Mystery Blanket Club 2024: post 2, March
Debbie AbrahamsHELLO AND WELCOME TO THE SECOND INSTALMENT OF THE 2024 MYSTERY BLANKET CLUB! It was only two weeks ago that the club started, but in that short space of time everyone seems to have settled into the project really well, and I’ve seen on our social media platforms some lovely photos and enthusiastic comments about the progress made so far. So what a great start to this new KAL!
I am super excited this month because not only am I about to reveal the next four squares of the blanket to you, but sign-ups for my 2024 Mystery Cushion Club have opened, so there is a whole new knitting adventure for you to get excited about too. It is mentioned in my intro (see link below!), and I have also mentioned it in the written part of this blog. There is an Early Bird Special Offer, and as a Mystery Blanket Club member you get a discount on the membership as well as entry into our Free Prize Draw, plus a pair of ready-made socks! Sounds good? Then read on…
After my intro there are three new tech vids this month to help you with the March patterns, but we have also included the tech vids from the February blog in case you need a reminder of any of the other techniques that I have demonstrated so far:
- NEW! Debbie’s March intro!
- NEW! How to knit intarsia
- NEW! How to cable
- NEW! Square 1, Capricorn (Option Two)
- Square 8, Tranquility: Japanese short-row shaping (February blog)
- How to carry yarns up the side of the work (February blog)
- How to add Swiss darning to your knitting (February blog)
- How to thread beads onto your yarn (February blog
- How to bead, the slip-stitch method (February blog)
- How to bead, the hooking-in method (February blog)
- How to knit fairisle (February blog)
- Picking up stitches to begin a new square (February blog)
- Mattress stitch (horizontal)
Mystery Blanket Club 2024 - Mailout 2
How To Knit Intarsia | MBC2024
How to Cable | MBC2024
How To Bead: The Hooking In Method | MBC2024
How to knit Square 1 Capricorn (Option Two) | MBC2024
Videos from February:
Square 8 Tranquility: Japanese Short-Row Shaping | MBC2024
How to carry yarns up the side of the work | MBC2024
How to add Swiss Darning to your Knitting | MBC2024
How to thread beads onto yarn | MBC2024
How to Bead: The Slip Stitch Method | MBC2024
How to knit Fairsle | MBC2024
Picking up stitches to begin a new square | MBC2024
Mattress Stitch (Horizontal) | MBC2024
IMPORTANT! TEAL AND CLEAR BEAD SHORTAGE IN YOUR KNITTING KIT! We sent out an email to all the members this week about the beads in your knitting kit. I only just realised after recording my intro vid for this month that you are going to run short of Teal and Clear beads and won’t have enough to complete all the March squares. Why has this happened?!? To be perfectly honest, I just don’t know as usually things like making sure you have enough yarn and beads in your kit is at the top of my priority list to check, so I apologise for this oversight which, hands up, falls completely on my lap.
In case you did not get the email from us, to put you in the picture, this is what it said:
“I have some important information to tell you about the beads in your knitting kit. I have just realised that you are not going to have enough Teal and Clear beads to complete the squares in your next mail which is going to be launched on Friday 1st March. This is because of a miscount of beads by me which I apologise for.
However, the good news is that because we now have all our beads back in stock, we are in the process of parcelling up the extra Teal and Clear beads that you need and will get them posted to you within the next couple of days.
For the UK members who ordered printed patterns, I have included the beads in your printed patterns envelope, so make sure that you fish them out before discarding the envelope.
Unfortunately the overseas printed patterns have already been posted so these beads are going to be sent in a small white jiffy bag. The overseas will take longer to arrive than the UK, but as they will be marked as Gift and No Value, they should sail through the postal system and arrive within good time.
There are some squares in Mail Out 2 which you can get straight on with before the extra beads arrive, they are Squares 1 and 2. So if you are eager to make a start, you can certainly do that. And all being good, the beads will be with you very soon.”
THE MARCH PATTERNS HAVE BEEN EMAILED TO ALL THE MEMBERS, so you should find this in your inbox. However, if you cannot see it then please check your Spam folder first before doing anything else as more often than not our emails end up in there. However, if after checking this you are still unable to find it, please contact Sue and she will check that we have your correct email details in our database.
THE PRINTED PATTERNS HAVE BEEN POSTED TO THE MEMBERS WHO OPTED FOR THEM, so if you have not received them yet, they will be with you very soon. If you did not sign up for printed patterns but have changed your mind, contact Sue and she will be able to set this up for you for an additional cost.
IF YOU ARE HAVING ANY TENSION ISSUES WITH YOUR SQUARES, THEN DON’T DESPAIR! 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, so you might find that using the main needle size is achieving the correct tension, however some of the other needle size changes are not. 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 make 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 in 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 to as and when needed.
I HAVE BEEN ASKED A QUESTION ABOUT BLOCKING AND PRESSING. And it might be something that you are not sure about too, so I am going to clarify. If you work in strips then I would advise that you block each square as you knit it, rather than pressing the completed strip. Even though this is probably more time consuming, you will find that it is much easier to do it this way. And I think you get a better result too.
FOLLOWING AN EMAIL FROM ONE OF THE MEMBERS, I NEED TO GIVE YOU A BIT OF ADVICE ABOUT THE LUREX YARN. It is constructed as a chain and because of this, if you pull on the loose end of it the yarn will unravel, and it will continue unravelling unless you stop it.
So I would advise that every time you use it you knot the end when you begin and then knot the other end when you finish using it. Then it won’t unravel, and you will be a very happy knitter!
NOW FOR SOME SUPER EXCITING NEWS ABOUT THE LAUNCH OF MY 2024 MYSTERY CUSHION CLUB, WHICH IS NOW ON SALE IN OUR ONLINE SHOP! This year sees the launch of the fourteenth design in this collection, and with the few hints and tips I am going to give you (but not too many!), I hope that you decide to sign up and join me!
Over five fun-packed months of inspirational knitting using some of Rowan’s finest and most luxurious yarns including Alpaca Soft DK and Felted Tweed, you will have the opportunity to create your very own Mystery Cushion.
Above: the 2023 Mystery Cushion, Picnic Party!
If you’re new to the Mystery Cushion Club then it’s a smaller project than the blanket, beginning on 14th June and finishing mid-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.
The knitting kit includes Rowan yarn, Debbie Abrahams Beads and buttons for fastening.
So what about some hints?!? If you like rich Autumnal colours with a hint of Vintage, then this could be the cushion you’ve always dreamed of knitting! Bold motifs are mixed with simple stripes and textured stitches, finished off with a sprinkling of sparkling beads and bronze stud details. The theme has several different strands to it, including a nod to one of the great masters of 20th century art…now there’s food for thought!
Discount and Early Bird offer! The good news is that because you are a 2024 Mystery Blanket Club member you get 5% discount off the cost of the basic membership whenever you decide to sign up before it begins in June. A unique discount code for this will be included in an emailed newsletter you will receive from us on the 1st March. However, if you do not receive it (or can’t find it), then no worries - send us a quick message and we will let you know what it is.
And in addition to the discount, if you are one of the first one hundred to purchase a membership you will receive some other amazing benefits:
Free pair of Debbie’s bespoke ready-made socks: receive a free pair of Debbie’s Winter Wonderland socks which were inspired by her 2019 Mystery Blanket design. They will be shipped in June with your knitting kit. Choose your pair from these three designs:
Winter Ball
Oh Tannenbaum!
Rockin’ Around
Free Prize Draw: in addition to this, everyone will be entered into a Free Prize Draw, with the chance to win one of five great prizes:
Prize 1: 2024 Mystery Cushion Club membership (we will refund what you paid in full)
Prize 2: 2024 Mystery Cushion Club set of printed patterns, five full-colour brochures in total (if you’ve added them to your order we will refund what you’ve paid in full)
Prize 3: 2024 Festive Mystery Knit Box (released in November)
Prize 4: A knitting kit of your choice up to the value of £40 from the selection on our website
Prize 5: Four packs of Debbie Abrahams Beads (you choose the colours and size).
There you go, oodles of reasons to get yourself signed up!
There will be a download option only (no knitting kit) for this club, which will enable you to use yarns and beads from your own stash to knit the cushion. The list of yarns and beads for the knitting kit will be released a week before the project begins so you can get yourself prepped and ready. The five sets of patterns will be emailed monthly from June to October.
To make things easier you can choose to spread the cost of your payment. If you don’t want to pay in one go you have the option to pay in 2-4 instalments using our Splitit payment plan. There are no admin fees for splitting your payment so you can choose whatever is easiest for you and your finances. This can be used for the full membership option with knitting kit, but not for the download pattern only option.
Feeling tempted?!? As with all my Mystery Clubs, memberships are limited and once they have sold out the Club will be closed. So don’t delay in getting yourself signed up, especially if you want to take advantage of our fabulous Early Bird offer! There are packages for UK, Europe and the World - it’s a global project and everyone is invited to join in!
These are the past thirteen designs. Take a look at them and I will leave you pondering over what I have in store for you this year...
THE TITLE OF THE MYSTERY BLANKET has been guessed by so many of you that I am going to create a separate blog for the correct guessers which I will post in a couple of days time. Someone said that the big giveaway was the word with the apostrophe, so if you are still not sure what it is, perhaps this tip will help you. And if not, then here is another letter in the puzzle clue. This month it’s the letter “R”:
_ _ ‘ _ / _ R _ _ _ E _ / _ _ / _ _ E / _ _ _ R _
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. Good luck everyone!
THERE ARE FOUR SQUARES TO KNIT THIS MONTH:
Square 1, Capricorn (Option One) – intarsia zodiac motif:
Square 2, Capricorn (Option Two) – textured stripe pattern with hooked-in beads:
Square 2, Cosmic – textured stripe pattern (same for both options):
Square 9, Solar – cable pattern with hooked-in beads (same for both options):
Square 29, Pisces (Option One) – fairisle pattern with textured stripes and slip-stitch beads:
Square 29, Pisces (Option Two) – slip-stitch pattern with textured stripes and slip-stitch 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 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:
SQUARE 1, CAPRICORN (Option One): this is the first intarsia square in the blanket and gives you the opportunity to practice your intarsia skills or learn a new technique. It does not matter which option you choose to knit for this square.
Videos to watch for assistance with this square:
- How to knit intarsia (NEW this month!)
There is a tech vid in this blog for intarsia which shows you the basics of this technique including how to join in a new colour and how to cross over the yarns to avoid gaps between colour changes. If you are new to the intarsia technique, then this is a good one to start with as it only uses two colours, and the motif is a pretty simple one to knit. My video shows me demonstrating on a generic piece of knitting, but by watching it you will see quite clearly the techniques you need to knit this square.
Although there are only two colours in this square, you will need to wind off more than two balls of yarn. This is because you should not carry colours across the back of the work (like you would do in fairisle). Intarsia is a single thickness multi-coloured piece of knitting, and yarns should only be carried a short distance and when it is absolutely necessary to do so, ie, carrying it across so that on the next row up it is in a better position to pick up and continue knitting with.
I used four bobbins of Utopia (remember the oval shape inside the curly twist at the end the symbol!), and three bobbins of Sapphire.
I prefer to wind my yarns onto bobbins as I find that separate balls of wool tend to get tangled up. But this is entirely your decision. Some knitters love bobbins (like me!), but others don’t and instead prefer separate balls or long strands of yarn, so you will need to decide for yourself which method suits you best for this square.
SQUARE 1, CAPRICORN (Option Two): if you don’t fancy intarsia then this alternative square is the one you will be knitting instead. It’s an all-over lacey stitch using two colours of yarn and two colours of beads. It does not matter which option you choose to knit for this square.
Videos to watch for assistance with this square:
- Square 1, Capricorn (Option Two) (NEW this month!)
- How to carry yarns up the side of the work (February blog)
- How to bead, the hooking-in method (February blog)
When you look at the image of this square on page 8 of Mail Out 2, it might be difficult to see that it is a two-colour stripe pattern which alternates between Utopia and Neptune. The beads might be tricky to see too - they alternate across each beaded row.
The first thing to note is the smaller needle size that you change to after the first two rows. Then on Row 1 of the 8-row pattern repeat the number of stitches are increased from 41 to 53. Once you start the pattern repeat, these eight rows are repeated throughout the whole of the square.
There is a tech vid this month which shows you how to knit Row 2 – this is the trickier row where stitches are beaded and passed over each other to create the textured lacey stitch. You might be able to follow it from my written instructions, but if you want to reassure yourself that you are knitting it correctly, then the vid is there for you as a back-up.
I really enjoyed knitting this square and found it quite easy once I got going. Just keep an eye on the beads and make sure that you pick up the correct colour (so that they alternate), and remember to change the colour of yarn every two rows. Then hopefully you’ll enjoy knitting it as much as I did!
SQUARE 2, COSMIC: there are no options for this square so everyone is knitting this textured stripe pattern which combines two colours of Lurex with Soft Yak and Alpaca Soft.
Videos to watch for assistance with this square:
- NEW! Square 1, Capricorn (Option Two)
- Picking up stitches to begin a new square (February blog)
- Mattress stitch (horizontal)
If you knitted Option Two for Square 1, Capricorn, then you’ll recognise the textured stripes in this square as they are the same as the Capricorn pattern but worked across six rows instead of eight. And this time they are knitted in the Lurex yarns, Silver Ghost and Turquoise Daisy. If you knitted Option One for Square 1, then there is a tech vid for these rows which shows you how to knit Row 2 – the trickier one – so be sure to give it a watch if you need some guidance.
In this stripe pattern it is not advisable to carry yarns up the side of the work as there are too many rows between the stripes. Instead I have instructed them to be cut off, but if you can, weave in the loose ends as you go to save darning them in later on.
SQUARE 9, SOLAR: this is the first cable square in the blanket, which combines cables with hooked-in beads and a pretty lace stitch, so there’s plenty to keep you busy!
Videos to watch for assistance:
- NEW! How to cable
- How to bead, the hooking-in method (February blog)
- Picking up stitches to begin a new square (February blog)
- Mattress stitch (horizontal) (February blog)
There are worded instructions and a chart for this square, however, for some of the rows on the chart you need to read and follow the worded instructions - these are the ones that are in green. You will see that under the chart on page 14 it says for one of the symbols to ‘see instructions in green for corresponding row’.
The lacey beaded pattern in this square is the same pattern I used in the 2023 Mystery Blanket, Square 23, Option Two. I created a tech vid for this square which includes a demonstration of how to knit these rows. It’s in the MBC23 June blog, here is the link to it:
https://debbieabrahams.com/blogs/news/mystery-blanket-club-2022-post-5-june
You will find the explanation for c3b and c3f on page 23 of the March mail out. They are simple cables worked in pairs to create circular shaped textured patterns which resemble planets (now, there’s a clue to the theme!!!) There is also a tech vid in this blog for how to knit cables which shows you the basics. The demo is not specific to the cables in this square, but it gives you a general idea of what is involved. So if you’ve not knitted a cable before, this will guide you through the technique.
There’s quite a lot going on in this square, but if you focus on one row at a time you will soon get used to the pattern repeat, and hopefully you will really enjoy knitting it up (and perhaps guess the theme too if you haven’t done so already!).
SQUARE 29, PISCES (Option One): this is the fairisle option and is similar to Square 15, Taurus (Option One), but you don’t need to choose the same option for this square if you would prefer to knit the alternative one instead…
Videos to watch for assistance with this square:
- How to carry yarns up the side of the work
- How to thread beads onto your yarn
- How to bead, the slip-stitch method
- How to knit fairisle
If you knitted Option One for Square 1, Taurus, then it is very similar to this but there is a change to the fairisle pattern. Remember that there is a tech vid if you need a reminder of the fairisle technique and/or slip-stitch beading.
I received some feedback about the chart for Taurus, that it was too dark and difficult to see the two colours. So I decided to change this on the chart for Pisces, and used white for the background (which is Electric Green, as instructed in the key next to the chart on page 17). This makes it much easier to work from so hopefully you will find this change beneficial.
Don’t forget that the needle sizes change from 3.50mm to 2.50mm for the rows of garter stitch in the beaded stripes. This will keep the stitch tension the same as the rest of the square.
But if you don’t want to knit this square, there is an alternative option…
SQUARE 29, PISCES (Option Two): this is the easier alternative and uses the same colours as Option One.
Videos to watch for assistance with this square:
- How to carry yarns up the side of the work
- How to thread beads onto your yarn
- How to bead, the slip-stitch method
If you knitted Option Two for Square 1, Taurus, then you will be familiar with this pattern as it is identical. However, if you knitted Option One, then this is a new square for you to get to grips with.
It has the same beaded stripes as Option One, but the fairisle is replaced with a textured stitch with Indigo hooked-in beads. The two-colour textured stitch pattern is very simple and involves slipping stitches and moving the yarn back and forth between the needles. There is no tech vid for this, but if you read the written instructions carefully, you should be fine. You work two rows in each colour, alternating between Sapphire and Electric Green.
ANNE SCULLION FROM ABERDEEN, UK, HAS BEEN IN TOUCH TO TELL US ABOUT HER VERY LOVELY KNITTED BASKET! This fabulous and very useful accessory is perfect for this year’s Mystery Blanket (for which you may or may not have guessed the theme!).
Anne says: “I couldn’t resist showing you this - I made this basket a good few years ago and it couldn’t be more perfect for this project! I felted it in the washing-machine - that was a bit nerve wracking! It was not made at a workshop, it was just something I fancied having a go at making. The original pattern was for a bag, but I saw someone adapt it into a basket, so I did that too. I even found a lovely blue fabric with little diamanté’s on it for the lining.”
I think that this is absolutely lovely and is perfect for keeping all your odds and ends safe and together in one place. I love the process of felting as it completely changes the quality of the knitted fabric and enables things like baskets and containers to be made out of it. Thanks for sharing this with us Anne, it’s encouraged me to delve into my stash and do some more felting myself!
MARY LEESON FROM LOUGHBOROUGH, UK, COULDN’T DECIDE WHICH OPTION TO KNIT FOR SQUARE 15, TAURUS, SO SHE CAME UP WITH THIS GENIUS IDEA! Take a look at what she did…
Mary says: “I love both options so much that I've knitted a hybrid version!”
What a brilliant idea Mary! I think it looks fabulous. And it avoided you having to decide which one to knit, so you got the best of both worlds!!! Do let us know what you come up with for Square 29, Pisces, in this month’s instalment…
IF YOU’VE ALWAYS FANCIED KNITTING THE VERY FIRST MYSTERY CUSHION IN MY COLLECTION, THEN AN UNOPENED KIT HAS COME UP FOR SALE. ‘Tribal Africa’ was the 2011 Mystery Cushion and was inspired by African art. It is knitted in Rowan Wool Cotton DK which was one of my all-time favourite Rowan yarns, but has long been discontinued. It was a beautiful yarn and I for one was very sad to see it go from the range. The kit contains all the yarn for the project plus the beads (no button fastenings were included in this kit).
If you are interested in purchasing it – maybe it’s the one Mystery Cushion that is missing from your collection?!? – then please let me know and I will put you in touch with the member who is selling it.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO KEEP IN TOUCH AND SEND IN YOUR PICS AND STORIES ABOUT YOUR MYSTERY BLANKET KNITTING. It is always a great joy to hear from you and to see how you are getting on with your squares. And with your permission I will share your words and pics in the next blog. So please keep in touch! Please send them directly to me at debbie@debbieabrahams.com.
FOLLOW US AND JOIN IN ALL THE FRIENDLY BANTER ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS!
If you are not already a Ravelry member, then it is very easy (and free!) to join. Just follow the instructions on their website: http://www.ravelry.com
The Debbie Abrahams Mystery Knitters group on Facebook is another fun way to keep in touch with other members. It was set up a couple of years ago and has grown in size to over 500 members, so that’s well worth joining too.
We also have our own Facebook page where you will find regular updates on everything we are doing from knitting kits to workshops and events!
Instagram: debbieabrahams_knitting
Pinterest: debbieabrahams@debbieabrahamsk
Facebook: Debbie Abrahams Mystery Knitters
Facebook: Debbie Abrahams Handknits
Ravelry: Debbie Abrahams Handknits
THE MYSTERY CLUB MEETINGS AT ‘YARN LOFT’ IN NOTTINGHAM ARE ALWAYS GREAT FUN! So if you live close to Nottingham and fancy meeting other members and having a knit and a natter for a couple of hours, then come along and join us at Doreen’s lovely shop. We meet up on the first Wednesday of the month between 4-6pm, and Doreen provides us with a hot drink and something sweet to eat while we knit our blanket squares.
We had the first meeting this year on the 7th February, and some of the ladies who came brought along their completed 2023 Mystery Blankets. Don’t they look wonderful!
Alison had been busy working on a Marie Wallin sweater (see below) – isn’t it gorgeous (and so very neat!). And she was wearing the most amazing sweater which she knitted in our Debbie Abrahams Light Merino DK yarn (Amethyst and Garnet). Wow! – I was totally bowled over by it (plus they are my all-time favourite colours!)
Yarn Loft is at 118 Hucknall Road, Carrington, Nottingham, tel number 07825 702433, website: www.yarnloft.co.uk. The next meeting is on Wednesday 6th March, and you are very welcome to join us.
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.
I hope you will be able to join me!
AND FINALLY, LET’S FIND OUT WHO THE WINNER IS OF THE SECOND 2024 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 (MARCH): this month’s winner is Member 9, Jane Ungemuth from Whittlesford in Cambridgeshire in the UK. Well done Jane! Please choose a prize from the following selection:
- Your choice of one of Debbie’s knitting kits up to the value of £30.00 (take a look at them in our online shop).
- Six packs of Debbie Abrahams Beads (size 8/0 or 6/0) from the selection on http://www.debbieabrahamsbeads.co.uk
- A £30 voucher towards a Debbie Abrahams Mystery Club membership: 2024 Mystery Cushion Club or 2025 Mystery Blanket Club.
- A Mystery bag of five gifts!
We will notify Jane to let her know the good news!
Now you’ve read my blog, watched my intro and taken lots of advice and tips on board, you are fully prepped and ready to make a start on this month’s squares. You’ve got four whole weeks to get these squares knitted so that should be plenty of time before I send out the third instalment at the beginning of April. There won’t be an intro from me next month as it’s the big reveal of the Mystery Baby Blanket Club on 1st April. However, you will be able to catch up with all the latest Mystery Blanket Club news here in my written blog, so make a note on your calendar to come back to the blog to find out all you need to know about the next part of this unique knitting journey. Until then, take care, eat a ton of chocolate (Happy Easter everyone!) and keep those needles clicking away, bye for now, Debbie x
