Mystery Blanket Club 2025, post 8, September
Debbie AbrahamsHELLO & WELCOME TO THE EIGHTH INSTALMENT OF THE 2025 MYSTERY BLANKET CLUB! First of all apologies for the delayed launch of this blog, but after having to say a heartbroken goodbye to our beloved Lemmy at the beginning of August, we decided we needed a break away from home and got a last minute holiday to Ibiza (the quiet side of the island) where we enjoyed a week of baking hot sunshine, pool, beach and for me plenty of knitting. It was just the break we all needed, and we’ve come home feeling rejuvenated and ready for the start of the Autumn season.
September is always my busiest time of the year, beginning with the launch of my biggest and most favourite project of all, the Mystery Blanket Club (2026) – have you signed up yet?!? Plus there are plenty of new kits in the pipeline for the website shop, projects for knitting workshops to design and sample up, and in a few days time Sue and I will start our annual shop for our exclusive Mystery Festive Knit Boxes. I’m also tutoring my first-for-many-years Stitchtopia knitting holiday to County Kerry in October, where I will be joined by a group of thirteen knitters, some of whom are Mystery Blanket Club members – I can’t wait to see you!
Above: County Kerry, Ireland.
As we enter the eighth month of this year’s Mystery Blanket another six squares are revealed, with just a handful of squares after this to complete before the final finishing touches. The Piecing Diagrams on page 4 of your September mail-out show just how far we are through the project. And if you’ve managed to keep up each month, very soon you will have your very own Mystery Blanket to snuggle up underneath this Winter.
In this blog there are lots of tips and advice for the September squares, some lovely member stories, and an addition to the mail-out of Charts for Stitch & Row Reference (on page 5) which will assist you with sewing the vertical strips of squares together – you’ll able to sew together two strips after completing this month’s squares.
In case you need guidance with a knitting technique, this is a list of all the tech vids we have available in our Tutorials:
· How to pick up stitches to knit the next square (Tutorials: Knitting Basics)
· Mattress stitch (horizontal) (Tutorials: Knitting Basics)
· Mattress stitch (vertical) (Tutorials: Knitting Basics)
· How to carry yarns up the side of the work (Tutorials: Knitting Basics)
· How to thread beads onto yarn (Tutorials: Beading Techniques)
· Slip-stitch beading (Tutorials: Beading Techniques)
· Hooked-in beads (Tutorials: Beading Techniques)
· How to cable (Tutorials: Fancy Stitches)
· Understanding lace stitches (Tutorials: Fancy Stitches)
· How to knit contrast-coloured bobbles (Tutorials: Fancy Stitches)
· How to knit fairisle (Tutorials: Colour Knitting Techniques)
· How to knit Intarsia (Tutorials: Colour Knitting Techniques)
· How to add Swiss-darning to your knitting (Tutorials: Embroidery on Knitting)
· Chain stitch (Tutorials: Embroidery On Knitting)
· Square 2, Gentle Waves (Tutorials: Mystery Blanket 2025)
· Square 3, Shells (Tutorials: Mystery Blanket 2025)
· Square 16, Sandy Squiggles (Tutorials: Mystery Blanket 2025)
· Square 17, Fishbones (Tutorials: Mystery Blanket 2025)
· Square 37, Barnacles (Tutorials: Mystery Blanket 2025)
· Square 39, Salt Water (Tutorials: Mystery Blanket 2025)
THE SEPTEMBER PRINTED PATTERNS HAVE BEEN POSTED TO THE MEMBERS WHO OPTED FOR THEM. However, as mentioned in our September pattern launch email (which you should have received from us on 1st September), they were posted when we returned from Ibiza which means they might be delivered to you a little later than usual. Apologies for this but the printing company we use were also on annual leave in August, so we had no option but to post them when we were all back working again. Nevertheless, they have all been posted now and fingers crossed will be with you very soon.
If you want to take a look at the file before your printed patterns arrive then the digital file is available to download from your Debbie Abrahams account on our website.
I NEED TO LET YOU ABOUT A CORRECTION TO THE PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS FOR SQUARE 10, STARFISH STRIPE, OPTION TWO. The picking up instructions should read as follows:
If picking up stitches, pick up and knit 45 stitches along the cast-off edge of Square 9 using Linen as follows: pick up 22 stitches, pick up 1 extra stitch, pick up 22 stitches.
Apologies for any confusion this may have caused you. It has been added to the list of Addendums on our website for the 2025 Mystery Blanket Club.
I AM THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE THAT SIGN-UPS FOR MY BRAND NEW 2026 MYSTERY BLANKET CLUB HAVE LAUNCHED! So if you fancy another knitting KAL with me next year, be sure to get yourself signed up as soon as possible. We have a super EARLY BIRD SPECIAL OFFER with benefits and discounts for everyone who signs up before 30th September!
Above: Mystery Blanket 2014, Back To The Country.
The first 250 members to sign up to our package with knitting kit will receive an exclusive Debbie Abrahams 30th Anniversary pen. This is to commemorate thirty years of Debbie Abrahams Ltd, working alongside my favourite yarn company Rowan. So it’s a huge milestone, and what better way to celebrate it than with a unique pen – you know how much I love stationery!!!
PLUS THESE OTHER EARLY BIRD BENEFITS…
Knitting kit option members:
· 5% off the cost of the membership with knitting kit (already applied to the product in the shop).
· An exclusive kit for a Balearic Glasses Case, including all the materials to make the project (yarn, beads, lining fabric, magnetic closure). Included with your second parcel in May.
Below: Free Early Bird knitting kit, Balearic Glasses Case.
All members:
· 10% off the purchase of any of Debbie’s knitting kits in her online shop until 30th November 2026*.
· Digital pattern for a Balearic Glasses Case.
· Entry into our Prize Draw with ten gifts up for grabs!
1st Prize: 2025 Mystery Blanket Club membership (for the package you’ve purchased, we will refund what you have paid in full)
2nd Prize: A Festive Mystery Knit Box (with a value of over £80)
3rd Prize: A Mother’s Day Box (with a value of over £60)
4th Prize: Set of 10 printed patterns for the 2026 Mystery Blanket Club
5th & 6th Prizes: Knitting kit from a selection in our online shop (up to the value of £50)
7th & 8th Prizes: Four packs of beads (colour/s of your own choice, size 8 or size 6)
9th & 10th Prizes: set of three Winter Wonderland ready-made socks
*excludes Mystery products, and cannot be used in conjunction with any other special offers or discounts.
Winners of the Prize Draw will be notified by email on the 1st October.
Below: Mystery Blanket 2015, Perugian Perspectives.
In case you didn’t catch up with my August blog, here are a few reminders about what I have in store for the 2026 Mystery Blanket…
For each new blanket I focus on a totally different theme, and try and make it as different as I can to the previous year’s design, which not only gives you a refreshing new project to work on, but for me it’s great to have a drastic change of direction too! So you can probably guess that next year’s colours are far from quiet and peaceful, like this year’s blanket. The 2026 colour palette is vibrant and super colourful, with vibrant pinks, teal, sunshine yellow, emerald green and rich red contrasted against brilliant white and deep indigo blue. There’ll be lots of interesting stitch patterns, some beautiful cables, stripes, beads, fairisle and intarsia, so it’s a knitting journey you won’t want to miss out on if colour is your thing!
I am super excited to be back working again with James Laxton and his wonderful team in West Yorkshire in the UK, who have sent me the lab dips this week for eleven exciting new colours in my exclusive Light Merino Wool (see images above and below). I am combining my own-branded yarn with some of my favourites from the Rowan collection – Felted Tweed, Soft Yak and Pure Alpaca. So you’re in for a real treat next year, with a selection of some of the most luxurious yarns combined together in one unique blanket project!
If you want to pay for your Mystery Blanket Club membership in instalments then opt for our Splitit payment plan. You can choose from between 2-4 monthly payments to suit your finances, and can still take advantage of our Early Bird Special Offer.
To find out more and to place your order, visit the online shop on our website: https://debbieabrahams.com/products/mystery-blanket-club-2026
I can’t wait for the next exciting journey to begin – see you next year!
THE 2025 MYSTERY CUSHION CLUB IS ALMOST COMING TO AN END, AND WILL BE THE FINAL CLUB IN THAT COLLECTION. However, in the new year I will be launching a brand new Mystery Club, with more details to follow soon. I plan to open sign-ups in March and it will begin in May and run for a year. So if you are curious and want to know more, keep an eye on your inbox for all our latest news and be the first to know about my exciting brand new project!
AS THERE IS ONLY ONE LETTER LEFT TO ADD TO THE LETTER PUZZLE, I AM NOT GOING TO GIVE AWAY ANY MORE LETTERS. Looking at the puzzle below, I think it is very obvious what the title is. But if you have not sent in your guess, then there is still time…
T H _ / S _ A S H O R _
The final reveal is coming in a couple of months time, so make sure you tune into my November blog to find out all about the inspiration for this year’s design!
THERE ARE SIX SQUARES TO KNIT THIS MONTH:
Square 10, Option One, Starfish – starfish motif with slip-stitch beads and chain stitch embroidery:
Square 10, Option Two, Starfish Stripe – garter stitch alternated with stocking stitch stripes:
Square 11, Saltwater 2 – ribbed cable pattern in a three-colour stripe (same for both options):
Square 19, Pebbles – hooked-in beads on stocking stitch (same for both options):
Square 20, Sandy Squiggles 2 – moss stitch and textured stripe stitch (same for both options):
Square 21, Estuary 2 – slip-stitch pattern with hooked-in beads {same for both options):
Square 42, Porous 2 – reverse stocking stitch stripe (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.
In this instalment there are a few repeats or variations of squares you have knitted before, however, there is one brand new square to knit too…
SQUARE 40, STARFISH (Option One): a starfish motif with beaded and embroidered details has been washed up on the shore for you to knit!
Videos to watch for assistance with this square:
· How to pick up stitches to knit the next square (Tutorials: Knitting Basics)
· Mattress stitch (horizontal) (Tutorials: Knitting Basics)
· How to knit intarsia (find it in Tutorials)
· How to thread beads onto yarn (Tutorials: Beading Techniques)
· How to bead, the slip-stitch method (find it in Tutorials)
· How to knit contrast-coloured bobbles (Tutorials: Fancy Stitches)
· Chain stitch (Tutorials: Embroidery On Knitting)
There are two options for this square, and your choice will depend on which option you chose for Square 40. I would advise that you choose the same option as Square 40 to keep the design balanced.
If you’ve already knitted Option One for squares 22, 38 and 40, this should seem relatively easy as the shape of the starfish is less complex than those other intarsia motifs. Take a good look at the chart on page 7 before you start knitting and prep your yarns and bead threading so you are all ready to go before casting on. I talk about using yarn bobbins, but you may opt for small balls of yarn instead, which is perfectly fine if that works better for you.
I am not sure whether you should refer to a starfish as having arms or legs, so I’m opting for arms (apologies to any marine enthusiasts if I’ve got this wrong!). I used a total of three bobbins of Linen and two of Scree to knit this square. I avoided a fourth bobbin of Scree on chart row 38 by carrying the yarn used on the left arm of the starfish across the back of the four Linen stitches between the left and centre arms. I then used this same bobbin to knit the centre and left arms on chart row 39, cut it off and then rejoined it to complete the centre arm on chart row 40.
The bead threading is a little tricky for this square and depends on which bobbin of Scree you are using for each section of the starfish. So my advice would be to thread extra White beads onto all your bobbins and then any surplus can be removed after the square is completed. It would be better to do this than run out.
Watch out for the single contrast-coloured bobble on Chart row 31. On the row before this you will see a single stitch of Silt which will be worked into on the next row for the bobble. You will find an explanation of how to make a bobble in our Tutorials.
I embroidered the four little areas of Silt onto the knitting using Swiss darning after the square had been completed as I found this much easier to do. I didn’t include this on the chart, so I will leave that decision up to you. I know that some of you are not great fans of Swiss darning and prefer to knit in these sorts of small details.
All of the embroidery should be added to the square after it has been blocked and pressed, so I would advise that you do this first before making a start on it. There are two main swirls and some small circles to embroider using Chain stitch. If you need a reminder of this technique, there is a tech vid for it in the Tutorials section, so check this out if you need some guidance. I always say that the embroidery is completely optional, so you might opt out of adding it altogether. Alternatively, you may want to go freestyle with your embroidery and create your own swirls and shapes in your own selection of colours – the choice is up to you!
SQUARE 10, STARFISH STRIPE (Option Two): this is the alternative option to Starfish and is very similar to Square 40, but there’s a change to the colour sequence.
Videos to watch for assistance with this square:
- Picking up stitches to begin a new square: (Tutorials: Knitting Basics)
- Mattress stitch, horizontal: (Tutorials: Knitting Basics)
· How to carry yarns up the side of the work (Tutorials: Knitting Basics)
My advice for this square is the same as for Option One - your choice will depend on which option you chose for Square 40. Just make sure that you choose the same option to ensure balance and symmetry within the overall design.
You will recognise this from last month’s instalment, but beware, as it is subtlety different. The stitch pattern is the same – garter stitch stripes with alternate stocking stitch stripes – but the colour sequence has been reversed. So for the stocking stitch stripes you begin with the darker shades and graduate up to the paler shades.
Just a reminder that there are two needle sizes needed for this square which are listed in the boxed info on page 8 - they are 2.50mm and 3.25mm. These are different to the suggested main needle size for the blanket of 3.50mm, so if you are using different size needles to this, you will need to downsize them accordingly (see the Patterns notes and tips on page 8). Garter stitch has a looser stitch and denser row tension than stocking stitch, so if you stay on the larger size needles, your garter stitch stripes will be too wide and too loose. So don’t forget to make those changes when instructed.
I advise to carry Mushroom and Linen up the side of the work. But all of the other yarns in this square have to be cut off as they are only used once.
SQUARE 11, SALT WATER 2: this square will also look familiar, but like Square 10 Option Two, it has a subtle difference. Can you spot what it is?!?
Videos to watch for assistance with this square:
- Picking up stitches to begin a new square (Tutorials: Knitting Basics)
- Mattress stitch, horizontal (Tutorials: Knitting Basics)
- Square 38, Salt Water (Tutorials: Mystery Blanket 2025)
- How to carry yarns up the side of the work (Tutorials: Knitting Basics)
Okay, so ‘mystery’ over! And I will tell you what the difference is…the cables twist in the opposite direction – to the right instead of to the left – and this is achieved by holding the cable needle at the back of the work instead of at the front. Everything else in this square is the same as Square 39 – the sequence of colours and the ribbed cable are identical.
There is a tech vid for Square 39 if you need some guidance for this cable pattern. However, remember that you are holding the needle at the back, and not at the front of the work as in the vid. So use this as reference only for how to knit the ribbed cable and don’t forget that it’s cable needle held at the back and NOT at the front, otherwise your cables will twist the wrong way!
The needle size used for this square is two sizes smaller than the main recommended size, and you can see it in the boxed information on the far left-hand side of page 10, it’s 3.00mm.
As with Square 39, you can choose to knit this cable pattern from either worded instructions or from a chart. The worded instructions are on pages 10-11, and the chart is overleaf on page 12 along with the casting off instructions for both worded and chart.
SQUARE 19, PEBBLES: this is another familiar square, and this time it is identical to a previous square you’ve knitted in an earlier instalment.
Videos to watch for assistance with this square:
- Picking up stitches to begin a new square (Tutorials: Knitting Basics)
- Mattress stitch, horizontal (Tutorials: Knitting Basics)
- Hooked-in beads (Tutorials: Beading Techni000iues)
As this is a direct repeat of a previous square (Square 31), I will keep my advice to a minimum. The main things to remember are that a smaller needle than the main suggested needle size is used to knit this square, so that’s a change of one metric size down to 3.25mm.
The bead sequence is on a continuous rotation throughout the whole square, and this did cause a bit of confusion with Square 31. So I will just elaborate on what you need to do to avoid any further confusion! I know that some of the members restarted the bead sequence at the beginning of each new bead row, however, this is not what is intended. The bead sequence is a continuous one, regardless of what row you are on. There is a pattern note and tip about this on page 14 which says:
There is a repeat sequence for hooking in the beads: Pebble, Grey, Shell, White, Black and Clear. Whichever colour bead is used at the end of a beaded row, the next colour in the sequence is used to start the next beaded row.
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. This made the hooking in for me a lot quicker and it also ensured that I had the beads in the correct sequence. You just need to make sure that you thread them on in reverse order (Clear, Black, White, Shell, Grey, Pebble) as the first bead you use will be the last one you thread on.
SQUARE 20, SANDY SQUIGGLES 2: this is the second Sandy Squiggles 2 square, and it balances the design out nicely with Square 30 being identical to this one.
Videos to watch for assistance with this square:
- 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)
- Square 16, Sandy Squiggles (find it in Tutorials)
This is a variation of Sandy Squiggles (Square 16) and has a three-colour moss stitch stripe rotation of Alabaster, Mushroom and Linen instead of plain Camel. This will give you extra ends in comparison to Square 16, but some of these could be knitted in to save darning them all in at the end.
Here are a few reminders and tips about how to knit this square…
Both 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 16 (2.50mm and 3.25mm). These changes are necessary to keep the width of the square uniform as you swap from stocking stitch to moss stitch.
If you are struggling to remember how to knit the textured purl stitch on rows 10-11 and their subsequent repeats, then there is a tech vid for Square 16, Sandy Squiggles which would be advisable to watch. The most important thing about these two rows is to keep the yarn held on the correct side of the work as instructed in the pattern, as you work the wrong-side row followed by the right-side row, otherwise your square will end up looking very different!
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.
SQUARE 21, ESTUARY 2: this pretty slip-stitch pattern with hooked-in beads is similar to Square 29, but Maritime and Pacific have been swapped round to give it a subtle difference.
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)
This is another variation of a previous square you’ve already knitted, but the swapping over of the two colours makes it slightly brighter in hue to Square 29. You may have noticed that in this blanket there are a few variations of previous squares, and I think this contributes to the overall ‘natural’ feel and look of the design. I’m always excited to see what happens when small changes like this are made, and I think it enriches the overall design more than knitting a straight repeat – I hope you agree!
Just a few reminders then about how to knit this square and what to watch out for…
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 18, it’s 3.25mm. This is one metric size smaller than the recommended main needle size for the project (which is 3.50mm).
If you need guidance for the fancy stitch on 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’.
There is no need to cut off either of the two yarns used in this square – Maritime and Pacific – once they are joined in, 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 42, POROUS 2: the sixth and final square this month to knit is a variation of Square 8 which you knitted way back in May. This time there has been a colour swap to give it a slightly different look.
Videos to watch for assistance with this square:
- How to carry yarns up the side of the work (find it in Tutorials)
So it’s a trip down memory lane for the final square in the September Mail Out in an easy-to-knit reverse stocking stitch stripe with slipped stitches. The only difference between this square and Square 8 is that Seashell and Linen have been swapped.
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 20 (3.25mm).
In this square, what is usually the wrong side of the work (the purl side) is the right side of the work, and it’s the reverse stocking stitch stripes that help the three colours blend one into another at the colour changes. Just remember to slip all of the stitches purlwise when instructed (sl1p), otherwise these stitches will be twisted.
And that’s it! A lot of squares to knit this month, which leaves just nine more to go, so nearly there!!!
WITH TWO STRIPS COMPLETED AFTER THIS INSTALMENT, YOU COULD GET AHEAD AND SEW THEM TOGETHER. If you decide to make a start on this, these useful tips will guide you through the process.
If you have knitted your squares separately then you will need to join these together first to create strips 6 and 7 (these are the two vertical rows of squares on the right-hand side of the Piecing diagram on page 4 (Squares 36-42 and 43-49). If you need some guidance with this, check out the tech vid in Tutorials for Horizontal mattress stitch which demonstrates this technique.
Once you have your two strips completed you can make a start. This is a guide to how to sew the squares together using Mattress stitch. It is important to note that these are my suggestions as to how to sew together the squares, but please feel free to use your own method if preferred.
In this blanket all of the squares are facing in the same direction which makes it much easier to sew them together. All you need to watch out for is the number of rows, which vary from square to square. This means that some easing-in will be required.
These instructions are based on taking the needle under two ‘bars’ at a time as demonstrated in the tech vid for Vertical mattress stitch. To ease in a row, you will need to take your needle under one less bar on the side you are easing the extra row into.
Before you make a start, these are some extra tips on easing-in rows:
· garter stitch has a tighter row tension than stocking stitch, so for every row of garter stitch (which is two knit rows), ease these two rows into one stocking stitch row.
· slip-stitch beads (and slip-stitch patterns too) have a tighter row tension than stocking stitch, so if you need to ease in some rows it is best to do this across beaded rows, taking the needle under more of the beaded rows than the stocking stitch rows.
· fairisle usually has a looser row tension than stocking stitch, so if you need to ease in some rows it is best to do this across fairisle rows, taking the needle under more of the stocking stitch rows than the fairisle rows.
· for a square that has an all-over pattern, such as Square 47 Shells 2, any easings need to be spread out evenly across the total number of rows (and not eased-in all at one end or unevenly).
When there are two options for a square, I have given separate instructions for each option, so make sure that you check which one you need to follow for your choice of squares. If you have mixed your options then you might have to work out some of the easings yourself, but the Stitch and Row Reference grids on page 5 will help you with this.
If you want to see a demo of Vertical mattress stitch then you will find a tech vid for this in our Tutorials.
These are my guidelines for sewing strips 6 and 7 together but they do not have to be followed if you prefer to use your own method and calculations.
SEW STRIP 6 (squares 36-42) TO STRIP 7 (squares 43-49)
Sew Square 36 (88 rows) to Square 43 (64 rows): you need to ease 24 rows of Square 36 into Square 43.
Along the edge of Square 36 place a marker between Rows 44 and 45.
Along the edge of Square 43 place a marker between Rows 32 and 33.
Ease in 24 rows as evenly as you can across the whole length of the squares, making sure that the marker on Square 36 is matched to the marker on Square 43
Sew Square 37 (67 rows) to Square 44 (61 rows): you need to ease 6 rows of Square 37 into Square 44.
Along the edge of Square 37 place a marker on Row 34.
Along the edge of Square 44 place a marker on Row 31.
Ease in 6 rows as evenly as you can across the whole length of the squares, making sure that the marker on Square 37 is matched to the marker on Square 44.
Sew Square 38 (Option One) (59 rows) to Square 45 (56 rows): you need to ease 3 rows of Square 38 into Square 45.
Along the edge of Square 38 place a marker on Row 30.
Along the edge of Square 45 place a marker between Rows 28 and 29.
Ease in 3 rows as evenly as you can across the whole length of the squares, making sure that the marker on Square 38 (Option One) is matched to the marker on Square 45.
Sew Square 38 (Option Two) (66 rows) to Square 45 (56 rows): you need to ease 10 rows of Square 38 into Square 45.
Along the edge of Square 38 (Option Two) place a marker between Rows 33 and 34.
Along the edge of Square 45 place a marker between Rows 28 and 29.
Ease in 10 rows as evenly as you can across the whole length of the squares, making sure that the marker on Square 38 (Option Two) is matched to the marker on Square 45.
Sew Square 39 (65 rows) to Square 46 (62 rows): you need to ease 3 rows of Square 39 into Square 46.
Along the edge of Square 39 (Option One) place a marker on Row 33.
Along the edge of Square 46 place a marker between Rows 31 and 32.
Ease in 3 rows as evenly as you can across the whole length of the squares, making sure that the marker on Square 39 is matched to the marker on Square 46.
Sew Square 40 (Option One) (60 rows) to Square 47 (85 rows): you need to ease 25 rows of Square 47 into Square 40 (Option One).
Along the edge of Square 40 (Option One) place a marker between Rows 30 and 31.
Along the edge of Square 47 place a marker on Row 43.
Ease in 25 rows as evenly as you can across the whole length of the squares, making sure that the marker on Square 40 (Option One) is matched to the marker on Square 47.
Sew Square 40 (Option Two) (86 rows) to Square 47 (85 rows): you need to ease 1 row of Square 40 (Option Two) into Square 47.
Along the edge of Square 40 (Option Two) place a marker between Rows 43 and 44.
Along the edge of Square 47 place a marker on Row 43.
Ease in 1 row where the markers meet on Square 40 (Option Two) and Square 47.
Sew Square 41 (79 rows) to Square 48 (61 rows): you need to ease 18 rows of Square 41 into Square 48.
Along the edge of Square 41 place a marker on Row 40.
Along the edge of Square 48 place a marker on Row 31.
Ease in 18 rows as evenly as you can across the whole length of the squares, making sure that the marker on Square 41 is matched to the marker on Square 48.
Sew Square 42 (62 rows) to Square 49 (62 rows): there are the same amount of rows in both of these squares, so no easing in of stitches is required.
I’VE HAD TWO LOVELY EMAILS FROM MEMBERS WHO HAVE NEWS OF RECENT ACHIEVEMENTS AND SUCCESSES! First is Annie March from Carlisle in the UK. Annie was absolutely thrilled to win first prize in her local village show with her ‘It’s Written In The Stars’ 2024 Mystery Blanket!
This is what she (very excitedly!) had to say about it:
“I thought you might like to know about my local village show. I was absolutely thrilled to get 1st place for my blanket, but even better, it was awarded most outstanding entry in show which is entirely credited to you. The knitting was average at best, the ‘outstanding’ was entirely due to your designing abilities. So well done to you!
When Sheelagh (my sister) first bought me a cushion subscription, I nearly sold it on as I thought it was well beyond my capabilities. However, with your patience, excellent instructions and fantastic videos, I am now well and truly hooked! Thank you so much!”
This is absolutely fantastic news, and so very well deserved. And what is so rewarding for me is to hear just how much Annie has learnt from knitting my Mystery projects. It is truly wonderful to see how you’ve progressed Annie. And one slight correction, your knitting is not average – it’s outstanding! Well done to you!!!
ARLETTE LAUFFER FROM LONDON, UK, HAS ALSO BEEN IN TOUCH TO SHARE WITH US THE GREAT NEWS THAT SHE HAS ALSO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED HER ‘IT’S WRITTEN IN THE STARS’ MYSTERY BLANKET! Arlette hasn’t won a prize for her blanket (yet!), but it is truly worthy of one. It’s great to see it completed and thanks for sharing this with us!
OUR NEXT MYSTERY CLUB MEETING AT YARN LOFT IN NOTTINGHAM IS ON WEDNESDAY 3rd SEPTEMBER. However, it's too late if you’re reading this now, so apologies for that! However, I will report back next month about how the meeting went.
Above, left to right: Mary, Kerry and Catherine enjoying their Mystery Blanket knitting (and the cakes and biscuits!).
If you want to join us at the next meeting on Wednesday 1st October then feel free to bring along your mystery Debbie knits, both old and new, cushion and blanket are all welcome! 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.
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
AND FINALLY, IT’S TIME TO ANNOUNCE THE WINNER OF THE EIGHTH 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 EIGHT (SEPTEMBER): this month’s winner is member 199, Elaine Major from Leighton Buzzard, UK. Well done Elaine! 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 the 2026 Debbie Abrahams Mystery Blanket membership
- A Mystery bag of five gifts!
We will notify Elaine to let her know the good news!
With Autumn now well underway I am super excited about the season ahead and the promise of great new things to come! Apart from the launch of the 2026 Mystery Blanket Club, it’s also a time for new projects to be designed and forthcoming knitting events and holidays to be penned firmly into the diary for next year. It’s one of my most favourite of the four seasons, with the colours of the landscape beginning to change as Summer ends and Autumn begins. I hope that you are feeling as positive as me, and with six more squares to knit this month and the end of this year’s blanket now in sight, hopefully you are continuing to feel motivated and inspired! I’ll be back here next month with more tips, advice and general Debbie news. So if you’re interested, please pop back to see me here and we’ll have another catch-up! Until then, take care and keep healthy, busy and happy, Debbie x
