HELLO AND WELCOME TO THE APRIL INSTALMENT OF THE 2022 MYSTERY BLANKET CLUB! I can hardly believe that it’s been four weeks since my last post, but here we are again, with the second instalment of patterns and all the latest club news for you to browse through. There are four squares to knit this month with some familiar stitches and patterns, but there are some new techniques to try too.
So I will begin with my intro and tech vids. There are two tech vids to help you with the April patterns, but you can also go back to the March blog if you need a reminder of any of the other techniques that were used in the first instalment:
- NEW THIS MONTH: Debbie’s intro!
- NEW THIS MONTH: Squares 15 & 16, Lanvin: lace stitches
- NEW THIS MONTH: Square 36, Suave: P1tbl, K1tbl, c9b, c9f
This is a reminder of the techniques that were covered in the March blog:
- How to thread beads onto yarn
- How to bead, the slip-stitch method
- How to bead, the hooking-in method
- Razzle Dazzle: Chevron stitch
- Diamonds: T3R and T3L
- Diamonds: T2R and T2L
- How to attach a rhinestone stud to knitting
THERE IS NO YARN PARCEL THIS MONTH - the second and final parcel of yarn and beads will be posted to you in May to arrive around the beginning of June. So you are being sent patterns only this month which you should have received by email on the 1st April.
Printed patterns for overseas members were posted on Monday 21st March, and the UK were posted on Monday 28th March.
REMEMBER TO CHECK OUT THE ADDENDUM PAGE ON MY WEBSITE BEFORE YOU BEGIN KNITTING EACH SQUARE. A few errors were picked up in the March patterns and they are listed on there. Hopefully this month will be smooth sailing and error-free, but if you do notice anything and want to query it, please get in touch and I will check it: debbie@debbieabrahams.com
TO AVOID ANY CONFUSION OVER THE SQUARES YOU HAVE KNITTED, I WOULD SUGGEST THAT YOU LABEL UP EACH ONE FOR A QUICK REFERENCE. As in all my Mystery Blanket designs there will be repeats of some of the squares, and as you progress through it and knit more of them you may not remember which is which.
It has been known for squares and strips of squares to be sewn together in the wrong order – which as you can imagine is incredibly frustrating! So a simple sticker on the back of each square (or if you are working in strips, one on the first square of each strip) will be very helpful – and could prove to be very time saving!
NEXT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE COLOURS OF YARNS AND THE COLOURS IN THE MAIL OUTS, which is something I mentioned in last month’s blog. We do our very best to match the colours of the yarns to the colours that are printed in the images and the charts. However, this is a steep challenge as different computer monitors and printers can vary quite a lot depending on their settings. So please make sure that you always go by the colour names printed in the patterns and not by looking at the images and charts. To be super sure, I would suggest that you gather together all the yarns that are listed for each square before you start to knit and put them in a bag or basket so you have them sorted before you begin. That way you can be certain that you are knitting with the right colours.
I HAVE HAD A FEW QUERIES ABOUT THE MEASUREMENT OF SQUARE 1, so I am going to explain exactly how it should be measured. This is Razzle Dazzle which has the wavy edge created by the chevron stitch. It is important that the wavy edge is stretched down and pinned out (see image below). However, the measurement of 18cm is taken from the side edge of the first stripe and NOT from the tip of the chevron. This means that the whole square is longer than 18cm if you measure from the tip. But from the side edge, where it will be seamed later on, should measure 18cm to the top of the square.
It is also worth mentioning at this point that it is important that you block and press all your squares to the same measurement that you decide is right for your knitting. Your aim is to match the tension quoted on page 3 of your mail out, which is 25 stitches and 34 rows to 10cm. However, if your tension is slightly looser or slightly tighter than this, your squares will knit up to a different size. Within reason this is fine, but it will mean that your measurement for your squares is not 18cm x 18cm, it will be smaller or bigger than this. So make a note of what it is and make sure that every square is blocked to this same size.
TENSION ISSUES! There are a lot of different stitch structures in the blanket, and sometimes this means that there is a change of needle size or a different number of stitches to cast on to achieve the correct measurement of 18cm x 18cm. However, as we all knit differently, it isn’t unusual for this to not work out for everyone, and I am hearing from some of the members that while tension using the main needle size is working out fine, some of the other needle size changes (ie, the larger needle used to knit the chevron edging on Square 1), is not working out. Therefore, if this happens to you, it is important that you correct it by changing to a needle size that achieves the correct tension, and then making sure that you make this same needle size change again if the square is repeated.
It’s a good idea to jot down any changes you make while you are knitting, and the perfect place for this is on your mail out if you’ve got a printed copy, or if you are working digitally, in a notebook. That way you will have a record you can refer back to if needed.
THE TITLE OF THE 2022 MYSTERY BLANKET is proving to be a difficult one to guess, with only one member so far guessing it correctly. So a big well done to Karen Johnston who got it right!
The title is a short one, so you may well guess it after this next clue. The letter I am giving you this month is “S”:
_ _ _ _ / _ _ _ A _ S
Please send your guesses to Sue. There are no prizes for the correct answer – it is simply a a bit of fun each month. And if you do guess it right, with your permission we will include your name in the next blog. Any ideas?!?
THERE ARE FOUR SQUARES TO KNIT THIS MONTH:
Squares 15 & 16, Lanvin – striped chevrons, lace stitches and slip-stitch beads (same for both options):
Square 17, Sauvage – diagonal pattern with slip-stitch beds and twisted stitches (same for both options):
Square 36, Suave – cable pattern with slip-stitch beads (same for both options):
There are no options to choose from this month, so everyone is knitting the same squares.
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 to 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.
You can use the video demos to help you knit your squares. But here are a few extra tips to assist you:
SQUARES 15 & 16, LANVIN: like Squares 1 and 2 from the March mail out, these two squares are knitted as one panel, as you can see on the Piecing Diagrams on page 4. Notice that it begins with the same chevron stitch pattern, but then it changes to a pretty lace stitch with beads followed by a glittery garter stitch stripe.
Videos to watch for assistance with these two squares:
- Razzle Dazzle: Chevron stitch (March blog)
- Squares 15 & 16, Lanvin: lace stitches (April blog)
- How to thread beads onto yarn (March blog)
- How to bead, the slip-stitch method (March blog)
You can choose to work the lace section of this panel from either the worded instructions on page 9 or the chart on page 11 – or you could use both if preferred. The lace pattern is created by a combination of increases and decreases which cancel each other out so that you always have 51 stitches on the needle at the end of each row. They are quite straightforward lace stitches, but if you are not sure about any of them it is best to check the Abbreviations list on page 23 of your April mail out. And if you need further guidance then there is a video in this blog that shows these lace stitches: ssk, K2tog, yo and s2kpo. The best advice I can give for maintaining a neat tension across lace stitches is to keep the yarn held tightly as you work the yo’s (yarn overs) and to slip the stitches carefully without stretching them when you work ssk and s2kpo.
There is an instruction after Rows 9 and 23, and their subsequent repeats, to change to smaller needles for five rows of purl (which creates garter stitch), so make sure you watch out for that, otherwise these rows might be too loose.
After the lace section the pattern changes to a stocking stitch and garter stitch stripe. There is a decrease on the very first row of this (Row 96) and a change to a larger needle size which both need to be followed so that you have the correct number of stitches and the correct width. From then there are needle changes for the Silver Ghost stripes and the garter stitch stripes in between.
When you have completed Squares 15 & 16 you will need to block them to the correct measurements. This is 18cm across in width and 36cm down in length. You are pinning them out in the same way that you pinned out Squares 1 & 2, beginning at the tip of each chevron and finishing at the cast-off edge. Remember that you are measuring 36cm from the beginning of the Nutkin stripe at the side edge and not from the tip of the chevrons. The zig-zag edging does need to be pinned out and stretched down to emphasise the points, but they will fall outside the 36cm measurement.
SQUARE 17, SAUVAGE: this square is either knitted separately or picked up from the cast-off edge of Square 16 and can be worked from a chart or worded instructions.
Videos to watch for assistance with this square:
- Diamonds: T3R and T3L (March blog)
- Diamonds: T2R and T2L (March blog)
- How to thread beads onto yarn (March blog)
- How to bead, the slip-stitch method (March blog)
There are no new videos for this square as it uses the same technique as Square 3 from the March patterns. It focuses on the technique of twisting stitches which all twist to the left, creating neat, diagonal lines across the whole square. In the video for T2L (twist 2 stitches to the left) I demonstrate an alternative method which does not use a cable needle. It makes the technique quicker and easier to do so it might be worth having a go if you did not try it before.
The beads in this square are knitted in using the slip-stitch method so you will need to pre-thread them following the instructions on page 12 of your April mail out.
Just watch out for the increase at the beginning after you have cast on/picked up the stitches, and the decrease at the end after Row 69. Row 70 which is the decrease row but it is not included on the chart.
Due to the high row density of this pattern, there are more rows in this square than in others. However, you should find that it knits up to the same measurements. If necessary, you can ease it into shape when blocking and pressing.
SQUARE 36, SUAVE: this square is cast on and knitted separately and can be worked from a chart or worded instructions.
Videos to watch for assistance with this square:
- Square 36, Suave: P1tbl, K1tbl, c9b, c9f (April blog)
- How to thread beads onto yarn (March blog)
- How to bead, the slip-stitch method (March blog)
The final square this month is a nine-stitch cable pattern that twists to the left and to the right. This is created by holding the stitches at the front for one cable twist, and then holding them at the back for the next twist, and alternating this all the way to the top.
The chart looks quite intense with lots of symbols (and not many blank squares!), but the key beside it tells you what the symbols mean. It’s a good idea to get yourself familiar with these before you start and to study the chart to see where they occur. Alternatively, you can use the worded instructions on page 18 instead.
The stitches on one side of each of the five cables are worked through the back of the loops (K1tbl and P1tbl) in a rib structure, and this makes the stitches look more defined and neater. Note that it is the same stitches that are worked this way all the way up the square, but as the cables twist these stitches swap to the other side of the cable.
The beads in this square are knitted in using the slip-stitch method so you will need to pre-thread them following the instructions on page 16 of your April mail out.
I would suggest that you block and press this square with the right side facing upwards. That way you can ensure that the cables are straight and not squashed down. Just a gentle pat of the reverse stocking stitch between the cables and attention to the edges is needed after spraying it with cold water.
There is a handy space for Notes on page 19 if you need to make any notes while you are knitting this square.
AT THE BEGINNING OF MARCH WE LAUNCHED OUR 2022 MYSTERY CUSHION CLUB, and we are thrilled to bits that well over half of the memberships have sold already. So thank you to everyone who has signed up to it – you’re on board for a very colourful knitting adventure this summer!
The Mystery Cushion is a much smaller project than the blanket, lasting for five months from June to October. The theme is different to the Mystery Blanket but it works in the same way with a knitting kit sent out to members at the beginning of the project and monthly emailed patterns. I write a separate blog for the Mystery Cushion as well which will include knitting technique videos, so you can get all the help and support you need as you knit along.
Above: Mystery Cushion 2017, Metropolis
2022 Mystery Blanket members get a 10% discount on their membership, and you can take advantage of this by inputting a unique code into the coupon box at checkout. If you don’t know what the code is, ping us an email and we will send you a reminder.
This year’s Mystery Cushion project is of course, as always, a ‘mystery’. However, I can tell you – without giving too much away! – that the design is very bright and colourful and therefore very different to this year’s Mystery Blanket design. It combines Rowan’s most popular yarn, Felted Tweed, with my Merino Light DK in a colour palette that is cheerful and energetic. So if you like the sound of juicy satsuma, dazzling turquoise, vivid green and shocking pink, this could be the perfect project for you to knit this summer!
Above: handmade buttons by Emma Humphries
The knitting kit includes ten balls of Rowan yarn, Debbie Abrahams Beads and bespoke buttons made by the wonderful talented button maker and designer Emma Humphries.
If you are tempted to take on this new challenge then you can sign up to the 2022 Mystery Cushion Club now in our online shop. There are packages for UK, Europe and the World, so it’s a global project and everyone is invited. But don’t delay as memberships are limited and are selling every day!
Above: Mystery Cushion 2021, Restore
If you want to spread your payment then you will have the option to pay in 2-4 instalments using our Splitit payment plan, or you can simply pay in one go. There are no admin fees for splitting your payment so you can choose whatever is easiest for you and your finances.
AND FINALLY FOR THIS POSTING, THE SECOND 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 TWO (APRIL): this month’s winner is member 183, Janet Collins from Birmingham in the UK. Well done Janet! 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: 2022 Mystery Cushion Club; 2023 Mystery Blanket Club
We will notify Janet to let her know the good news!
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog, and hopefully all the tips, advice and tech video support will help you sail through your April squares! If you have any Mystery Blanket pictures or stories to tell us about, don’t forget to send them into me at debbie@debbieabrahams.com and with your permission I will include them in the next blog. And if you think you’ve worked out what the title of the blanket is, why not have a guess to see if you are right. With seven squares revealed so far, you may have an inkling of what has inspired the design. But if you don’t, you will have to wait until next month and the next set of clues. Until then, keep safe and well and keep those needles clicking! Debbie x
