HELLO AND WELCOME TO THE THIRD INSTALMENT OF THE 2024 MYSTERY BLANKET CLUB! We are getting up to speed this month with five squares to knit. And with the next parcels being packed up and posted to you very soon, the project is well and truly underway!
The weather has been very up and down here in the UK, but I don’t mind because when it’s wet and windy outdoors, it’s great for knitting indoors. And with the Easter celebrations in full swing (Happy Easter everyone!), there’s plenty of chocolate in our house to enjoy while knitting the hours away.
So let’s start with some new tech vids, there are two this month and they are both for Square 22, Lunar (Option One). One shows how to cast on using several colours and the other shows how to cross the yarns over when knitting intarsia cables. Remember that there are all the other vids too from previous blogs that you can access if you need further assistance.
- NEW! How to cast on using several colours
- NEW! Square 22, Lunar (Option One), how to cross over the yarns
- Square 1, Capricorn (Option Two) (March blog)
- How to knit intarsia (March blog)
- How to cable (March blog)
- 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) (February blog)
How to cast on using several colours | MBC2024
SQ 22 Lunar (Option One): How to cross over the yarns | MBC2024
THE APRIL PATTERNS HAVE BEEN SENT TO ALL THE MEMBERS, so you should find an email from us in your inbox. However, if you cannot see it then please check your Spam folder first before doing anything else as sometimes our emails end up in there. Remember that you can also download the April file and all of the other digital files from your Debbie Abrahams account on our website.
THE PRINTED PATTERNS HAVE BEEN POSTED TO THE MEMBERS WHO OPTED FOR THEM. The overseas went ahead of the UK on the 20th March, followed by the UK on the 27th March. So if you have not received them yet, they will be with you very soon.
AFTER LAST MONTH’S TEAL AND CLEAR BEAD DILEMMA, WE SENT OUT EXTRA BEADS TO ALL THE MEMBERS, AS PROMISED. Most of you have received them, but some of you have contacted us to say that they have not been delilvered yet. They were posted in small white envelopes (padded white Jiffys for the overseas), so there is a possibility that some of them may have gone astray. So if you are still waiting for them, please let us know and we will send you some more. For our overseas members, we will include them in your second parcel which is being packed straight after the Easter break.
THERE IS AN ADDENDUM ALERT TO TELL YOU ABOUT, IT’S FOR SQUARE 22, LUNAR, AND AFFECTS BOTH OPTIONS. Several errors have been flagged up which I have added to the Addendum page on the website. The good news is that because I was notified of them before we emailed you the digital file, all but one of them has been corrected in the digital file, but unfortunately it was too late for the printed patterns.
These are the corrections (in the printed patterns only):
Page 11, Lunar (Option One): NEXT ROW (WS) should read as: [using Fjord K2, P8, K2, keeping yarn held at back (away from you), cross Fjord with Baby Blue, then using Baby Blue K2, P8, K2, keeping yarn held at back (away from you) cross Baby Blue with Fjord] twice, using Fjord K2, P8, K2.
Pages 11 & 12, Lunar (Option One): the cast-off instructions should read as RS facing and stitches cast off knitwise (not WS and purlwise).
Page 15, Lunar (Option Two): Row 1, after the bracketed instruction it should read: repeat to last 4 stitches (the word 'to' has been missed).
Page 15, Lunar (Option Two): Rows 2, 4 and 6, after the bracketed instruction it should read: repeat to last 4 stitches, P1, K3.
And this correction is in both the digital file and the printed patterns:
Page 27, Abbreviations: c8f should read as, slip next four stitches onto cable needle and hold at front (not back).
I apologise for these errors and hope they don’t spoil your enjoyment of knitting either option.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS SIGNED UP TO THE 2024 MYSTERY CUSHION CLUB. Most of you were lucky enough to qualify for the Early Bird Special Offer and will be sent free Winter Wonderland socks as well as being entered into the Prize Draw (find out below if you are a winner!). And you also benefited from 5% discount off the cost of the membership for being a Mystery Blanket Club member.
Despite the Early Bird offer coming to an end, you can still claim 5% discount off the cost of the Mystery Cushion membership. So if you have not signed up, it’s something you might want to add to your to-do list.
Below: Mystery Cushion 2016, Geo Jungle.
These are the results of the Prize Draw. Check to see if you are a winner!
Winner of Prize 1 is Samantha Berry: 2024 Mystery Cushion Club membership (we will refund what you paid in full)
Winner of Prize 2 is Melanie Makin : 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)
Winner of Prize 3 is Ruth Lozano: 2024 Festive Mystery Knit Box (released in November)
Winner of Prize 4 is Toril Grue: A knitting kit of your choice up to the value of £40 from the selection on our website
Winner of Prize 5 is Kate Hill: Four packs of Debbie Abrahams Beads (you choose the colours and size).
We will notify all of the winners by email. Well done if you are one of the lucky five!
This is a reminder of what the 2024 Mystery Cushion Club is all about…
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.
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.
Above: Mystery Cushion 2022, Pure Nouveau.
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!
MBC24 discount! 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 was included in the emailed newsletter you should have received from us. However, if you did 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.
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 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 both the knitting kit and download pattern only options.
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. There are packages for UK, Europe and the World - it’s a global project and everyone is invited to join in!
OUR EASTER SALE IS NOW ON, BUT ONLY FOR A LIMITED TIME! So if you need to stock up on beads, fancy a new knitting kit or are feeling the urge to purchase some yarn, pop over to our online shop today where you can fill your basket with lots of goodies for a reduced price.
We are offering 10% off books, yarn, beads, kits and accessories (discount is applied before shipping costs are added on). But our offer expires at midnight on the 4th April, so you’ll have to be quick if you want to grab yourself a bargain. Happy shopping!
THE TITLE OF THE MYSTERY BLANKET has been guessed by even more of you since I wrote the last blog, so because the list is now so long, I have decided to add together the first month’s correct guessers to the more recent correct guessers and publish them altogether in one blog. So keep your eyes open for this as I will be publishing it sometime this week.
If you're still trying to work out what the title is, then here is another letter in the puzzle clue. This month I am giving you the letter “N”:
_ _ ‘ _ / _ R _ _ _ E N / _ N / _ _ E / _ _ _ R _
If you think you know what it is, pop us a quick email to see if you are right: sue@debbieabrahams.com. There are no prizes for the correct answer but think how good you’ll feel if you get it right! Plus you’ll get the chance to have your name published as a correct guesser in next month’s blog. So, what are you thinking?!?...
THERE ARE FIVE SQUARES TO KNIT THIS MONTH:
Square 3, Libra (Option One) – fairisle pattern with textured stripes and slip-stitch beads:
Square 3, Libra (Option Two) – slip-stitch pattern with textured stripes and hooked-in beads:
Square 22, Lunar (Option One) – intarsia cable pattern:
Square 22, Lunar (Option Two) – striped slip-stitch pattern:
Square 30, Celestial 2 – moss stitch stripes (same for both options):
Square 36, Tranquility 2 – multi-coloured wave pattern using Japanese short-row shaping with optional embroidered details (same for both options):
Square 36, Solar – 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 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 tech vids to help you knit your squares. But here are a few extra tips to assist you:
SQUARE 3, LIBRA (Option One): this is the third square in the blanket that has fairisle zodiac symbols, and it uses the same colours as squares 15 and 29.
Videos to watch for assistance with this square:
- Picking up stitches to begin a new square (February blog)
- Mattress stitch (horizontal) (February blog)
- How to carry yarns up the side of the work (February blog)
- How to thread beads onto your yarn (February blog
- How to bead, the slip-stitch method (February blog)
- How to knit fairisle (February blog)
It doesn’t matter which option you choose for this square – it doesn’t have to match your choices for Squares 15 and 29. But if you fancy a bit of fairisle – not too much, just 18 rows in total – go for this one. And if you need a reminder of the fairisle technique, you can scroll back to the February blog for some guidance.
After the feedback I had about the chart for Square 15, Taurus, you will see that the chart on page 7 has been drafted up in the same way as Square 29, Pisces, with a white background. Hopefully you will agree that this is far easier to work from as it's not so hard on the eyes.
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.
SQUARE 3, LIBRA (Option Two): this is the easier alternative and uses the same colours as Option One.
Videos to watch for assistance with this square:
- Picking up stitches to begin a new square (February blog)
- Mattress stitch (horizontal) (February blog)
- How to carry yarns up the side of the work (February blog)
- How to thread beads onto your yarn (February blog
- How to bead, the slip-stitch method (February blog)
Despite the different name, this square is exactly the same as Option Two for squares 15 and 22. So if you’ve already knitted them, you will find this square an easy one to knit. It has the same beaded stripes as Option One, but the fairisle is replaced with a textured stitch with Indigo hooked-in beads. 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.
SQUARE 22, LUNAR (Option One): this is the second cable square in the blanket, but this one is knitted in two colours which will put your intarsia skills to the test again.
Videos to watch for assistance with this square:
- NEW! How to cast on using several colours
- NEW! Square 22, Lunar (Option One), how to cross over the yarns
- How to cable (March blog)
It does not matter which option you choose for this square, so go for whichever one you fancy.
Before you start knitting, make sure that you read the Addendums which I mentioned earlier on in this blog. There are some corrections to the pattern instructions which you need to be aware of.
For this square you can work from either worded instructions or a chart. If you have not knitted from a cable chart before then it might be a good idea to give it a go as this one is straightforward to follow. If you look at the chart on page 12, you can see long diagonal lines which represent c8f, and ‘x’s which represent reverse stitches (knit on WS, purl on RS).
The tricky part is the intarsia - there are five vertical stripes to knit. For each strip I wound the yarn onto a bobbin (which you can see in my tech vid) as I found this much easier to manage than using large balls of wool. I filled each bobbin right up and had enough to complete each section without running out. Any left over yarn can be kept and used to knit other squares (it is far better to have yarn left over than run out halfway up a cable).
It is advisable to watch both tech vids before you begin this square. In the first one I demonstrate how to cast on using several colours. It is a generic video and not specific to this square, but it enables you to see how it’s done. I demonstrate two different techniques – Thumb and Cable cast-on.
In the second tech vid I demonstrate how to cross over the yarns at the colour changes. Unlike the standard intarsia technique, yarns are crossed over on the right side of the work, which creates the vertical broken lines that you can see in the image on page 10. It is not difficult to do, you just need to get used to crossing them over on wrong side rows. It might seem a bit strange at first, but because of the repetitive nature of the pattern, you will quickly get used to it.
Just one last thing about this square. Block and press it with the right side facing, as mentioned in the Pattern note and tips on page 10. I would advise to block and press all cable patterns with a reverse stocking stich background this way as it is far easier to pin them out this way rather than with the wrong side facing up.
SQUARE 22, LUNAR (Option Two): if you don’t fancy knitting intarsia cables, then this is the alternative choice for Lunar. It’s a vertical slip-stitch pattern in a three-colour stripe.
Videos to watch for assistance with this square:
- How to carry yarns up the side of the work (February blog)
I find three-colour stripe patterns really intriguing, and when you throw a slip-stitch into the mix, things get even more exciting!
Once you have joined in all three yarns, they are not cut off until the square is completed. Simply carry them up the side of the work at the end of each row, making sure that they are neat and not pulled too tightly. The hardest thing about this pattern is making sure that you pick up the correct yarn at the beginning of each new row – it is easy to work two rows in one colour if you're not careful. At the beginning of each row all you need to do is pick up the next colour in line – and it’s easy because it’s the yarn that’s sitting there waiting for you!
It's on all the RS rows that the stitches are slipped, and on all the WS rows that the stitches are knitted or purled – there are no slipped stitches on WS rows. If you can remember this it will enable you to knit a bit quicker once you’ve got used to the pattern repeat.
I have written the pattern over 72 rows, but on page 15 I have also given a measurement of 18cm to work to. So if you find that 72 rows is either too long or to short, you can tweak it until it's the correct length.
SQUARE 30, CELESTIAL 2: this is similar to Square 16, but the sequence of colours has been reversed. It begins with pale, silvery shades and graduates to deeper shades of blue and green towards the top.
Videos to watch for assistance with this square:
- Picking up stitches to begin a new square (February blog)
- Mattress stitch (horizontal) (February blog)
- How to carry yarns up the side of the work (February blog)
A smaller needle is used to knit this square. This is because the constant movement of the yarn backwards and forwards between the needles creates a looser tension than stocking stitch. If you found that the needle I recommended for Square 16 did not achieve the correct tension, then make sure that you use the same needles that you used for it to knit this square.
Remember to wind Silver Ghost onto two separate bobbins before you begin – one of Silver Lurex and one of Kidsilk Haze Ghost. And you’ll have to do the same with Turquoise Daisy – that is one of Turquoise Lurex and one of Kidsilk Haze Blue Daisy.
SQUARE 36, TRANQUILITY 2: this is a recolour of Square 8 from the February mail out and uses the technique of Japanese short-row shaping.
Videos to watch for assistance with this square:
- 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)
If you can’t remember the technique of Japanese short-rows then my tech vid is worth a watch again as it demonstrates how to turn the work, attach a marker, remove a marker and close a gap. Personally I find that it’s one of those techniques that I can’t remember until I’m reminded about what to do. So I watch the tech vid and then it all falls back into place, and I can comfortably knit away without any worries.
Remember when working the stitch after you’ve attached a marker to hold the marker against the work and knit/purl the next stitch firmly so that the marker sits tight against the work.
When you remove the marker, pull firmly on the loop and make sure that it is not twisted as you place it on the left needle.
Remember to wind your Silver Lurex and Ghost yarns onto two separate bobbins and then you will find them much easier to knit with.
If you look closely at the image on page 18, you will see that there is some embroidery along the top of the Fjord lozenges. It is in the same position as the embroidery on Square 8, and likewise, it is optional. So if you prefer the square without it, leave it off. It is very subtle and just adds a hint of sparkle to the pattern. You need to use the Turquoise Lurex for this, which is on a card, and the embroidery is Swiss darning.
SQUARE 37, SOLAR: the last square to knit this month is an exact repeat of Square 9. There’s a lot going on in it, but as you’ve knitted it before, hopefully it will be relatively easy, especially with the tech vid reminders.
Videos to watch for assistance:
- How to cable (March blog)
- How to bead, the hooking-in method (February blog)
- Picking up stitches to begin a new square (February blog)
- Mattress stitch (horizontal) (Fevruary blog)
This is the square in which some of the rows on the chart correspond to the worded instructions - these are the ones that are in green. You will see that under the chart on page 23 it says for one of the symbols to ‘see instructions in green for corresponding row’.
It has been pointed out to me that the symbol on the chart for Sl 1 purlwise, should be preceded by ‘with yarn held at front’. If you read the worded instructions for rows where the stitches are slipped, such as Row 8, it says, ‘bring yarn forward between needles (towards you) and slip next stitch purlwise…’. So this is what you need to do every time you slip stitches on a WS row. It keeps the yarn at the back of the work (on the WS of the work), otherwise there will be bars across the front of the stitches. To clarify what it should look, take a look at the image of the square on page 21.
SO NOW FOR SOME TIPS AND STORIES FROM THE MEMBERS, BEGINNING WITH MARY LEESON FROM LOUGHBOROUGH, UK, WHO YOU MIGHT REMEMBER LAST MONTH COULDN’T DECIDE WHICH OPTION TO KNIT FOR SQUARE 15, TAURUS, SO SHE COMBINED BOTH OF THEM IN ONE SQUARE. So, for Square 29, Pisces, she decided to create another hybrid square, and this is what she came up with:
Mary says: “Here's my Pisces, Square 29. It's Option Two with an Option One middle band. I've hooked beads into the middle band.”
What another super idea Mary! And as with Square 15, you’ve got the best of both worlds again! I wonder what you will come up with for Square 3, Libra? Be sure to write in and let us know!
ANNABEL CASEY FROM BANBURY, OXFORDSHIRE, UK, HAS A FABULOUS TECHNIQUE FOR LOADING UP THE BEADS ONTO FLOSS FOR THE HOOKING-IN METHOD. This is something I have seen done by knitters at workshops, but afterwards I can never remember how to do it. So Annabel has very kindly created a 4-step pictorial guide to show how it works:
These images make it super clear, and I will certainly reference them when I next hook in beads. It’s a much more efficient way to hook in rather than picking up each bead individually. And the added bonus is that if there is a multi-colour sequence, the beads can be threaded on and loaded up in sequence, ready to use. All round this is definitely a winner and I will be giving it a go. Thanks so much Annabel!
MARIA DIDONNA FROM BLOOMINGDALE, ILLINOIS, USA, ALSO HAD A VERY USEFUL TIP TO SHARE. This time it’s a tip for stopping the lurex yarn from fraying. Because of the way this yarn has been spun, it will undo if the loose end is pulled. So Maria found this neat little gadget which can be used to cauterize the end of the yarn. It is battery run and has a small heated filament which gets very hot and will seal the fibres together. I went straight out and bought one, and it’s great fun to use!
Maria says: “I just did an experiment on the lurex thread. If you use the Thread Zapper it will prevent it from unravelling. By using it on the lurex thread it also made it easier to thread on the needle. You just need a bigger eye on the needle for it to work.
I recently purchased some wide-eye needles as well. I cut one end with wire cutters and I'm using it to hook the yarn for the hooking method and am using the other one for stringing beads. They work great especially if you have arthritis in your hands”.
I love a gadget, and these are both very useful for the blanket. I have some of those wide-eye needles and use them a lot when I am beading. Thanks for sharing all of this with us Maria. Any tips to make knitting a bit easier are always very welcome!
THE MYSTERY CLUB MEETINGS AT ‘YARN LOFT’ IN NOTTINGHAM ARE BACK ON AND IT WOULD BE GREAT TO SEE YOU IF YOU CAN MAKE IT! We meet up on the first Wednesday of the month between 4-6pm and spend a couple of hours knitting and nattering while Doreen keeps us topped up with hot drinks and something sweet to eat.
Our last meeting was on the 6th March, and the banter was interesting and varied, as usual, with plenty of giggles too as we knitted and chatted together in Doreen’s gorgeous shop.
As you can see in the images above and below, great progress was made with the blanket squares, and I was super pleased to hear how enthusiastic everyone was about the project! All of the ladies had guessed the title, so we talked about that too and about what could be in store in the remaining mail outs. This was very interesting for me to hear, but don’t worry, I didn’t say a word about what is to come!
Yarn Loft is at 118 Hucknall Road, Carrington, Nottingham, tel number 07825 702433, website: www.yarnloft.co.uk. If you are able to join us, then do pop down. It would be lovely to see you.
To cover the costs of hosting the meeting there is a small sub to pay (£3.00), which can be paid in cash to Doreen on the day.
DON’T FORGET TO 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
I AM PLANNING TO LAUNCH THE MEMBER’S GALLERY IN APRIL – A LITTLE OVERDUE BUT WORTH THE WAIT! I had intended to put it live in February, just before the Mystery Blanket Club started. But I got so horrendously busy that it stayed in the middle of my to-do list. However, it is now at the top of it and will be launched this month. So if you have any ‘Debbie’ projects that you would like to share (including pics of your completed ‘mystery’ projects), please do send them in and I will include them. It’s always great to see what you’ve been knitting and to share all your wonderful creations with knitters globally. Please send them directly to me at, debbie@debbieabrahams.com with a few words if you can, and I’ll be sure to include it.
AND FINALLY, IT’S TIME TO FIND OUT WHO THE WINNER IS OF THE THIRD 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 THREE (APRIL): this month’s winner is member 467, Evelyne Zueblin from Gland in Switzerland. Well done Evelyne! 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 Evelyne to let her know the good news!
So now you are up to speed with all this month’s news, it’s time to grab your knitting needles and make a start on the April squares. I am looking forward to spending some time with my family over the Easter holidays and am glad to say that the Easter Bunny was extremely kind to me and brought me plenty of chocolate to help me through the next couple of weeks. I hope he’s been kind to you too and that you have a super Easter break. Until next time, take care and happy knitting everyone! Debbie x
