Mystery Blanket Club 2025: April, post 3

HELLO AND WELCOME TO THE THIRD INSTALMENT OF THE 2025 MYSTERY BLANKET CLUB! We are gathering speed this month with five squares to knit which include some new stitch patterns, beads and stripes to keep you busy for the next four weeks!

The weather seems to be settling here in the UK, and we even managed last month to get the garden furniture out to enjoy some lovely warm Spring sunshine. I love this time of year when the flowers are gradually starting to bloom and there are fresh buds on the trees. To be able to relax and knit in the garden is quite a treat, and I am looking forward to more of those days as we move into the warmer months.

So onto all the news for this month’s squares, beginning with two new tech vids. The first one shows you how to knit the textured pattern in Square 16 Sandy Squiggles, and the second one demonstrates how to knit the beaded lace stitch in Square 17 Fishbones.

Remember that there are all the other vids too from previous blogs that you can access if you need further assistance. You will find all of them in our Tutorials area on our website which you can access via a button at the top of the Homepage.

• Square 16, Sandy Squiggles
• Square 17, Fishbones

This is a list of all the other tech vids used in this year’s Mystery Blanket so far which are in our Tutorials:

• How to carry yarns up the side of the work
• Picking up stitches to begin a new square
• How to thread beads onto yarn
• How to bead, the slip-stitch method
• How to cable
• Mattress stitch, horizontal
• Understanding lace stitches
• Square 37, Barnacles (lace and bead stitch)
• How to knit contrast-coloured bobbles
• How to knit fairisle
• Hooked-in beads
• Chain stitch
• Square 2, Gentle Waves (textured slip-stitch pattern)
• Square 3, Shells (textured beaded stitch)

THE APRIL PRINTED PATTERNS ARE ON THEIR WAY TO THE MEMBERS WHO OPTED FOR THEM, so keep an eye out for your postie if you have not received them yet. The overseas were posted ahead of the UK by only a few days, so apologies if they arrive a little late. But remember that you can always download the digital file from your Debbie Abrahams account if you want to familiarise yourself with the patterns before your printed patterns arrive.

THERE ARE A COUPLE OF ADDENDUM ALERTS TO TELL YOU ABOUT, BOTH OF THEM ARE FOR SQUARE 2, GENTLE WAVES (OPT 2) FROM THE FEBRUARY MAIL-OUT. Rows 25-48 and 49-66 should be worked by repeating rows 7-14, and not rows 3-10. I think most of you worked this out for yourselves, but it is worth noting in case you have not knitted this square yet.

The second correction is only minor and will probably go unnoticed by most of you as it does not affect the pattern instructions. It’s the description of Square 45, Glimmer, on page 14 of the March mail-out. It says under the title that it is a slip stitch pattern, but it should say:

Stocking stitch pattern with hooked-in beads.

These corrections have been added to the Addendum page on our website which can be found via a link at the bottom of the Homepage:

https://debbieabrahams.com/pages/addendum

IT HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT SOME OF THE BALL-BANDS ON THE ROWAN DENIM REVIVE YARN HAVE THE INCORRECT SHADE NUMBER ON THEM. It only seems to have affected a small batch of this yarn, but nonetheless it has caused confusion for some of you. So just to be clear, the two balls of Denim Revive in your kit are shade number 222 Stonewash (the lighter one), and shade number 223 Indigo (the darker one). So if the shade numbers on your ball-bands don’t match these, just ignore what it says as these are definitely the correct colours.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS SIGNED UP TO THE 2025 MYSTERY CUSHION CLUB. We have sold almost all of the memberships for this year within the first month with just a handful left. Many of you were lucky enough to qualify for our Early Bird offer and will be gifted our special Mystery Cushion Club commemorative  tote bag, as well as being entered into the Prize Draw (find out below if you are a winner!). And you also benefited from the extra 5% discount off the cost of the membership for being a Mystery Blanket Club member this year – so that was 10% discount in total!

Despite the Early Bird offer coming to an end, all 2025 Mystery Blanket Club members can still claim 5% discount off the cost of the Mystery Cushion membership. So if you have not signed up yet, it’s something you might want to add to this week's to-do list.

These are the results of the Prize Draw. Check to see if you are a winner!

Winner of Prize 1 is Andrea Gostick from Purley, Greater London, UK: 2025 Mystery Cushion Club membership (we will refund what you paid in full)

Winner of Prize 2 is Elaine Workman from Bristol, UK: 2025 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 Susan Swain from Nantwich, Cheshire, UK: 2025 Festive Mystery Knit Box (released in November)

Winner of Prize 4 is Angela Luscombe from Plymouth, Devon, UK: A knitting kit of your choice up to the value of £40 from the selection on our website

Winner of Prize 5 is Felicity Miller from Chislehurst, Bromley, UK: 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 2025 Mystery Cushion Club is all about…

The Mystery Cushion is a smaller project than the blanket, with the first instalment out of five starting on 14^th 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.

Once you’ve signed up all you need to do it sit back and wait for your knitting kit to arrive at your door, and then enjoy five glorious months of inspirational and super colourful knitting using some of Rowan’s finest and most luxurious yarns including Felted Tweed, Soft Yak and their beautiful new yarn, Pure Alpaca, which I  have combined with my own self-branded Light Wool DK yarn and sparkling beads.

So what about some hints?!? If you love vibrant bold colours and super colourful designs, then this cushion is right up your street! Stripes and textured stitches are combined with busy fairisle patterns, and of course there are lots of sparkling beads in it too! The design is inspired by a 2025 Spring/Summer print trend, so you’ll be knitting up a contemporary design that will add cool style and sophistication to your own home furnishings!

Above (and below): a glimpse of the 2025 Mystery Cushion colour palette...

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 knitting kit option only.

Feeling tempted?!? As with all my Mystery Clubs, memberships are limited and once they have sold out the Club will be closed. And with this being the last Mystery Cushion in the collection, memberships are expected to sell out soon. 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, so come join me for one last time, it’s going to be so much fun!

WHAT BETTER WAY TO CELEBRATE EASTER THAN A SALE AND A NEW KIT LAUNCH! So if you enjoy a bit of a bargain, head over to our online shop to browse our fabulous bead collection where you will find over fifty-five colours in two sizes, all at 20% discount for a limited time.

We are also celebrating the Easter season with the launch of a new colourway in our Lavish collection. Here is our new kit, the Lavish Purse recoloured in a cool blue/green colourway with a scattering of Indigo and Clear sparkling beads.  Knitted in the round using Rowan Kid Classic and my own branded 100% wool yarn, it’s the perfect small project to tuck away in your bag and take away with you for some weekend knitting.

We are offering 10% off this new kit and the original colourway of the Lavish Purse, plus the matching Lavish cushion kit for a limited time.

Above: Lavish Cushion.

Our Easter Special Offer promotion expires at midnight on the 12^th April, so if you fancy treating yourself to a new knitting kit or stocking up on your Debbie Abrahams beads, be sure to head straight over to our online shop now!

THE TITLE OF THE MYSTERY BLANKET HAS BEEN GUESSED BY SOME MORE OF YOU OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS, so congrats to all these lovely members who got it right (well done!): Linda Etherington, Steph Prutton, Xanthe Wells, Julia Green, Susanne Ihmig, Melanie Campbell, Jenece Robinson, Gillian Bridge, Sandra Vargas and Thea Van Liempd and Hilary Phillips.

By my count that is seventy-one of you who have now guessed the title correctly, so that means there are four-hundred and twenty-nine of you who are still trying to work it out. So I am going to give you another letter in the clue below to see if it triggers any ideas, but remember that there are also lots of clues in the squares you have knitted so far and are about to knit this month.

The letter I am giving you this month is “A”.

_  _  _   / _  _  A  _  _  O  R  _ 

Please send your guesses to me at debbie@debbieabrahams.com - there are no prizes for the correct answer, it is simply a bit of fun each month. And if you do get it right, with your permission I will include your name in the next blog. Good luck everyone!

THERE ARE FIVE SQUARES TO KNIT THIS MONTH:

Square 16, Sandy Squiggles – moss stitch and textured stitch stripes (same for both options):

Square 17, Fishbones – lace stitch with hooked-in beads (same for both options):

Square 29, Estuary – slip stitch pattern with hooked-in beads (same for both options):

Square 44, Gentle Dunes (opt 1) – garter stitch, moss stitch and fairisle stripes with hooked-in beads:

Square 44, Gentle Dunes (opt 2) –embroidered waves with hooked-in beads and textured stitches:

Square 45, Glimmer – stocking stitch 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 16, SANDY SQUIGGLES:  moss stitch stripes in soft Camel are alternated with a textured purl stitch to create an all-over easy to knit pattern.

Videos to watch for assistance with this square:

• Square 16, Sandy Squiggles (NEW THIS MONTH!).
• Picking up stitches to begin a new square (find it in Tutorials).
• Mattress stitch (horizontal) (find it in Tutorials).
• How to carry yarns up the side of the work (find it in Tutorials).

The needle sizes used for this square are smaller than the main recommended size, which you can see in the boxed information on the far left-hand side of page 5 (3.25mm and 2.50mm). It is important to change needle size when instructed to keep the square a uniform width. The smaller needles are used for the moss stitch stripes in Camel which are a different tension to the stripes in Mocha.

There is a new tech vid this month which shows how to knit the textured purl stitch, so this is well worth a watch before you start knitting. Basically it is created by increasing into every stitch purlwise on a wrong-side row, then purling these two stitches together on the following right-side row. This means that at the end of Row 10, for example, there will be almost twice the number of stitches on your needle, but these are decreased back to the original number on Row 11.

Once Mocha has been joined in there is no need to cut it off as you will always be at the correct end of the row when you need it next. However, to avoid long loops at the side edges, you will need to remember to carry it up the side of the work when it is not in use. If you need some guidance as how to do this nice and neatly, check out my tech vid for this technique which you will find in our Tutorials under 'Knitting Basics'.

SQUARE 17, FISHBONES: basic lace stitches are combined with hooked-in beads to create a pretty all-over eyelet pattern.

Videos to watch for assistance with this square:

• Square 17, Fishbones (NEW THIS MONTH!).
• Picking up stitches to begin a new square: (find it in Tutorials).
• Mattress stitch, horizontal: (find it in Tutorials).
• Understanding lace stitches (find it in Tutorials).
• Hooked-in beads (find it in Tutorials).

There are just two rows in this pattern which are repeated throughout the whole square. On the odd numbered rows you will be doing most of the work and creating eyelets by bringing the yarn forward between the needles (yf) and leaving it there at the front of the work as you work the next stitch. It is essential that you leave the yarn at the front of the work at this point, otherwise you won’t achieve the increase (yarn over). If you need some guidance on how to knit lace stitches then there is a tech vid in our Tutorials which shows all the different combinations of increases and decreases, including yf, skpo and K2tog which are used in this square.

There is no variable stitch count, despite the increases and decreases in the pattern repeat. This is because the number of increases in each row matches the number of decreases, so the stitch count remains the same throughout.

Probably the trickiest thing about this pattern is the hooking-in of the beads between the yarn forwards (yf). You need to make sure that after you’ve hooked in the bead, you keep the yarn at the front of the work as you knit the beaded stitch. The yarn can very easily fall to the back of the work, and if it does, you won’t achieve the increase. So be sure to take extra care at this point in the pattern.

The pattern instructs you to work 52 rows in total, or knit until your knitting measures 18cm. So depending on your row tension, you may knit fewer rows than this, or more rows. It actually doesn’t matter how many rows you knit as long as the completed square measures 18cm. But make sure that you keep a note of how many rows you work, just in case it pops up again in a future mail-out – which it may well do!

SQUARE 29, ESTUARY: this beaded slip-stitch pattern is similar to Square 3 Shells, but the change in colour to shades of blue gives it a whole fresh new look and feel.

Videos to watch for assistance with this square:

• Square 3, Shells (textured beaded stitch) (find it in Tutorials).
• Hooked-in beads (find it in Tutorials).
• Picking up stitches to begin a new square: (find it in Tutorials).
• Mattress stitch, horizontal: (find it in Tutorials).
• How to carry yarns up the side of the work: (find it in Tutorials).

The needle size used for this square is smaller than the main recommended size, and you can see it in the boxed information on the far left-hand side of page 8, it’s 3.25mm. (Note that this is different to the needle size used for Shells, which was 3.00mm). This is one metric size smaller than the recommended needle size for the project (which is 3.50mm).

The stitch structure is the same as Square 3 Shells, but if you can’t recall how you knitted that square and need some guidance – especially for rows 1, 2 and 5 – take a look at my tech vid for this technique which you will find in Tutorials under ‘Mystery Blanket 2025’.

Once they are joined in there is no need cut off either of the two yarns used in this square – Maritime and Pacific –  but just remember to carry them up the side of the work when they are not in use to avoid long loop at the side edges.

SQUARE 44, GENTLE DUNES (opt 1): soft gentle dunes knitted using the fairisle technique are combined with textured stitches and hooked-in beads to create a soothing pattern in shades of biscuit and stone.

Videos to watch for assistance with this square:

• How to knit fairisle (find it in Tutorials).
• Hooked-in beads (find it in Tutorials).
• Square 2, Gentle Waves (textured slip-stitch pattern) (find it in Tutorials).
• Picking up stitches to begin a new square: (find it in Tutorials).
• Mattress stitch, horizontal: (find it in Tutorials).
• How to carry yarns up the side of the work: (find it in Tutorials).

There are two options for this square, and this is the trickier one because it has fairisle in it. It does not matter which option you choose, and it does not have to be the same as your choice for the first fairisle square in the blanket, Square 2 Gentle Waves. You can choose to mix it up a bit if you want!

This square has a very similar structure to Square 2, Gentle Waves, but the colours of the yarns and beads are different. There are two charts on page 11, which like the charts for Gentle Waves, have a white (blank) background, with Camel in colour. I know from comments I have read in the social media groups and discussions about these charts we’ve had at Yarn Loft that some of you got very confused when knitting Gentle Waves as the darker colour (Maritime) was the background colour and white on the chart, and the lighter colour (Alabaster) was the darker colour on the chart. I can completely understand why you got confused, but we did this so that the grid lines on the chart could be seen more easily. However, those of you who did struggle will find the charts for Gentle Dunes far easier to follow as the lighter colour (Alabaster) is the background colour and white on the chart, and the darker colour (Camel) is the darker colour on the chart. Hurray, I hear you say!

As with Square 2, the fairisle sections are knitted on 3.50mm needles with all the other rows knitted on 2.50mm needles. This change in needle size is to accommodate the differences in tension between the different stitch structures.

If you need a reminder of how to knit fairisle then take a look at the tech vid for this technique which you will find in Tutorials under ‘Colour Knitting Techniques’. My demo shows you to how to strand and weave-in, which are the two fundamental techniques used in fairisle knitting.

The Shell and Clear beads are difficult to see in the image on page 12, so just be extra careful that you use the correct colours when instructed. Shell are in the lower and upper sections, and Clear are in the middle section.

SQUARE 44, GENTLE DUNES (opt 2): this is the easier option if you don’t fancy tackling fairisle, with the wavy contrast-coloured lines replaced with chain stitch embroidery.

Videos to watch for assistance with this square:

• Hooked-in beads (find it in Tutorials).
• Square 2, Gentle Waves (textured slip-stitch pattern) (find it in Tutorials).
• Picking up stitches to begin a new square: (find it in Tutorials).
• Mattress stitch, horizontal: (find it in Tutorials).

It does not matter which option you choose for this square, and it does not have to be the same as your choice for the first fairisle square in the blanket, Square 2 Gentle Waves. You can choose to mix it up a bit if you want!

The advice for this square is pretty similar to Option One, minus the fairisle. If you need guidance with hooking-in beads or the textured slip-stitch, there are tech vids to help you with these techniques. There is also a tech vid for chain stitch embroidery.

If you whizzed your way through Gentle Waves without any problems, then you should find this square just as straight forward to knit.

SQUARE 45, GLIMMER: this all-over beaded pattern uses the hooked-in technique, with vertical wavy lines of super sparkly beads in alternating colours of Blue and Clear.

Videos to watch for assistance with this square:

• Hooked-in beads (find it in Tutorials).
• Picking up stitches to begin a new square: (find it in Tutorials).
• Mattress stitch, horizontal: (find it in Tutorials).

The needle size used for this square is smaller than the main recommended size, and you can see it in the boxed information on the far left-hand side of page 14, it’s 3.25mm. This is one metric size smaller than the recommended needle size for the project.

This square is worked entirely from a chart, which you will find on page 15. Apart from getting to grips with the hooking-in technique, the trickiest thing about this square is making sure that you hook-in the correct colour bead, which means following the chart very carefully. There are Blue beads and Clear beads, the latter represented on the chart by a black circle with an inner black circle.

Once you get to grips with the hooking-in technique, this is an easy square to knit, but a little fiddly and time-consuming too. So make sure you are sitting in your most comfortable chair with a cuppa and a biscuit, and enjoy!

I WAS THRILLED TO RECEIVE A LOVELY MESSAGE FROM MARIA CHRIST FROM AUSTRIA, WHO IS KNITTING HER FIRST MYSTERY BLANKET THIS YEAR. By the sounds of it, she is really enjoying the experience and was keen to share her thoughts about the project so far. This is what Maria had to say:

“Today I removed this months' last square from blocking. As an average skilled knitter I'm well in time and very happy with the result.

In my opinion, you build up the instructions for the blanket very well. We had enough time to get into working and to get used to the basics. The squares are not too big - it is possible to just knit a few rows after a day at work in the evening. Stitches vary, the patterns are interesting but not too difficult.  And your guidance is really cool - written and drawn instructions and loads of tech vids. Having been a teacher for children with learning and behavioural issues for nearly 30 years now, I recognize good instruction and appreciate this very much.

My favourite so far is Barnacles - I hope there will be the opportunity to redo this one! This was the first time I had to watch a vid - so many possibilities to create an eyelet in your country! The most difficult thing was when I watched you knitting for the first time. It was like "Whatever is Debbie doing???" It looked completely different from how we do it in Austria. We wind the yarn round our left index finger and fix it there, and that is where it stays while knitting... But once I got used to your technique it was easy!”

It is inspiring to hear how much you are enjoying the project Maria! And interesting too to hear your thoughts about lace knitting. We certainly do have more than just one way to describe how to create an eyelet, but all methods, whatever you do, have the same result – we’re just a bit more wordy about it here in the UK! It’s always good to learn something new though. And Barnacles, will there be another one? You’ll have to wait and see as I’m saying nothing! The ‘mystery’ continues…

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 few years ago and has grown in size to over 800 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 SECOND MYSTERY CLUB MEETING OF THE YEAR AT ‘YARN LOFT’ IN NOTTINGHAM WAS A VERY ENJOYABLE COUPLE OF HOURS SPENT IN THE COMPANY OF SOME VERY LOVELY PEOPLE! And although the group was small, there was just as much banter and hilarity as usual!

As well as Mystery Blanket squares being knitted (they were so lovely and inspiring to see!), we had a chat about many different things, not just knitting, as we enjoyed a hot drink and a cake.

As you can see, Doreen’s shop is like a yarn-lover's dream, packed to the ceiling with beautiful colourful yarns, a huge collection of knitting and crochet needles and accessories, and a wonderful book shelf with a huge selection of books that I spent some time browsing through (and I made a purchase too – you can never have too many knitting books, can you!).

Our next meeting at Yarn Loft will be on Wednesday the 2ns April, so if you live locally and can pop in to the shop, do come and join us. Yarn Loft is at 118 Hucknall Road, Carrington, Nottingham, tel number 07825 702433, website: www.yarnloft.co.uk. Meetings are held between 4-6pm and 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.

See you there!

AND FINALLY, IT’S TIME TO ANNOUNCE THE WINNER OF THE THIRD 2025 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 001, Kirstie Anwyl-Hughes from Worcerster, UK. Well done Kirstie! 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: 2025 Mystery Cushion Club or 2026 Mystery Blanket Club.
• A Mystery bag of five gifts!

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

So now it’s time to make a start on your April squares, and with all the tips and advice in this month’s blog, together with the tech vids for back-up, I know you are going to sail through them this month! Keep your guesses coming in for the title of the Mystery Blanket, and if you have any stories or pics to share, then please send them in to me at debbie@debbieabrahams.com and with your permission I will include them in the next blog. With the promise of over ten days of sunshine here in Nottingham I am planning to spend some time in the garden – at long last! And hopefully you will be out and about too, enjoying the warm weather. But wherever you are, and whether it’s rain or shine, I hope you have a fabulous April and wish you much peace, love and happiness this Easter. Until we meet up again here next month, take care everyone and happy knitting, Debbie x