 (75 rows): you need to ease 1 row of Square 37 into Square 30.

Along the edge of Square 30 place a marker on Row 101.

Along the edge of Square 37 place a marker on Row 40, there are already markers placed on Row 75.

Match the marker on Row 101/Square 30 to the marker on Row 40/Square 37.

Beginning at Row 102/Square 30 and Row 41/Square 37, match the markers on Row 75/Square 37 to the top of Square 30.

Option Two: sew Square 30 (74 rows) to Square 37 (76 rows): you need to ease 2 rows of Square 37 into Square 30.

Along the edge of Square 30 place a marker on Row 101.

Along the edge of Square 37 place a marker on Row 40, there are already markers placed on Row 76.

Match the marker on Row 101/Square 30 to the marker on Row 40/Square 37.

Beginning at Row 102/Square 30 and Row 41/Square 37, match the markers on Row 76/Square 37 to the top of Square 30.

Option One: sew Square 31 (71 rows) to Square 38 (74 rows): you need to ease 3 rows of Square 38 into Square 31.

Along the edge of Square 31 place a marker on Chart Row 35.

Along the edge of Square 38 place a marker on Row 113.

Match the marker on Chart Row 35/Square 31 to the marker on Row 113/Square 38.

Beginning at Chart Row 36/Square 31 and Row 114/Square 38 match the top of Square 31 to the top of Square 38.

Option Two: sew Square 31 (71 rows) to Square 38 (75 rows): you need to ease 4 rows of Square 38 into Square 31.

Along the edge of Square 31 place a marker on Chart Row 35.

Along the edge of Square 38 place a marker on Row 115.

Match the marker on Chart Row 35/Square 31 to the marker on Row 115/Square 38.

Beginning at Chart Row 36/Square 31 and Row 116/Square 38 match the top of Square 31 to the top of Square 38.

Sew Square 32 (61 rows) to Square 39 (75 rows): you need to ease 14 rows of Square 39 into Square 32.

Along the edge of Square 32 place a marker on Chart Row 29.

Along the edge of Square 39 place a marker on Chart Row 38.

Match the marker on Chart Row 29/Square 32 to the marker on Row 38/Square 39.

Beginning at Chart Row 30/Square 32 and Row 39/Square 39, match the top of Square 32 to the top of Square 39.

Option One: sew Square 33 (71 rows) to Square 40 (75 rows): you need to ease 4 rows of Square 40 into Square 33.

Along the edge of Square 33 place a marker on Chart Row 35.

Along the edge of Square 40 place a marker on Row 40, there are already markers placed on Row 75.

Match the marker on Chart Row 35/Square 33 to the marker on Row 40/Square 40.

Beginning at Chart Row 36/Square 33 and Row 41/Square 40, match the marker on Row 75/Square 40 to the top of Square 33.

Option Two: sew Square 33 (71 rows) to Square 40 (76 rows): you need to ease 5 rows of Square 40 into Square 33.

Along the edge of Square 33 place a marker on Chart Row 35.

Along the edge of Square 40 place a marker on Row 40, there is already a marker placed on Row 76.

Match the marker on Chart Row 35/Square 33 to the marker on Row 40/Square 40.

Beginning at Chart Row 36/Square 33 and Row 41/Square 40, match the marker on Row 76/Square 40 to the top of Square 33.

Option One: sew Square 34 (76 rows) to Square 41 (74 rows): you need to ease 2 rows of Square 34 into Square 41.

Along the edge of Square 34 place a marker on Row 101, there are already markers on Chart Row 26.

Along the edge of Square 41 place a marker on Row 115.

Match the marker on Row 101/Square 34 to the marker on Row 115/Square 41.

Beginning at Row 100/Square 34 and Row 116/Square 41, match the marker on Chart Row 26/Square 34 to the top of Square 41.

Option Two: sew Square 34 (76 rows) to Square 41 (75 rows): you need to ease 1 row of Square 34 into Square 41.

Along the edge of Square 34 place a marker on Row 101, there are already markers on Chart Row 26.

Along the edge of Square 41 place a marker on Row 117.

Match the marker on Row 101/Square 34 to the marker on Row 117/Square 41.

Beginning at Row 100/Square 34 and Row 118/Square 41, match the marker on Chart Row 26/Square 34 to the top of Square 41.

Sew Square 35 (69 rows) to Square 42 (61 rows): you need to ease 8 rows of Square 35 into Square 3642

Along the edge of Square 35 place a marker on Row 33.

Along the edge of Square 42 place a marker on Chart Row 30.

Match the marker on Row 33/Square 35 to the marker on Chart Row 30/Square 42.

Beginning at Row 32/Square 35 and Chart Row 31/Square 42, match the top of Square 35 to the top of Square 42.

Happy sewing everyone!

FOR THE FINAL MAIL OUT YOU WILL NEED CIRCULAR NEEDLES TO KNIT THE EDGINGS AND RATHER A LOT OF STITCH MARKERS! So you could get yourself prepped and ready for it before the final mail out is sent to you. You will need:

• two circular 2.50mm (US n/a) (UK n/a) 80cm/100cm length needles
• two circular 3.25mm (US 3) (UK 10) 80cm/100cm length needles

You could get away with using one circular needle, which you will need in each of the two sizes. However, I found it easier to use two circular needles to knit each edging – I used them like two very long needles, knitting the stitches from one needle to the other (you are knitting flat, not in the round). So, it’s your decision - use whatever works best for you!

You will also need 27 stitch markers for the top and bottom edgings – that’s 27 altogether. Some of them will be used to mark stitches and others will be placed on the needle to mark out numbers of stitches. So the best markers to use are ones that you can clip onto stitches, and a second type that you can slide from one needle to another when you are instructed to ‘slip marker’. These are the markers that I used:

The ones on the left are clip markers and I used these to mark the stitches. The markers on the right are the ones that I slipped onto the needle. I love these types of markers, aren’t the beads on them pretty! Yours don’t need to be identical to these, and in fact it doesn’t matter what you use, as long as they do the job. Even oddments of yarn can be used if you can’t get hold of any markers.

NOW FOR NEWS OF A LOVELY NEW KNITTING KIT FROM BEADYKNITS! Jenny has been busy designing a set of new Cushion Cover kits, entitled 'The Four Seasons', which reflect the different colours and wildlife that each season offers us throughout the year. The cushions are similar in design but not identical as they each feature different motifs, relevant to the season.

There is also a matching pencil case available to purchase, to keep those wandering pens and pencils in one place.

Jenny has already released the kits for Spring and Summer, and the third cushion and pencil case to be launched is the 'Autumn' design. It is knitted in rich, earthy shades and incorporates the wildlife which emerge and the colours which transform our environment (see above and below).

Prices:

Autumn Cushion Cover kit: £37.00 + p&p*

Autumn Pencil Case kit: £16.00 + p&p*

Autumn Bundle (Cushion kit and Pencil Case kit): £49.00 + p&p*

*shipping costs are calculated upon order.

For more information about these kits and others in the BeadyKnits collection, contact Jenny at jenny@BeadyKnits.com.

Or you can visit her shop on Etsy: BeadyKnitsbyJenny.

Please note that these kits are not available to buy from the Debbie Abrahams Ltd website. They must be purchased directly from Jenny at BeadyKnits: jenny@beadyknits.com. Our discount vouchers cannot be used against a purchase from BeadyKnits.

THERE ARE TWO NEW PRODUCT LAUNCHES HAPPENING VERY SOON IN OUR ONLINE SHOP:

• Friday 4^th November: Festive Mystery Knit Boxes – the perfect idea for a gift or a treat for yourself. Debbie’s Mystery Box includes ten mystery gifts including a brand-new festive knitting kit;
• Friday 18^th November: Let It Snow Wall-Hanging kit – a fairisle and beaded design using Rowan Felted Tweed and Baby Cashsoft Merino in soft shades of purple, lilac and white. This was the kit that was included in the 2021 Festive Mystery Knit Box.

On Friday 18^th November we will be launching our Special Festive Promotion. You will be able to claim 10% discount on purchases of books, beads and knitting kits, including the new Let It Snow Wall-Hanging kit. The promotion will last for two weeks, so it’s the ideal time to stock up on your winter projects or buy a lovely gift for a friend or relative!

*this promotion cannot be used in conjunction with any other discounts and does not include Mystery projects.

A FEW OF YOU HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH THIS MONTH WITH YOUR OWN PROJECT NEWS, and I begin with Sophie Houston from Falkirk in Scotland, UK, who has been extremely busy knitting up not one Precious Earth blanket, but two of them! Here they are drying on the washing line – what a fabulous photo!

Sophie says: “I have kept the first Precious Earth blanket, which I finished in 2020, for myself! A very good friend was retiring last May, on her 60th birthday, and when I asked her if I could knit her something special for her retirement birthday, she answered - a blanket like yours! So that was what I did this year, starting in January, and finishing by the end of April, just in time for her all-important birthday. It was a real pleasure to make it twice, and great fun matching colours from my stash. Her blanket travels around Scotland with her and her partner in their campervan on holidays and long weekends, and even across to the Outer Isles! This weekend it will be up in Fort William, as they meet up with friends who have been doing the West Highland Way.”

What a wonderful gift for your friend Sophie, and one which will be kept and treasured forever! You must have amazing stamina to knit the same blanket twice – a feat I have never undertaken myself, so hats off to you! It is lovely to hear how well travelled the blanket is too. I am sure it’s a real comfort to your friend when she’s out on the road!

THE NEXT STORY IS AN AWARD-WINNING ONE FROM POLLY BRENNAN FROM BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS, USA. Polly entered her 2021 Mystery Blanket, One Thousand & One Nights, into the County Fair and it won first prize! Here is Polly’s blanket which she has knitted so beautifully – no wonder you won first prize Polly, well done!

Polly says: “I entered the 2021 Mystery Blanket in the County Fair. Judging is complete and my blanket has won first place and best in show!  I really enjoyed working on this project and I’ve started the 2022 Blanket. I have already placed my order for the 2023 Blanket. The designs are so beautiful. Thank you for being so creative!”

VIVIEN BURGESS FROM CHIPPENHAM IN WILTSHIRE, UK, HAS FOUND A VERY USEFUL TOOL FOR THREADING BEADS ONTO YARN. And she thought you might like to hear about it!

Vivien says: “I would just like mention a product I have found online which is brilliant for threading beads. I bought three big eye Flexi beading needles from a company called Needles2Pins. They are very fine and open out so you can put the wool through the eye which is almost the length of the needle. All you do then is thread the eye through the bead and push it down onto the wool. I don't know if anyone else is using these, so I thought I would just mention it.”

It's always great to hear about different products, and if they make life easier then I’m definitely interested! These are a fabulous needle and would be worth investing in. I have some of them and find them extremely useful. They are especially handy if the hole through the middle of the bead is a bit small. So if you are struggling with any of the beads, (Teal beads spring to mind), these could be the answer! Thanks Vivien, these are a great find!

THE LAST STORY COMES FROM JANE BOYD FROM LEIGH IN WORCESTERSHIRE, UK, WHOSE LITTLE FURRY FRIEND HAS BEEN HELPING HER WITH HER MYSTERY BLANKET! This is Bugsy Bear who as you can see is helping Jane to block and press her Mystery Blanket squares! I’ve seen many different ways to block and press knitting, but this is a new one for me!

Jane is mentoring a knitting group who are knitting this year’s Mystery Blanket as a joint project. I think this is a wonderful idea and a great way for the ladies to learn new techniques from their excellent teacher!

Jane says: “The group of four ladies I am mentoring through this year’s blanket are doing really well.  After an apprehensive start they are now all enjoying the bead work.  We have a get together at my house (I bake a cake and pour tea and coffee) at the beginning of each month and plan who is going to do which squares. We also get together on a very random basis sometimes just to sort out a problem, dish out more yarn/beads or just to have a supportive chat.  I think it’s fair to say that we’ve all learnt some new techniques. AND, as a group, they have signed up for next year’s blanket - as have I. We also have a few other keen knitters who come along.  So our get togethers are of a very knit-ad-natter social event!”

The group knitting sounds like a lot of fun and I am sure that the ladies really appreciate all of your support Jane! What a marvellous idea and a great way to learn together. Thanks for sharing!

AND FINALLY FOR THIS POSTING, THE NINTH 2022 MYSTERY BLANKET CLUB PRIZE DRAW!!! Each month a member is picked at random to win a Debbie Abrahams prize. So it is worth reading right the way to the end of each blog to see if you are that lucky member!

PRIZE DRAW NINE (NOVEMBER): this month’s winner is member 104, Angela Oliver from Calgaith in Penrith, UK. Well done Angela! Please choose a prize from the following selection:

• Your choice of one of the Rainbow Purse knitting kits: Neon, Hot or Cool (take a look at them in our online shop):
• Five packs of Debbie Abrahams Beads (size 8/0 or 6/0) from the selection on http://www.debbieabrahamsbeads.co.uk

• A £20 voucher towards a Debbie Abrahams Mystery Club membership: 2023 Mystery Cushion Club; 2023 Mystery Blanket Club (if you’ve already signed up we will give you a £20 refund)
• A ‘mystery’ bag of five small gifts.

We will notify Angela to let her know the good news!

Thank you for joining me this month, it’s been a joy to talk to you all! And after reading this blog hopefully you are fully prepped and raring to go!

We are so close to the finishing line now – it’s firmly in sight with just one more instalment to go before the 'mystery' of this year’s blanket is finally revealed. I can hardly believe that we are almost at the end of another Mystery Blanket adventure!

So now it’s time to grab your knitting needles, settle yourself down in a comfortable chair and make a start on your November squares. And all being good I will see you back here, same time, same place, at the beginning of December for the final instalment. Happy knitting everyone! Debbie x