Mystery Blanket Club 2025: post 2, March

WELCOME TO THE SECOND INSTALMENT OF THE 2025 MYSTERY BLANKET CLUB! We are just three weeks into the project and from what I can hear you are all settling in well and embracing this new challenge with heaps of positivity! I am thrilled to have received lots of lovely comments about the squares you’ve knitted so far, so hopefully your enthusiasm will continue throughout March with four more squares to knit up this month.

I am super excited this month because our sign-ups for my 2025 Mystery Cushion Club have now opened, so there is a whole new knitting adventure for you to take part in. This is an extra special Mystery club because it will be the last one in the Mystery Cushion collection – number fifteen in the series – so I do hope you decide to join me. Read on for more information about the club and our fabulous Early Bird Special Offer later on in this blog…

OUR NEW DEDICATED ONLINE TUTORIALS SPACE ON OUR WEBSITE SEEMS TO BE WORKING WELL, and it is where you can find demos for some of the more tricky techniques in the blanket. Below there are links to some new tech vids that you might find useful for this month’s squares. But if you want to check out any other techniques then simply tap on the Tutorials tab at the top of our Homepage and it will take you straight there!

Here is a list of the new tech vids for this month. There are six to assist you with knitting your March squares:

• 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)

These are the tech vids from the February blog which you can access via the Tutorials tab at the top of our Homepage:

• 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).

THIS IS A REMINDER OF WHO LOOKS AFTER WHAT AND THE PERSON YOU NEED TO CONTACT IF YOU NEED ANY HELP AND ADVICE WITH YOUR MYSTERY BLANKET PROJECT:

·       For technical support with accessing your account: Jason at support@debbieabrahams.com

·       For changes of postal and/or address, addition of printed patterns, payment queries, change of membership ownership: Sue at sue@debbieabrahams.com

·       For knitting kit and pattern queries and anything else: Debbie debbie@debbieabrahams.com

THE MARCH 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. They were all posted week commencing 17^th February in a board-backed envelope, with the overseas posted ahead of the UK. 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.

THIS IS HOW YOU DOWNLOAD THE MAIL-OUT FROM YOUR DEBBIE ABRAHAMS ACCOUNT ON OUR WEBSITE:

• Log into the website with your username and password: https://debbieabrahams.com/account/login
• Under "MYSTERY CLUB DOWNLOADS" click "View all downloads"
• Your latest available mail-outs will be visible here in PDF format to download

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, and so you might find that while tension using the main needle size is working out fine, some of the other needle size changes are not working out. Therefore, if this happens to you, it is important that you correct it by changing to a needle size that achieves the correct tension, and then 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 on your mail out if you’ve got a printed copy, or if you are working digitally, in a notebook. That way you will have a record you can refer to as and when needed. All members, including the printed pattern members, will find each of the remaining mail-outs in their Debbie Abrahams account on the first of each month from March - November.

I KNOW THAT SOME OF THE YOU ARE ONLY JUST MAKING A START ON YOUR 2025 BLANKET, SO I AM GOING TO REPEAT FROM LAST MONTH THE INFO ABOUT THE NON-EXISTENT ‘SILT’ IN YOUR PARCEL. Kindly note that it is NOT included in your first parcel. It is listed on the Welcome letter in your kit because we had them printed some time ago, and then I made a recent decision to swap some of the colours about in parcel one and parcel two. We did however send you an email which said at the beginning that there was a correction to the contents of your kit and that Silt would not be included. It was the email we sent you around the 21^st January which included a link to the Welcome letter. The Welcome letter which is in your Debbie Abrahams account that you may or may not have accessed yet, is correct, as is the list of yarns on page 2 of your February and March mail-outs.

IF YOU ARE GETTING IN A BIT OF A PICKLE WITH YOUR SILVER LUREX YARN, THEN I HAVE SOME ADVICE FOR YOU. It has a tendency to fall off the cone quite easily and become tangled. So an easy way to stop this is to put the cone inside a pop-sock or stocking while you are working with it, and the friction as it rubs against the stocking will stop it from spiralling and falling off the cone.

You will also find that the lurex yarn unravels if you pull on a loose end of it and it will continue to unravel unless you stop it. So I would advise that every time you use it, knot the end when you begin knitting with it and then knot the other end when you’ve cut it off and finished using it. Then it won’t unravel, and you will be a much happier knitter!

NOW FOR SOME SUPER EXCITING NEWS ABOUT THE LAUNCH OF MY 2025 MYSTERY CUSHION CLUB, WHICH IS ON SALE IN OUR ONLINE SHOP NOW!  I launched my first Mystery Cushion in 2011, and after fifteen years I have decided to end the journey with one final design to complete this unique and exclusive collection. So if you haven’t taken part in my Mystery Cushion Club before, this is your final chance!

If you’re new to the Mystery Cushion Club then it’s a smaller project than the blanket, beginning 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.

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. If you like bold, vibrant colours then this could be the cushion you’ve always dreamed of knitting!

The knitting kit includes Rowan yarn, Debbie Abrahams self-branded yarn, Debbie Abrahams Beads and buttons for fastening.

**Early Bird Offer!** Sign up before 31^st March 2025 to take advantage of these special celebratory additions to your membership:

·       An exclusive MCC11-MCC25 Printed Canvas Tote Bag: designed with a specially designed print to celebrate my fifteen Mystery Cushions, it’s the perfect accessory to store your Mystery Cushion project in. The bag will be shipped in June with your knitting kit (for knitting kit and pattern only memberships).

·       *New member 5% discount: this discount is for knitters who did not sign up to the 2025 Mystery Blanket Club (for knitting kit memberships only).

·       *MBC25 member 10% discount: if you are a 2025 Mystery Blanket Club member you get an extra 5% discount on the cost of the basic membership (for knitting kit memberships only).

*the discount is on the cost of the basic membership excluding shipping and any additional extras.

·       Free Prize Draw: entry into a Free Prize Draw, with the chance to win one of five great prizes (for knitting kit and pattern only memberships):

Prize 1: 2025 Mystery Cushion Club membership (we will refund what you paid in full).

Prize 2: 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).

Prize 3: 2025 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).

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 a huge dose of style and sophistication to your own home furnishings.

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. And with this being the last Mystery Cushion in the collection, memberships are expected to sell quickly. So don’t delay in getting yourself signed up, especially if you want to take advantage of our fabulous Early Bird offer, which expires on the 31^st March. 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 heaps of fun!

IF YOU FANCY A SMALLER PROJECT TO WORK ON ALONGSIDE YOUR BLANKET KNITTING, THEN BEADYKNITS HAVE A FABULOUS NEW KIT YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN! Jenny has designed this lovely hanging rose-scented bag that would make the perfect gift to give to somebody special for any celebratory occasion. With Mother’s Day not far away, it would make the perfect gift for her!

The ‘Be My Valentine’ scented bag kit is great for beginners who want to learn the technique of beading, (hooked-in and thread-on), offering a gentle introduction within a small achievable project. The main detail is Swiss-darned (no intarsia or fairisle). And the ribbon ties make it easy to hang anywhere around the home!

The kit includes Ricoh Cotton Essentials DK yarn, Debbie Abrahams beads (size 6), length of silky ribbon, a bag of Rose Pot-Pourri*, a red heart button and pattern instructions.

Kit Price:
'Be My Valentine' Scented Bag Kit: £17.00 + p&p
or SPECIAL OFFER! Buy 2 for £30! Saving £4!
(Shipping costs calculated upon order)
*Due to export restrictions I am unable to send Rose Pot Pourri to Europe / USA / Worldwide.

If you have any questions, please contact Jenny at: Jenny@BeadyKnits.com
To view further kits, please visit her Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/BeadyKnitsByJenny?

Kindly note that this product is NOT available to buy in the Debbie Abrahams online shop and must be bought directly from BeadyKnits.

OUR MOTHER’S DAY MYSTERY KNIT BOXES WILL BE ON SALE FROM FRIDAY 7^TH MARCH, so if you want the perfect gift to give to her on this extra special day, make sure that you keep an eye on your box for our launch email.

Sue and I have great fun putting the Mystery Boxes together, and after browsing hundreds of products including a day out at the NEC Spring Gift Fair we are delighted with all the beautiful things we have carefully selected. There are eight items in each box, including beauty, stationery and something sweet to eat. Plus there’s a new knitting kit using Summerlite DK, designed by me.

Above: Festive Mystery Boxes being packed ready for posting...what could be in store for the Mother's Day Mystery Boxes?!?...

We have chosen the theme of the Sea for this year’s box and the knitting kit is a lace and bead small summer bag in pale and mid-denim blues. But that’s all the info I am going to give you – to find out what else is in the box you will have to place your order! But don’t delay as we only have 100 boxes and they sell out fast.

The Mother’s Day Mystery Knit Boxes will be shipped week commencing Monday 10^th March so that they arrive in time for Mother’s Day which in the UK is on Sunday 30th March 2025.

I WAS VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE KNOWN AND WORKED ALONGSIDE THE BRILLIANT KNITWEAR DESIGNER JEAN MOSS, AND FELT VERY HONOURED TO BE ASKED TO CONTRIBUTE TO A BOOK THAT HAS RECENTLY BEEN PUBLISHED TO COMMEMORATE HER AMAZING LIFE. The book called ‘Playing It Gladly’ has been written by her husband Philip Mercer and son Felix. And together they have created the most beautiful tribute to Jean which looks back over her life from her humble beginnings in Bolton where she grew up, to becoming one of the leading and most iconic knitwear designers in the world.

Only a limited number of copies of this book have been printed, but Philip has very kindly offered to share his contact details with us, should you wish to purchase a copy. You can email him directly at moss@dircon.co.uk to place your order.

If you know of Jean’s work then this is a must-buy to add to your knitting book collection. I found it absolutely fascinating, giving an insight into Jean’s personal life as well as showcasing all her wonderful work. It is a joyful read, humbling at times, very humorous and hugely inspiring, and a fabulous tribute to this truly amazing lady.

(All images are from the book, provided by kind permission by Philip Mercer to use in this blog).

THE TITLE OF THE MYSTERY BLANKET HAS BEEN GUESSED BY MANY OF YOU OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS, so well done to everyone who got it right (it’s a long list, so hold tight!):

Catherine Gardner-Thorpe, Anne Taylor, Daphne Cavanah, Tania Ashton-Jones, Becky Edwards, Sue Lisanti, Gail Coles, Jayne Wilson, Karen Johnston, Mary Dalporto, Priscilla Norgren, Ann Ronan, Jane Waters, Alison Riddell, Alison Slater, Andrea Harman, Kirstie Anwyl-Hughes, Annie March, Barbara Medcalf, Mary Stallebrass, Paula Barham, Dawn Mindested, Erica Down, Caroline Evans, Margery Fallon, Elaine Phillips, Lindsey Brooke-Hessa, Margaret Joyce, Debby Sutcliffe, Heidi Meier, Lisa Sawyer, Samantha Berry, Kelley Coll, Sheila Jones, Linda Carey, Jane Turner, Sian Bennett, Kate Ison, Susan Cumming, Judy Landerschier, Linda Allen, Alison Cossons, Lesley Cleveland, Vanessa Briscoe, Trisha Harrison, Janet Holdsworth, Jill Traub, Pat Gordon-Smith, Joanna Halstead, Diane Pearmain, Sandra Couper, Maria Christ, Moira Stuart, Valerie McNulty, Liz Horsley, Helen Jackson (actually, her son Basil guessed it!), Kate Wood, Sophie Houston, Alison Teague and Myra Sharp – WOW! (and huge apologies if I missed anyone).

For those of you who are still not sure what the title is, I am going to give you another letter in the clue below. But remember that there are also lots of clues in the squares you are knitting, so have a look at them too and see if you can work out what it is.

This month the letter I am giving you this month is “R”.

_  _  _   / _  _  _  _  _  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. We’ve had 60 correct guesses so far. Will you be number 61?!?

THERE ARE FOUR SQUARES TO KNIT THIS MONTH:

Square 1, Mudflats & Pebbles – cables and moss stitch with bobbles and slip-stitch beads (same for both options):

Square 2, Gentle Waves (opt 1) – garter stitch, moss stitch and fairisle stripes with hooked-in beads:

Square 2, Gentle Waves (opt 2) – Swiss-darned embroidered waves with hooked-in beads and textured stitches:

Square 3, Shells – slip stitch pattern with hooked-in beads (same for both options):

Square 15, Shallow Pools – hooked-in beads on stocking stitch:

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 1, MUDFLATS & PEBBLES: this is similar to Square 43 from your first mail-out, but the cables twist in different directions and there are additional bobbles and beads.

Videos to watch for assistance with this square:

• How to knit contrast-coloured bobbles (NEW THIS MONTH!).
• Picking up stitches to begin a new square (find it in Tutorials).
• Mattress stitch (horizontal) (find it in Tutorials).
• How to thread beads onto yarn (find it in Tutorials).
• How to bead, the slip-stitch method (find it in Tutorials).
• How to cable (find it in Tutorials).

As with Square 43, the needle size used for this square is smaller than the main recommended size which you can see in the boxed information on the far left-hand side of page 5, it’s 3.25mm. This is one metric size smaller than the recommended needle size for the project.

You can choose to knit this square from worded instructions or from a chart which you’ll find on pages 6-7. The worded instructions match the chart row for row, so if you want to give the chart a go, you have the written instructions for back-up.

There are some Shell beads in this square which are knitted in using the slip-stitch method. This means that they need to be threaded onto the Mushroom yarn before you cast on. Instructions for this are on page 5.

There is a choice with this square to knit contrast-coloured bobbles or self-coloured bobbles. The chart shows the contrast-coloured bobbles, so if you opt for the self-coloured ones you will need to omit the purl stitches in Camel on chart rows 2, 14, 30, 44 and 58, knitting these stitches in Mushroom. There is a new tech vid this month which shows you how to knit a contrast-coloured bobble, so if you need some guidance, there is help at the touch of a button using the link at the beginning of this blog.

The cable symbols are different to those in Square 43 and have been marked with an asterik to differentiate them from c8f and c8b. These cables are worked differently because they cross five stitches with three rather than four with four. So make sure that you work from the correct symbols for this square. These new cable abbreviations have been added to the Abbreviations on page 19, they are c8f* and c8b*.

One last thing about this square, block and press it with the RS facing – it will lay a lot flatter if you do this as the edge stitches are in reverse stocking stitch.

SQUARE 2, GENTLE WAVES (opt 1): soft gentle waves knitted using the fairisle technique are combined with textured stitches and hooked-in beads to create a soothing pattern in shades of blue and stone.

Videos to watch for assistance with this square:

• How to knit fairisle (NEW THIS MONTH!).
• Hooked-in beads (NEW THIS MONTH!).
• Square 2, Gentle Waves (textured slip-stitch pattern): (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).

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 as this is the first square in the blanket that has an option.

There is no pre-threading of beads required for this square as the beads are hooked-in. You can see them on the charts on page 9. I decided to draw the charts using a blank background for Maritime as this made it much easier to see the beads and the fairisle waves in Alabaster. However, it is difficult to see the beads clearly in the image on page 8, so make sure you follow the charts carefully.

The  instructions are partially written and partially worked from charts. 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.

There are only four rows of fairisle in each of the charts, so if this technique is new to you, this is a great opportunity to give it a go. When you knit this fairisle pattern you will be combining the techniques of stranding with weaving-in. There is a new tech vid this month which shows you the basics of knitting fairisle and includes both of these techniques, so take a look at it if you need some assistance.

There is also a tech vid that shows you how to knit the textured slip-stitch pattern on rows 17-18. It involves knitting the first row in basic fairisle – alternate stitches in the two colours – followed by a row where the Silvery Blue stitches are slipped and the Indigo stitches are knitted. It’s a really fun and effective stitch to knit, and I hope you enjoy it!

SQUARE 2, GENTLE WAVES (opt 2): soft gentle waves are embroidered onto the knitting and combined with textured stitches and hooked-in beads to create a soothing pattern in shades of blue and stone.

Videos to watch for assistance with this square:

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

There are two options for this square, and this is the easier one because it does not have fairisle in it. It does not matter which option you choose as this is the first square in the blanket that has an option.

The advice for this square is pretty similar to Option One. There is no pre-threading of beads required for this square as the beads are hooked-in. You can see them on the charts on page 9. I decided to draw the charts using a blank background for Maritime as this made it much easier to see the beads and the embroidered waves in Alabaster. However, it is difficult to see the beads clearly in the image on page 8, so make sure you follow the charts carefully.

You need to be aware that the top and bottom of this square has been cropped off in the image on page 10. And what you can’t see is that it begins and end with Pacific, which is that beautiful vibrant blue in your kit. This is different to the Option One square which begins and end with Maritime.

The  instructions are partially written and partially worked from charts. The sections which are embroidered 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.

There is a new tech vid this month that shows you how to knit the textured slip-stitch pattern on rows 17-18. It involves knitting the first row in basic fairisle – alternate stitches in the two colours – followed by a row where the Silvery Blue stitches are slipped and the Indigo stitches are knitted. It’s a really fun and effective stitch to knit, and I hope you enjoy it!

There is another new tech vid which shows how to add Chain stitch to your knitting. You are given a guide for the placement of the embroidered waves on the charts on page 11. It is best to complete the square before you do the embroidery, and block and press the square to make sure it is as even and flat as possible for you to work on.

SQUARE 3, SHELLS: this all-over textured and beaded pattern has hooked-in beads and is really interesting to knit once you get to grips with the pattern.

Videos to watch for assistance with this square:

• Square 3, Shells (textured beaded stitch) (NEW THIS MONTH!).
• Hooked-in beads (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 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 12, it’s 3.00mm. This is two metric sizes smaller than the recommended needle size for the project (which is 3.50mm).

Due to the stitch structure of the square it is heavy on the rows. But as long as you are matching tension it will knit up to the same size as the other squares in the blanket. You just need to make sure that the yarns are carried up the side of the work firmly and neatly to avoid puckered edges.

My best advice for this square is to watch the new tech vid for it in which I demonstrate how to knit the trickier rows. It is definitely worth a look to make sure you are knitting it correctly. Like any repeat pattern, once you get the hang of the pattern it is easy, even if it looks complicated to you in the image on page 12. It is a 12-row pattern repeat worked 7 times in total, so after the first repeat I think you’ll be absolutely fine. Just make sure you follow the instructions very carefully, and watch my tech vid if you get stuck.

SQUARE 15, SHALLOW POOLS: this is the simplest square to knit this month, with multi-coloured hooked-in beads on a background of one-colour stocking stitch.

Videos to watch for assistance with this square:

• Hooked-in beads (NEW THIS MONTH!).
• 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.

The pattern itself is easy to knit, but you will need to pay extra attention to the different coloured beads as these are hooked in on a continuous rotation throughout the whole square. On page 15 there is a sequence for the beads to follow, it is: 1 Grey, 1 Clear, 1 Blue, 1 White. It is really important that you follow this sequence to get the beads in the right order. I found it easier to pre-thread all the beads onto a piece of spare yarn, and then I did not need to think about which colour to pick up and hook-in, they were all lined up and ready to go. There are various other ways of prepping your beads for this square – some of you, for example, might have a beading board (which is used for jewellery making). Or if you use floss to hook in the beads, you can pre-thread them onto the floss (this is actually what I did and it was a godsend!).

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!

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 MYSTERY CLUB MEETINGS AT ‘YARN LOFT’ IN NOTTINGHAM HAVE STARTED AGAIN! So if you live in close proximity to this wonderful knitting shop, (like I do!), come and join us for a couple of hours of lively banter on the first Wednesday of each month.

Our first meeting of the year was on the 12^th of February and I was joined by Vanessa Briscoe, Alison Riddell, Claire Goode and Mary Leeson, and we were looked after by the lovely Doreen who provided us with hot drinks and chocolate eclairs.

We had a lovely time chatting about the squares, sharing advice and techniques, and having a good browse of Doreen’s wonderful shop too – there are so many tempting things to buy!

Alison and Mary brought along their Superstar Cushions to show the group. Alison had knitted it in a different colour to the original version. I think that the Sublime pink looks fabulous with all those multi-coloured beads! You can see a glimpse of Mary's Superstar Cushion in the bottom right-hand corner.

Here is a pic from a meeting we had in December (see below) when we had a final gathering for the year, to which some of the ladies brought along their completed 2024 Mystery Blankets to. Don’t they look amazing!!! I always love to see the Mystery Blankets completed, they are such a huge achievement which everyone should be so very proud of.

Our next meeting at Yarn Loft will be on Wednesday 5^th March. 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.

I hope you will be able to join me!

AND FINALLY, I AM THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE THE WINNER OF THE SECOND 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 TWO (MARCH): this month’s winner is member 276, Christine Worrall from Grange-over-Sands in Lancashire, UK. Well done Christine! 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 Christine to let her know the good news!

So now it’s time to grab your knitting needles and make a start on this month’s squares. And if the lovely sunny weather that some of us are being treated to this week in the UK continues, then you might even be able to get out in the garden to knit – wouldn’t that be fabulous! Don’t forget to watch out for all our new exciting products we are launching this month, including the 2025 Mystery Cushion Club which is on sale now, and our Mother’s Day Mystery Knit Boxes - I think you all deserve a treat for getting on so well with your squares, and what better way than to treat yourself to a Debbie project! Have fun everyone, keep busy and remember that we are always here to help you if you get stuck or have a query about your Mystery Blanket squares, so keep in touch! Happy knitting, Debbie x

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