Mystery Blanket Club 2023: post 7, August

WELCOME TO THE SEVENTH INSTALMENT OF THE 2023 MYSTERY BLANKET CLUB! The summer holidays are underway here in the UK and I am looking forward to some time away with the family in between working on my Autumn/Winter projects. And if you have planned any time away, you’ll probably be keen to take your knitting with you. So this month there are another six squares to knit, which should be enough to keep you going alongside any other exciting things you are working on at the moment.

This month's blog begins with an intro vid, so it would be a good idea to tune in and give it a listen before you start knitting your August squares. Following on after that is my written blog which has even more news and updates. So make sure you give that a good read too. Time to pop the kettle on maybe…

There are no new tech vids this month, just my intro, so here goes!...

This is a reminder of the techniques that were covered in previous blogs:

• Square 8, Pixies & Nixies (both options): how to knit the decorative slip-stitch (February)
• Square 8, Pixies & Nixies (Option One): the Fairisle technique (February)
• How to knit the decorative loop stitch (February)
• How to bead, the hooking-in method (February)
• How to carry yarns up the side of the work (February)
• How to pick up stitches along a cast-off edge (February)
• Mattress stitch (horizontal) (February)
• How to cable (February)
• How to knit a contrast-coloured bobble (February)
• Square 16, Forager: how to knit the exaggerated decorative purl stitch (February)
• Understanding lace stitches (March)
• How to thread beads onto your yarn (March)
• How to bead, the slip-stitch method (March)
• The intarsia technique (March)
• How to add Chain stitch to your knitting (March)
• How to add Swiss darning to knitting (March)
• How to pick up stitches along a cast-off edge using several colours (April)
• Square 23, Dragonfly: Option Two (Rows 1-7) (June)

THE PRINTED PATTERNS HAVE BEEN POSTED TO THE MEMBERS WHO OPTED FOR THEM, with the overseas sent on Thursday 20^th July and the UK on Thursday 27^th July.

WHEN THERE IS AN OPTION IN THE BLANKET SQUARES, IT IS IMPORTANT TO LOOK BACK AT YOUR PREVIOUS CHOICES AS THEY MAY AFFECT SOME OF YOUR FUTURE CHOICES. You will notice that when I talk about the squares in the blog (and in my intro vid this month), when there is an option I have started to recommend which one, if any, you should choose. This is based on the previous squares you have knitted and is important to follow if you want symmetry in your overall blanket design. It’s how I prefer to work - I’m not good at random! However, if this is something that really does not bother you then feel free to choose whatever takes your fancy, regardless of what you’ve knitted before. I’m not brave enough for that, but if you are then go for it!

WHEN TO HOOK IN A BEAD, WHEN TO SLIP STITCH A BEAD? This is the question, and one that I have been asked a lot recently. Why do I hook in some beads and use the slip stitch technique for others? Is there a difference and does it really matter which one is used? The answer to that is pretty simple - yes, in most cases it does matter. And this is why.

The slip stitch technique condenses down the row tension, which if you think about it makes perfect sense as you are slipping each stitch where a bead is placed, so these stitches are not actually knitted. Whereas the hooking-in technique extends the row tension as stitches are pulled off the needle and stretched when the beads are hooked in. So this is the first reason I would give - it affects row tension, and the more beads in a square, the more significant the difference is.

Above: hooked-in beading.

Another reason is to do with the bead pattern and how closely together the beads are positioned. If you use the hooking-in technique you can add in beads next to each other on every stitch and every row, if you so wish, making it ideal for outlines, diagonals and horizontal and vertical lines. However, this is impossible to do using the slip stitch technique as you need at least one stitch and one row between each bead, so this technique reduces the scope of what you can do.

Above: slip-stitch beading.

So if you are thinking about changing the technique that you are instructed to use in a beaded pattern, think very carefully about it. On Square 41, Toadstools (Option One) this month, it doesn’t really matter which technique you use for any of the beads because they are scattered randomly on the toadstools. But for the second option, Square 41, Toadstool, it does matter as there is an overall beaded repeat pattern and a lot of beads.

It is always safest to use the technique I have instructed in the pattern, but if you are keen to use a different technique, just bear these things in mind before you start knitting.

SIGN-UPS FOR THE 2024 MYSTERY BLANKET CLUB BEGIN AT THE END OF THIS MONTH ON FRIDAY 25^TH AUGUST, so mark this date clearly on your calendar if you want to grab yourself a place on next year’s ‘mystery’ KAL! We are running an Early Bird offer for everyone who signs up before the end of September, and details of this will be emailed to you in a newsletter on launch day. So keep an eye on your inbox!

I am not going to go into any great detail now about the blanket design - I’m saving this for the launch - but I am going to give you a sneeky peek of the colours I am using. Not all of the yarns you see in this image are confirmed, but they give you a good idea of the colour palette. It’s a vibrant mixture of deep blues and purples with shades of teal and shots of hot and cool pink, combined with a generous scattering of glitter and sparkle. The yarns are cosy and beautifully soft, creating a dreamy blanket that will be the perfect cuddle-buddy through those cold winter months. Interested? Then watch out for our newsletter which will drop into your inbox on the 25th August to find out more…  

Since the Mystery Blanket Club began way back in 2008, it has sold out before our end of December deadline. So if you fancy being part of the club next year, it’s a good idea to get your membership signed and sealed early on to guarantee your place. You don’t need to pay in full upfront, if preferred you can use our payment plan which enables you to spread your payment across 2-4 months at no extra cost - the decision is up to you. But everyone who signs up within the first month will be entitled to the Early Bird offer, so whatever you choose to do, you won’t miss out.

Above: a flavour of the colour palette for 2024...

That’s all I am going to say for now. I’ll leave you mulling over those colours until launch day on the 25^th August when more about the project will be revealed...

THERE IS NOW UNDER A MONTH TO GET YOURSELF ON BOARD FOR THE 2023 MYSTERY BABY BLANKET CLUB. The first MBBC was launched in 2019 and was a lot of fun, so I can’t wait to get this brand new project underway at the beginning of October. I just love everything about baby blankets, from the cute motifs and patterns to the challenges of designing a blanket without any beads - which as you can imagine is quite a task for me! And working again with the gorgeously soft and luxurious Rowan Baby Cashsoft Merino has been an absolute dream. It knits up so beautifully and is especially good for stitch definition, so be prepared for lots of lovely textured patterns as well as intarsia motifs and pretty fairisles. I think that both you and baby are going to love this!

Above: 2019 Mystery Baby Blanket Club, Love You to the Moon and Back.

Here is a summary of what’s in store…

The project is knitted in Rowan Baby Cashsoft Merino, which is a mixture of merino wool, acrylic microfiber and cashmere. It is beautifully soft and has a luxurious handle, making it the perfect choice for a baby blanket. It is machine washable.

The blanket is made up from thirty-five squares that are pieced together to create one block. Each square is 13cm x 13cm in size resulting in a completed blanket that measures approximately 72cm x 98cm.

There are two colour options to choose from. The base palette includes soft green, camel, butter yellow, taupe, cream and faded denim, and to complete it there is a choice of either:

• Grey/Silver

or

• Rose/Candy

The kit for this blanket will be available to buy in our online shop from 1^st June 2024 when the Club has finished, but there are lots of reasons to sign up now and grab yourself a membership. By joining the club you will benefit from:

• 10% off the cost of the membership (£139.50 + shipping after discount)
• 10% discount voucher for a single transaction in our online shop*
• Free fabric gift bag (by Paper Mirchi)
• A dedicated blog and technical support throughout the project
• The opportunity to knit the blanket before anyone else!

*excludes Mystery products.

Each member will receive a knitting kit which includes over fifteen balls of Rowan Baby Cashsoft Merino yarn, seven sets of emailed patterns (with the option to purchase additional printed patterns), a fabric gift bag and a woven label. The finished size of the blanket is approximately 72cm x 98cm.

The blanket design includes the techniques of intarsia, fairisle, lace, textured stitches and stripes, offering you an exciting variety of squares to knit up over seven months. (There will be no beads or embellishments in this blanket).

If you would prefer to pay in instalments you can use our online payment system Splitit, which enables you to make your payment over two, three or four months - you choose what suits you best. 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 that easy!

You have until the end of August to get yourself signed up to the Mystery Baby Blanket Club before it begins on 1^st October. We are signing up members from all over the world, so wherever you are, why not come and join me!

WE ARE NOW GETTING VERY CLOSE TO THE END OF OUR GUESSING GAME! AND WITH ONE MORE LETTER THIS MONTH AND SIX MORE SQUARES REVEALED, IT’S BECOMING VERY OBVIOUS…ISN’T IT? We had no more correct guesses this month, so for those of you who are still guessing, here is another clue. This month the letter I am giving you is... “S”:

T  H  _  / _  _  _  H  A  _  T  _  D  / _  O  R  _  S  T 

With another letter revealed, are you having one of those fabulous lightbulb moments?!? If you think about the squares and the names of them, what do they make you think of? After this month you have just two more chances to guess the title before it is revealed in the November blog. So will you get it right before then? If you think you know what it is, send in your answer to Sue at sue@debbieabrahams.com and she will let you know if you are right - and fingers crossed that you are this time!

THERE ARE SIX SQUARES TO KNIT THIS MONTH, with alternative options for four of the squares, so you’ve got some decisions to make:

Square 4, Wolfsbane (Option One) – fairisle pattern with stripes, textured stitches and hooked-in beads:

Square 4, Wolfsbane (Option Two) – textured pattern with stripes and hooked-in beads:

Square 21, Autumn Cable 2 – cable pattern with slip-stitch beads (same for both options):

Square 32, Butterflies (Option One) – fairisle pattern with stripes, textured stitches and hooked-in and slip-stitch beads:

Square 32, Butterflies (Option Two) – striped pattern with textured stitches and slip-stitch beads:

Square 33, Thicket 2 – lace pattern with hooked-in beads (same for both options):

Square 41, Toadstools (Option One) – toadstool motifs with hooked-in beads and slip-stitch beads and chain stitch details:

Square 41, Toadstool (Option Two) – textured pattern with hooked-in beads:

Square 42, The Pixies & Nixies are Back! (Option One) – fairisle pattern with stripes, textured stitches and hooked-in beads:

Square 42, The Pixies & Nixies are Back! (Option Two) – fairisle pattern with stripes, textured stitches and hooked-in beads:

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.

You can use the tech vids from previous blogs to help you knit your squares. But here are a few extra tips to assist you:

SQUARE 4, WOLFSBANE (Option One): this is the same as Square 46, so we begin this month with a bit of revision. But if you need a reminder of any of the techniques, then the tech vids in previous blogs are there for you to dip into.

Videos to watch for assistance with this square:

• How to pick up stitches along a cast-off edge (February blog)
• Mattress stitch (horizontal) (February blog)
• Square 8, Pixies & Nixies (both options): how to knit the decorative slip-stitch (February blog)
• Square 8, Pixies & Nixies (Option One): the Fairisle technique (February blog)
• How to bead, the hooking-in method (February blog)
• How to carry yarns up the side of the work (February blog)

I would recommend that you choose the same option that you knitted for Square 46. At the end of the day it’s up to you. But if you want balance and symmetry in your design, then play safe and choose the same option.

SQUARE 46, WOLFSBANE (Option Two):  this second option for Square 4 is exactly the same as the second option for Square 46.

Videos to watch for assistance with this square:

• How to pick up stitches along a cast-off edge (February blog)
• Mattress stitch (horizontal) (February blog)
• Square 8, Pixies & Nixies (both options): how to knit the decorative slip-stitch (February)
• How to knit the decorative loop stitch (February blog)
• How to bead, the hooking-in method (February blog)
• How to carry yarns up the side of the work (February blog)

As mentioned for Option One, I would recommend that you choose the same option that you knitted for Square 46.

SQUARE 21, AUTUMN CABLE 2: this is a variation of Square 29 which you knitted way back in March, but the colour of the yarn and beads are different, and there is a change to the twist of the cables too.

Videos to watch for assistance with this square:

• How to pick up stitches along a cast-off edge (February blog)
• Mattress stitch (horizontal) (February blog)
• How to cable (February blog)
• How to thread beads onto your yarn (March blog)
• How to bead, the slip-stitch method (March blog)

So what’s different about Autumn Cable 2? The most noticeable difference is that Pumpkin has been swapped out for Elfin. And if you look closely the beads are Velvet instead of Lime. But something you may not notice straight away is the direction of the cables, which twist to the right instead of to the left. This is because you are knitting c7b with the stitches held on a cable needle at the back of the work.

The tech vid for cables does not show you c7b, but it does show you how a cable is knitted. So you just need to apply the same technique to what you are beingn shown (that is, crossing over two sets of stitches), replacing the number of stitches shown in the demo with seven stitches in each cable.

Remember that some of the stitches are worked through the back of the loop (K1tbl and P1tbl) which twists them making them tighter and neater. This is shown on the chart on page 11 by a forward slant. You can see clearly on the chart where they occur which is on the outside edges of each cable. And note that within the cable instruction itself (c7b), stitches continue to be worked through the back of the loop. You will find the abbreviation for c7b explained on page 35.

 SQUARE 32, BUTTERFLIES (Option One): you will recognise this square from your May instalment because it is identical to it. There are two options, so this is the second decision you will need to make this month about which option to knit.

Videos to watch for assistance with this square:

• How to pick up stitches along a cast-off edge (February blog)
• Mattress stitch (horizontal) (February blog)
• How to thread beads onto your yarn (March blog)
• How to bead, the slip-stitch method (March blog)
• How to carry yarns up the side of the work (February blog)
• Square 8, Pixies & Nixies (both options): how to knit the decorative slip-stitch (February blog)
• Square 8, Pixies & Nixies (Option One): the Fairisle technique (February blog)
• How to bead, the hooking-in method (February blog)

If you take a look at the Piecing Diagram for Option One on page 4, you will see that this square is the same as Square 18. So I would recommend that you choose the same option if you want to maintain symmetry in the overall design.

On the image you can see there are black beads for the eyes, but you may remember from before that they are not on the chart - they are knitted in on the row after it, on Row 44. These beads are hooked into the knitting, but the beads in the Maple and Pasture stripes use the slip-stitch technique. So this square gives you the opportunity to enjoy both bead knitting techniques.

Just a gentle reminder to change needle size when instructed as this will help to make the stripes extra neat, and keep the fairisle pattern uniform in width to the rest of the square. There is a change down to 2.75mm needles for the stripes and a change up to 3.75mm needles for the fairisle (with 3.50mm used in between!).

SQUARE 32, BUTTERFLIES (Option Two): this second option for Square 32 is exactly the same as the second option for Square 18.

Videos to watch for assistance with this square:

• How to pick up stitches along a cast-off edge (February blog)
• Mattress stitch (horizontal) (February blog)
• How to thread beads onto your yarn (March blog)
• How to bead, the slip-stitch method (March blog)
• How to carry yarns up the side of the work (February blog)
• Square 8, Pixies & Nixies (both options): how to knit the decorative slip-stitch (February blog)
• Square 16, Forager: how to knit the exaggerated decorative purl stitch (February blog)

If you went for Option Two before, then you’ve already knitted the exaggerated purl stitch, decorative stitch stripes and beaded stripes, so this should be quite an easy one for you to knit. You might even be able to pop on the tv or radio while you work on this square - just keep your eye on those needle changes and make sure that you thread the correct beads onto the correct colour yarn!

SQUARE 33, THICKET 2: do you recognise this lace stitch pattern? It’s the same as Square 17 from the March instalment but it’s been given a totally different look in a warmer colourway.

Videos to watch for assistance with this square:

• How to pick up stitches along a cast-off edge (February blog)
• Mattress stitch (horizontal) (February blog)
• Understanding lace stitches (March blog)
• How to bead, the hooking-in method (February blog)

This is the lace pattern that has the variable stitch count and means that you will have an increased number of stitches - 49 stitches - at the end of all right side rows, and the same number you cast on - 44 stitches - at the end of all wrong side rows (as you can see above). I have written at the end of each row how many stitches you should have on the needle, so it’s wise to keep a close check on this. Undoing lace is not the easiest of tasks, so if you do miss a yarn over (increase) or a decrease, hopefully you will only need to back up by a row or two.

The beads used in this square are Gold and Bronze, and they are hooked in on both right side and wrong side rows. They sit in diagonal lines of four which alternate between the two colours as you work up the square.

SQUARE 41, TOADSTOOLS (Option One): this is the brand new square this month - a group of intarsia toadstools with beads and chain stitch embroidery - so there's plenty to keep you busy!

Videos to watch for assistance with this square:

• How to pick up stitches along a cast-off edge (February blog)
• How to pick up stitches along a cast-off edge using several colours (April blog)
• Mattress stitch (horizontal) (February blog)
• The intarsia technique (March blog)
• How to bead, the hooking-in method (February blog)
• How to thread beads onto your yarn (March blog)
• How to bead, the slip-stitch method (March blog)
• How to add Chain stitch to your knitting (March blog)

This is the sister square to Square 9, Toadstool, so I would advise that you choose the same option as this one. It is intarsia which means winding off smaller balls of yarn (or using yarn bobbins) to knit each separate section of colour. So even though it might be tempting to carry the background yarn of Acorn across the back of the toadstools, I would recommend that you don’t do this as it could affect tension and the knitting could pucker. You want to create a nice flat, even piece of knitting, this is achieved by using the intarsia technique throughout the whole of the square.

The black beads are hooked in and the Velvet and Bronze beads are knitted in using the slip stitch technique. There are Velvet beads on the Ginger toadstool, and Black and Bronze beads on the other two toadstools.

The small, embroidered circles around some of the Black and Bronze beads are added to the knitting after it has been blocked and pressed. You can see which colours to use on the chart on page 21, it’s a mixture of Ginger, Pasture and Barn Red. However, this is where you could go off-piste if you want and use whatever colours you want - you don’t even have to embroider around the same beads as me. These are toadstools after all, and no one toadstool is identical to another. So if you like, yours can be different too!

There is some chain stitch on the lower edge of each toadstool, which is not shown on the chart, so you will need to refer to the image on page 20 for guidance. I used Shadow on the Ginger toadstool, Pasture on the Barn Red toadstool and Barn Red on the Shadow toadstool, but again, you can use whatever colours you want. This is your opportunity to personalise your square if you want to, and make it unique!

SQUARE 41, TOADSTOOL (Option Two): so if you don’t fancy intarsia, you can go for this option instead and knit an all-over textured stitch with hooked-in beads. There is no pre-threading to do so you can get going on this straight away!

Videos to watch for assistance with this square:

• How to pick up stitches along a cast-off edge (February blog)
• Mattress stitch (horizontal) (February blog)
• How to bead, the hooking-in method (February blog)

If you chose Option Two for squares 9 and 37 then you’ve knitted this stitch pattern before. I would advise that you choose the same option that you chose for Square 9 so that you have the same square in a diagonal across the blanket (Square 9 and Square 41). However, your choice does not have to be the same as what you chose for Square 37.

Like Square 33, Thicket 2, this square has a variable stitch count, and the number of stitches you should have at the end of each row is written in the pattern. So it’s a good idea to check this as you go along. The pattern is created by doing a multiple increase into one stitch (M3) and double stitch decreases over a 16-row pattern repeat which results in the number alternating between 61 stitches and 59 stitches.

Remember that this square uses a smaller needle than the recommended main needle size of 3.50mm. This is necessary to ensure that it knits up to the same size as all the other squares in the blanket.

SQUARE 42, THE PIXIES & NIXIES ARE BACK! (Option One): this square is similar to Squares 8 and 36, but you will notice a few differences…

Videos to watch for assistance with this square:

• How to pick up stitches along a cast-off edge (February blog)
• Mattress stitch (horizontal) (February blog)
• Square 8, Pixies & Nixies (both options): how to knit the decorative slip-stitch (February blog)
• Square 8, Pixies & Nixies (Option One): the Fairisle technique (February blog)
• How to bead, the hooking-in method (February blog)
• How to carry yarns up the side of the work (February blog)

I would recommend that you choose the same option that you knitted for Square 8. This is most probably the same choice you made for Square 36. So looking at the Piecing Diagram on page 4, it won’t come as any surprise that you’ll be asked to make the same choice for Square 14 later on in the project. This is not giving the ‘mystery’ away as you’ve probably already made a good guess at what some of those final squares are going to be - remember, symmetry?!? And if you’re thinking the way I think then you’ll no doubt be right!

So what is the difference between this square and Squares 8 and 36? Basically the design has been turned upside down, so it’s a mirror image. This means that you begin the square with those multi-coloured stripes, and you finish at the top with the fairisle panel. So it has the same patterns in it, they are just the other way up. And as you’ve already knitted Squares 8 and 36, this one should be no problem at all!

SQUARE 42, THE PIXIES & NIXIES ARE BACK! (Option Two): this is the easier option of the two and should match the choice that you made for Square 8.

Videos to watch for assistance with this square:

• How to pick up stitches along a cast-off edge (February blog)
• Mattress stitch (horizontal) (February blog)
• Square 8, Pixies & Nixies (both options): how to knit the decorative slip-stitch (February blog)
• How to knit the decorative loop stitch (February blog)
• How to bead, the hooking-in method (February blog)
• How to carry yarns up the side of the work (February blog)

I’ve done a similar thing to this option and turned the design upside down. So you begin with the stripes and end with the decorative loop stitch at the top. It is no different to what you knitted for this option for Squares 8 and 36, it’s just the other way up. But remember that if you need a reminder of any of the techniques - especially the decorative loop stitch - there are several tech vids in previous blogs that you can scroll back to for guidance.

And that's your six squares for this month - enjoy! 

I HAD A FABULOUS TIME AT THE MONTHLY MEETING AT YARN LOFT IN JULY! It was lovely to be able to catch up with a very excitable group of ladies and to see their progress with the blanket. To see the squares on the needles and the enthusiasm with which they were being knitted was truly rewarding for me. And as usual we had some good laughs too as stories were told and tips and advice were exchanged. It was such good fun!

Above: (left to right), Carol, Mary and Kerry discuss their blanket squares.

It always amazes me how quickly those two hours pass by, but that’s probably because of the continuous banter - if you want a couple of quiet hours knitting, this is not the place to be! Subjects ranged from what to do with ends of yarns to whether we preferred charts to words, and somehow we got onto whether it is legal to take a snake for a walk - please don’t ask how we got onto that! It was a couple of hours of very bizarre but hugely entertaining conversation.

Doreen was there on duty to look after us and made us cups of tea and coffee with a slice of cake (thanks Doreen!), which kept us all going. Quite surprisingly I don’t think that anyone made a major error with their knitting this time, which is pretty amazing considering how much we laughed and talked. So much progress was made by all, and everyone went home with more on their needles than they started with - which is always a bonus!

Below: (left to right), Jan, Vanessa and Shelly crack on with their blanket squares.

There is no meeting in August because of the summer holidays, so we will resume our monthly meetings in September. If you live within reach of Nottingham and are interested in coming along to our next meeting on Wednesday 6^th September, the fun begins from 4pm and runs until 6pm. We meet at Yarn Loft, 118 Hucknall Road, Carrington, Nottingham, tel number 07825 702433, website: www.yarnloft.co.uk. To cover the costs of hosting the meeting there is a small sub to pay (£3.00), which can be paid to Doreen on the day.

Just send a quick email to me at debbie@debbieabrahams.com to let me know you are coming and we will make sure that we reserve a space for you!

I HAD THE ABSOLUTE PLEASURE TO TUTOR TWO WORKSHOPS IN JULY AND IT WAS LOVELY TO MEET SOME OF YOU AT THEM! The Woolly Wanderers in the West Midlands invited me back to Sutton Coldfield for a repeat of a workshop that we ran last year at Claire Bolton’s house. She very kindly gave up her beautiful home for the workshop where fourteen of us gathered together for the day to knit. My sister Jenny of BeadyKnits (some of you may have bought her kits?) came with me to assist, and she spent the day looking after sales while I ran the workshop.

Each participant was given a kit for a purse project. It was a smaller version of the Chic Case which is available as a kit in a larger size in our online shop. Everyone got on with it really well, and with Claire providing the hot drinks and biscuits and the participants contributing to a superb buffet lunch, a wonderful day was had by all!

Above: the Chic Purse that the ladies knitted up during the workshop.

Many of the ladies in this group are Mystery Blanket Club members and have been members for many years. So there was lots of talk, amongst other things, about this year’s blanket, and it was lovely to hear how they were getting on with it.

Sue Webster had a very special cake made for her 80^th birthday and she brought along this picture of it. Can you see what the lady is knitting? It’s the 2021 Mystery Blanket, One Thousand & One Nights! Isn’t it amazing! I thought it was wonderful and such a unique idea for a cake. The detail on the blanket is incredible!

At the end of the day Claire was exhausted. She had been such a wonderful host and looked after us all so well. Here she is relaxing in her very comfortable rocking chair at the end of the day. Thanks so much Claire, we all had a fabulous time!

Above: Claire enjoying a well deserved rest!

Straight after that, Jen and I hopped in the car and made our way over to Norfolk for our next workshop on Saturday with the Norfolk Knitting Group, run by Jean Gosling. I have been running workshops for this group for many years - it must be nearing twenty? So it was lovely to see so many familiar faces at the Barnham Broom Village Hall on Saturday morning.

Above: the group working away on their projects.

We knitted a different project this time, a small purse project called Reminisce (Summer). You may have seen (or purchased) the Reminisce Case which is a recent addition to our online shop. It’s the project that I ran in France a couple of months ago for Sue Culligan. But for this workshop I scaled it down in size and recoloured it in blue, yellow and green to give it a completely different look.

Above: the Reminisce Summer Purse project.

A buffet lunch always works so well, and with everyone bringing a platter along we enjoyed a wonderful day of knitting, eating, chatting and catching up with each other. Everyone made a good start on the project, and although no one completed it while we were there, it didn’t matter. We all had a wonderful day together and everyone went home with something on the needles to keep them busy over the rest of the weekend.

Below: we had lots of kits for sale at the workshop...

Thank you to the Norfolk ladies and especially to Jean for another great workshop. See you again next year!

THERE IS ONE VERY LOVELY MEMBER STORY TO SHARE WITH YOU THIS MONTH, AND IT’S FROM GILL BIRCH FROM ATHERTON IN QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA. Gill was over the moon to learn that her Retrospective Mystery Blanket won first prize in a local show. This is what Gill had to say:

“I thought you might be interested to know that I entered one of your blankets in the local country show. It won first in its category and went on to win Best Knitting award!  Woo-hoo!”

This is fabulous news, and quite rightly so that it won first prize. It has been knitted beautifully and I am sure that it was much admired by everyone who saw it. Who knows, it may have even inspired others to take up the knitting needles and have a go themselves. Thanks for sharing this with us Gill, it is lovely news!

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THE WONDERFUL PICS YOU’VE SENT IN OF YOUR FURRY FRIENDS! It is so lovely to see who is keeping you company while you knit up your mystery projects. I am still collecting them in so there is time to email me your pics if you want to add to the gallery. I am planning to launch this in October, so if you want to send something in before then, that would be great. Remember to include the name of your pet (or pets) and a little bit of information about them. What a great gallery we will have to look forward to!

IF YOU DON’T FOLLOW US ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS THEN PLEASE COME AND JOIN US, and enjoy the messages and photos that are shared between myself and the members:

Instagram: debbieabrahams_knitting

Pinterest: debbieabrahams@debbieabrahamsk

Facebook: Debbie Abrahams Mystery Knitters

Facebook: Debbie Abrahams Handknits

Ravelry: Debbie Abrahams Handknits

BEFORE THE AUGUST PRIZE DRAW, I JUST WANT TO DO A QUICK SHOUT OUT FOR A MYSTERY BLANKET KIT. If anyone has a 2020 Our Precious Earth knitting kit that they are willing to sell, I have a lady who is desperate to purchase it and knit it. (Kits can be sold in their entirety with all the yarn and beads and embellishments included. The selling on of the patterns for the blankets is however, prohibited). Please contact me directly at debbie@debbieabrahams.com if you are able to help with this request and I will put you in touch with the prospective buyer.

Below: the 2020 Mystery Blanket, Our Precious Earth.

AND FINALLY, IT’S TIME TO ANNOUNCE THE WINNER OF THE SEVENTH 2023 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 SEVEN (AUGUST): this month’s winner is member 250, Natalie Keane from Ryde, Isle of Wight in the UK. Well done Natalie! Please choose a prize from the following selection:

• Your choice of one of Debbie’s knitting kits up to the value of £28.00 (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 £25 voucher towards a Debbie Abrahams Mystery Club membership: 2023 Mystery Baby Blanket Club, 2024 Mystery Cushion Club or 2024 Mystery Blanket Club.
• A Mystery bag of five gifts!

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

So with the summer holidays in full swing and the promise of some sunshine here in the UK  (soon please!), I am looking forward to a more relaxed month ahead before the Autumn begins and the studio gets busy again. I never go anywhere without my knitting so it will be coming with me on all my travels - you never know when the opportunity might arise to get your knitting needles out and get a precious few rows done! Wherever you are spending your summer and whatever you are doing, I wish you a peaceful and happy time. And if you get the chance to take some snaps of your knitting out and about with you, please send in your pics and I will include them in the next blog.

There won’t be an intro vlog from me next month as we are going to be away for much of August, however there will be a written blog to read with all the usual news, tips, advice and updates. So if you have a spare ten minutes, please come back to this space at the beginning of September to catch up with me and all the latest club news. And before that, remember to keep an eye out for the 2024 Mystery Blanket launch on the 25^th August - I can hardly wait, can you?!? Take care everyone, Debbie, x