HELLO & WELCOME TO THE PENULTIMATE INSTALMENT OF THE 2024 MYSTERY BLANKET CLUB! Can you believe that after this month we are just one instalment away from completing this year’s KAL, which means that very soon you will have your very own Mystery Blanket to snuggle up under! With the summer coming to an end here in the UK and the night’s beginning to draw in, it’s the perfect time for cosying up on your favourite comfy chair and immersing yourself in all things yarny.
I've managed to soak up a last bit of summer sunshine in France where I have just come back from a wonderful week away with my two sisters to celebrate my older sister's 60th birthday! We booked her a surprise 'mystery' holiday to a holiday camp at Cote Sauvage near Royan that we used to go to every year with our family. We had a wonderful time, reliving all our memories from our past summer holidays there in the 1970's and 80's. Here we are in front of the lighthouse - Phare de la Coubre - in 1976 and 2024!
Below, far left: from left to right, Jenny, me and Julia in 1976...
Above, far right: left to right, Jenny, me and Julia in 2024!
Since I've come back it's been all systems go! At the moment I am busy working on the project for my forthcoming Inspired Minds workshop at Lochside in Scotland, where I will be seeing some of you very soon for five days of fun and a ton of knitting in one of my favourite venues. So I had better crack on with the Mystery club news and advice I have this month for you before I return to my knitting needles…
Above: a sneek preview of the Lochside project in progress...
I will record a final intro next month when I reveal the title of the Mystery Blanket and talk you through my design process and inspiration for the project. So this month it’s a read-only blog, but there are plenty of tech vids from previous blogs to dip into if you need some guidance.
This is the list of tech vids that you can access from previous blogs:
- How to knit star stitch (June blog)
- How to cast on using several colours (April blog)
- Square 22, Lunar (Option One), how to cross over the yarns (April blog)
- Square 1, Capricorn (Option Two) (March blog)
- How to knit intarsia (March blog)
- How to cable (March blog)
- Square 8, Tranquility: Japanese short-row shaping (February blog)
- How to carry yarns up the side of the work (February blog)
- How to add Swiss darning to your knitting (February blog)
- How to thread beads onto your yarn (February blog
- How to bead, the slip-stitch method (February blog)
- How to bead, the hooking-in method (February blog)
- How to knit fairisle (February blog)
- Picking up stitches to begin a new square (February blog)
- Mattress stitch (horizontal) (February blog)
THE OCTOBER FILE (MAIL OUT 9) IS NOW IN YOUR DEBBIE ABRAHAMS ACCOUNT, and you should find a message as well from us about it in your inbox with a link to this blog. If you’ve had a recent change of email address, don’t forget to let us know so that we can update your records: sue@debbieabrahams.com
THE OCTOBER PATTERNS ARE ON THEIR WAY TO THE MEMBERS WHO PAID FOR THAT OPTION. I took care of posting them this month, so the overseas were sent on the 25th September, and the UK on the 27th. Apologies that the overseas were posted a little later than usual, but if you want to get started or browse through the patterns, then you have the digital file in your account.
I HAVE JUST NOTICED A SMALL ERROR ON THE CHARTS FOR STITCH AND ROW REFERENCE ON PAGE 5 OF YOUR OCTOBER MAIL-OUT. On the Option Two grid, Square 49 should say 60 rows (and not 59 rows).
SOME MEMBERS HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH TO SAY THAT THEY HAVE RUN OUT OF IRIS YARN. After the October instalment it is not used again, so you will need approximately 8gm to complete Square 21.
If you do run short of it then if you joined either the 2021 Mystery Blanket Club (One Thousand & One Nights) or the 2022 Mystery Cushion Club (Pure Nouveau), Iris was used in both of these projects. So it would be worth checking your stash to see if you have any left over. And if you don't, then please get in touch and we will send you some more.
Iris yarn was tight on quantity for Option One squares, but there was plenty left over for Option Two squares. If you mixed your options then I am not sure how much you will have left over. But if you have any concerns, please contact us and we will advise you.
WE ARE ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTED THAT THREE-QUARTERS OF THE 2025 MYSTERY BLANKET CLUB MEMBERSHIPS HAVE SOLD, and I would like to thank everyone who has decided to join me on next year’s brand new knitting adventure.
Our Early Bird offer has now expired, however, you have until the 31st December (or to when it sells out) to sign up if you haven’t done so yet. And although you won’t be able to take advantage of all the Early Bird benefits, you will get a 10% discount voucher to use in our online shop when you purchase your membership.
Below: MBC19, Winter Wonderland.
Winners of the Early Bird Prize Draw will be published in a separate blog, so keep your eyes on your inbox and we will tell you as soon as it goes live!
If you are sitting on the fence and unable to decide whether or not to commit to another Mystery Blanket next year, then here are a few reminders of what I have in store for you…
So what’s in store for 2025?
Debbie is thrilled to be collaborating with Rowan Yarns for this project and has selected some of the most popular yarns in their premium collection for this blanket including Felted Tweed, Soft Yak and Summerlite DK. The colour palette is soft and soothing with a focus on shades of powder blue, silver grey, soft sand and white. It’s a gentle mix of colours, knitted up into forty-nine squares of fascinating stitch structures, cables, stripes, fairisle and intarsia, and there are plenty of beads in it too, giving the blanket an extra sparkle!
Above: a glimpse of some of the colours in the 2025 Mystery Blanket.
The full knitting kit with everything in it that you need to knit the whole blanket is delivered directly to your doorstep, making it a convenient and easy way to participate in the project. And with patterns for five to six squares emailed to you each month over a ten-month period, the Mystery Blanket provides you with enough knitting for a whole year!
There will be a choice of two options for the trickier squares (fairisle and intarsia), enabling both novice and experienced knitters to participate in this unique knitting experience.
Monthly tech vids in a dedicated blog give you all the help and support you need as you work your way through the forty-nine squares, enabling knitters of all abilities to take part. It’s a great way to learn new knitting skills!
The finished size of the blanket is approximately 135cm x 135cm.
Below: MBC16, A French Romance.
What does my membership include?
Each member receives ten sets of monthly emailed patterns and two parcels containing over thirty-five balls of premium quality yarn and embellishments to knit and assemble a blanket. The kit will be posted in two halves with the first one delivered in February, followed by the second one in May.
You can add to your membership ten sets of printed patterns for an additional cost.
Download pattern option
We are offering the option of ten sets of patterns as monthly downloads (no knitting kit) enabling you to use yarns and beads from your own stash to knit the blanket. The list of yarns and beads for the first part of the kit will be released a week before the project begins.
Choose to spread the cost of your payment
If you would prefer to pay in instalments, we have a payment system in place called Splitit which enables you to choose to make your payment between 2-4 months. Simply select this option at checkout when you make your first payment and then your remaining payments will be taken automatically from your account.
What happens after I’ve purchased my Mystery Blanket membership?
When you have completed your payment, you will be sent an automated email to confirm that your transaction has been processed successfully (please note that it says that your order is being processed to send to you, however, the first parcel will not be posted until mid-end January).
Before making your payment, please read the Terms and Conditions for the Mystery Blanket Club. You will find a link to these at the foot of the Home page. Please note that if you make your payment you are agreeing to these Terms and Conditions.
When your payment has been made you will sent a confirmation email confirming your package and your membership number. If you do not receive this within twenty-eight days, please contact us and we will re-send it to you: sue@debbieabrahams.com
Need to know a bit more?
You can read more about the Club and how it runs by visiting the FAQs page on our website.
SO NOW IT’S TIME FOR ANOTHER GUESS AT THE TITLE OF THE BLANKET! But with just one more letter needed to complete the puzzle below, I am going to hold back until next month when the title will be revealed in all its glory! We’ve had no more correct answers sent in – but that might be because you all know what it is now?!? Its virtually written out in full…
_ T ‘ S / W R _ T T E N / _ N / T H E / S T A R S
We’ve had a ton of correct guesses, but if you are still not sure what it is then have a really good think over the next four weeks, and if you get that lightbulb moment, please send in your guess to Sue at sue@debbieabrahams.com. And if you do get it right, with your permission we will include your name in the final blog. Good luck everyone!
THERE ARE FIVE SQUARES TO KNIT THIS MONTH:
Square 20, Celestial 4 – moss stitch stripes (same for both options):
Square 21, Sagittarius (Option One) – fairisle pattern with textured stripes and slip-stitch beads:
Square 21, Sagittarius (Option Two) – slip-stitch pattern with textured stripes and slip-stitch beads:
Square 41, Solar 2 – cable pattern with hooked-in beads (same for both options):
Square 41, Tranquillity 5 – multi-coloured wave pattern using Japanese short-row shaping with optional embroidered details (same for both options):
Square 49, Cancer (Option One) – intarsia zodiac motif:
Square 49, Cancer (Option Two) – textured stripe pattern with hooked-in beads:
On each pattern page there is a list of Pattern notes and tips that are worth reading before you start to knit each square. These bits of advice will help you and give pre-warnings as to what to look out for in the pattern instructions. Also take note of the description under the title of each square as this tells you what the stitch structure is.
You can use the tech vids from previous blogs to help you knit your squares. But here are a few extra tips to assist you:
SQUARE 20, CELESTIAL 4: this is similar to Square 34 which is a graduated moss stitch stripe, but in this version it begins with dark shades and ends with paler shades in a vibrant combination of pinks, purples and gold.
Videos to watch for assistance with this square:
- Picking up stitches to begin a new square (February blog)
- Mattress stitch (horizontal) (February blog)
- How to carry yarns up the side of the work (February blog)
You knitted the first version of this colourway last month, so it will probably still be very fresh in your mind. But I think it’s worth gently reminding you before you make a start on it that a smaller sized needle is used to knit it as the constant movement of the yarn backwards and forwards between the needles creates a looser tension than stocking stitch. If you found that the needle I recommended for all the other Celestial squares did not achieve the correct tension, then make sure that you use the same needles that you used for these squares.
SQUARE 21, SAGITTARIUS (Option One): this is the eighth and final square in the blanket that has fairisle zodiac symbols, and it’s knitted in the pink/purple colourway.
Videos to watch for assistance with this square:
- Picking up stitches to begin a new square (February blog)
- Mattress stitch (horizontal) (February blog)
- How to carry yarns up the side of the work (February blog)
- How to thread beads onto your yarn (February blog
- How to bead, the slip-stitch method (February blog)
- How to knit fairisle (February blog)
If you want to maintain balance in the overall design, then it is advisable to choose the same option that you knitted for squares 5, 47 and 35. And if you don’t then feel free to mix it up!
You will find the chart for this square on page 9 of your mail-out. We decided for many of the charts in this years’ blanket, including this one, to use white for the background so that you can see the motifs in Sapphire more easily. The background colour is actually Iris, as listed in the key next to the chart.
Don’t forget that there are changes to the needle sizes throughout the pattern instructions for the rows of garter stitch. If you want nice, neat horizontal stripes, then these needle size changes are essential to do.
SQUARE 21 SAGITTARIUS (Option Two): this is the easier alternative and uses the same colours as Option One. It is exactly the same as Squares 5, 35 and 47, Option Two.
Videos to watch for assistance with this square:
- Picking up stitches to begin a new square (February blog)
- Mattress stitch (horizontal) (February blog)
- How to carry yarns up the side of the work (February blog)
- How to thread beads onto your yarn (February blog
- How to bead, the slip-stitch method (February blog)
It is advisable to choose the same option that you knitted for squares 5, 35 and 47.
This is the last time you will knit this square, and it is the same as Squares 5, 35 and 47, so it should be a breeze. But if you need any guidance for the techniques, then there are several tech vids you can refer back to from previous blogs.
SQUARE 13, SOLAR 2: this is exactly the same as Square 13, which is a recolour of squares 9 and 37.
Videos to watch for assistance:
- Picking up stitches to begin a new square (February blog)
- Mattress stitch (horizontal) (February blog)
- How to cable (March blog)
- How to bead, the hooking-in method (February blog)
After knitting three other Solar squares, you should find this one pretty easy to knit. There is a lot going on in it with slipped stitches, cables, hooked-in beads and a lace stitch, but as the pattern is familiar to you, I am not anticipating that any of you will have a problem with it.
The pattern is written in two formats – worded and a chart – so use whichever one you find the easiest to work from. Maybe if you used the worded version for the other three Solar squares, give the chart a go this time instead. You will actually have to use some of the worded instructions (the ones in green) for specific rows of the chart (for example, 1, 5, 9 and 13). But as each numbered worded row relates to each numbered chart row, this should be straight forward to do – and you’ve done it three times before anyway!
SQUARE 42, TRANQUILLITY 5: this is very similar to Square 14 from last month’s mail-out, but there is a slight change to the colours.
Videos to watch for assistance with this square:
- Square 8, Tranquility: Japanese short-row shaping (February blog)
- How to carry yarns up the side of the work (February blog)
- How to add Swiss darning to your knitting (February blog)
In this square Hyacinth has been swapped out for Serenity, but all of the other colours you are knitting with are the same as Square 14. There is also a change to the colour of the embroidery – it is Purple rather than Pink. But remember that this is optional, so if you would rather leave it as it is, it is not necessary to add it to your completed square.
Is this the last Tranquillity you will knit in this blanket? You will have to wait until month to find that out…
SQUARE 49, CANCER (Option One): this is the fourth large intarsia zodiac symbol you will knit in this blanket, and it completes the final corner of the design.
Videos to watch for assistance with this square:
- Picking up stitches to begin a new square (February blog)
- Mattress stitch (horizontal) (February blog)
- How to knit intarsia (March blog)
I would advise that you choose the same option that you chose for Squares 1, 7 and 43.
This square uses the same colours as Square 7 – Euphoria for the background and Sapphire for the motif. As with the other three intarsia charts, I decided to use white for the background and Sapphire for the motif so that you can see the stitches on the chart more easily.
I opted for yarn bobbins again to knit this square as I find intarsia so much easier to knit if my yarns are kept organised at the back of the work as opposed to separate balls or long lengths. I used four bobbins of Euphoria plus the ball, casting on with the ball and then introducing the four bobbins of Euphoria when needed. And I used four bobbins of Sapphire.
SQUARE 49, CANCER (Option Two): this is the easier alternative and replaces intarsia with an all-over lacey stitch with hooked-in beads, knitted in the pink colourway.
Videos to watch for assistance with this square:
- Picking up stitches to begin a new square (February blog)
- Mattress stitch (horizontal) (February blog)
- Square 1, Capricorn (Option Two) (March blog)
- How to carry yarns up the side of the work (February blog)
- How to bead, the hooking-in method (February blog)
This is the same as Square 7, Option Two, with three beads used in the pattern - Night Sky, Lipstick and Indigo – which are are all hooked-in. It is difficult to see them on the image on page 20 – especially the Indigo and Night Sky which look very similar to each other. So just make sure that you read the instructions very carefully as you work through the pattern.
And that’s it for this month, happy knitting!
WITH THREE MORE STRIPS COMPLETED AFTER THIS INSTALMENT, YOU COULD GET AHEAD AND SEW THEM TOGETHER. If you decide to make a start on this, I gave you lots of tips and advice in the previous blog (September) to guide you through the process. So if you need any reminders, I would recommend that you take another look at it.
These are my guidelines for sewing strips 2 and 3 together, but they do not have to be followed if you prefer to use your own method and calculations.
SEW STRIP 2 (squares 8-14) TO STRIP 3 (squares 15-21)
Sew Square 8 (48 rows) to Square 15 (Option One) (73 rows): you need to ease 25 rows of Square 15 (Option One) into Square 8.
Along the edge of Square 8 place a marker between Rows 24 and 25.
Along the edge of Square 15 (Option One) place a marker on Row 37.
Ease in 25 rows as evenly as you can across the whole length of the squares, making sure that the marker on Square 8 is matched to the marker on Square 15 (Option One).
Sew Square 8 (48 rows) to Square 15 (Option Two) (88 rows): you need to ease 40 rows of Square 15 (Option Two) into Square 8.
Along the edge of Square 8 place a marker between Rows 24 and 25.
Along the edge of Square 15 (Option Two) place a marker between Rows 44 and 45.
Ease in 40 rows as evenly as you can across the whole length of the squares, making sure that the marker on Square 8 is matched to the marker on Square 15 (Option Two).
Sew Square 9 (63 rows) to Square 16 (84 rows): you need to ease 21 rows of Square 16 into Square 9.
Along the edge of Square 9 place a marker on Row 32.
Along the edge of Square 16 place a marker between Rows 42 and 43.
Ease in 21 rows as evenly as you can across the whole length of the squares, making sure that the marker on Square 9 is matched to the marker on Square 16.
Sew Square 10 (59 rows) to Square 17 (63 rows): you need to ease 4 rows of Square 17 into Square 10.
Along the edge of Square 10 place a marker on Row 30.
Along the edge of Square 17 place a marker on Row 32.
Ease in 4 rows as evenly as you can across the whole length of the squares, making sure that the marker on Square 10 is matched to the marker on Square 17.
Sew Square 11 (60 rows) to Square 18 (97 rows): you need to ease 37 rows of Square 18 into Square 11.
Along the edge of Square 11 place a marker between Rows 30 and 31.
Along the edge of Square 18 place a marker on Row 49.
Ease in 37 rows as evenly as you can across the whole length of the squares, making sure that the marker on Square 11 is matched to the marker on Square 18.
Sew Square 12 (59 rows) to Square 19 (65 rows): you need to ease 6 rows of Square 19 into Square 12.
Along the edge of Square 12 place a marker on Row 30.
Along the edge of Square 19 place a marker on Row 33.
Ease in 6 rows as evenly as you can across the whole length of the squares, making sure that the marker on Square 12 is matched to the marker on Square 19.
Sew Square 13 (63 rows) to Square 20 (84 rows): you need to ease 21 rows of Square 20 into Square 13.
Along the edge of Square 13 place a marker on Row 32.
Along the edge of Square 20 place a marker between Rows 42 and 43.
Ease in 21 rows as evenly as you can across the whole length of the squares, making sure that the marker on Square 13 is matched to the marker on Square 20.
Sew Square 14 (48 rows) to Square 21 (Option One) (73 rows): you need to ease 25 rows of Square 21 (Option One) into Square 14.
Along the edge of Square 14 place a marker between Rows 24 and 25.
Along the edge of Square 21 (Option One) place a marker on Row 37.
Ease in 25 rows as evenly as you can across the whole length of the squares, making sure that the marker on Square 14 is matched to the marker on Square 21 (Option One).
Sew Square 14 (48 rows) to Square 21 (Option Two) (88 rows): you need to ease 40 rows of Square 21 (Option Two) into Square 14.
Along the edge of Square 14 place a marker between Rows 24 and 25.
Along the edge of Square 21 (Option Two) place a marker between Rows 44 and 45.
Ease in 40 rows as evenly as you can across the whole length of the squares, making sure that the marker on Square 14 is matched to the marker on Square 21 (Option Two).
SEW STRIP 5 (squares 29-35) TO STRIP 6 (squares 36-42)
Sew Square 29 (Option One) (73 rows) to Square 36 (48 rows): you need to ease 25 rows of Square 29 (Option One) into Square 36.
Along the edge of Square 29 (Option One) place a marker on Row 37.
Along the edge of Square 36 place a marker between Rows 24 and 25.
Ease in 25 rows as evenly as you can across the whole length of the squares, making sure that the marker on Square 29 (Option One) is matched to the marker on Square 36.
Sew Square 29 (Option One) (88 rows) to Square 36 (48 rows): you need to ease 40 rows of Square 29 (Option Two) into Square 36.
Along the edge of Square 29 (Option One) place a marker between Rows 44 and 45.
Along the edge of Square 36 place a marker between Rows 24 and 25.
Ease in 40 rows as evenly as you can across the whole length of the squares, making sure that the marker on Square 29 (Option One) is matched to the marker on Square 36.
Sew Square 30 (84 rows) to Square 37 (63 rows): you need to ease 21 rows of Square 30 into Square 37.
Along the edge of Square 30 place a marker between Rows 42 and 43.
Along the edge of Square 37 place a marker between Rows 31 and 32.
Ease in 21 rows as evenly as you can across the whole length of the squares, making sure that the marker on Square 30 is matched to the marker on Square 37.
Sew Square 31 (65 rows) to Square 38 (59 rows): you need to ease 6 rows of Square 31 into Square 38.
Along the edge of Square 31 place a marker between Rows 32 and 33.
Along the edge of Square 38 place a marker between Rows 29 and 30.
Ease in 6 rows as evenly as you can across the whole length of the squares, making sure that the marker on Square 31 is matched to the marker on Square 38.
Sew Square 32 (97 rows) to Square 39 (60 rows): you need to ease 37 rows of Square 32 into Square 39.
Along the edge of Square 32 place a marker on Row 49.
Along the edge of Square 39 place a marker between Rows 30 and 31.
Ease in 37 rows as evenly as you can across the whole length of the squares, making sure that the marker on Square 32 is matched to the marker on Square 39.
Sew Square 33 (63 rows) to Square 40 (59 rows): you need to ease 4 rows of Square 33 into Square 40.
Along the edge of Square 33 place a marker on Row 32.
Along the edge of Square 40 place a marker on Row 30.
Ease in 4 rows as evenly as you can across the whole length of the squares, making sure that the marker on Square 33 is matched to the marker on Square 40.
Sew Square 34 (84 rows) to Square 41 (63 rows): you need to ease 21 rows of Square 34 into Square 41.
Along the edge of Square 34 place a marker between Rows 42 and 43.
Along the edge of Square 41 place a marker on Row 32.
Ease in 21 rows as evenly as you can across the whole length of the squares, making sure that the marker on Square 34 is matched to the marker on Square 41.
Sew Square 35 (73 rows) (Option One) to Square 42 (48 rows): you need to ease 25 rows of Square 35 (Option One) into Square 42.
Along the edge of Square 35 (Option One) place a marker on Row 37.
Along the edge of Square 42 place a marker between Rows 24 and 25.
Ease in 25 rows as evenly as you can across the whole length of the squares, making sure that the marker on Square 35 (Option One) is matched to the marker on Square 42.
Sew Square 35 (Option Two) (88 rows) to Square 42 (48 rows): you need to ease 40 rows of Square 35 (Option Two) into Square 42.
Along the edge of Square 35 (Option Two) place a marker between Rows 44 and 45.
Along the edge of Square 42 place a marker between Rows 24 and 25.
Ease in 40 rows as evenly as you can across the whole length of the squares, making sure that the marker on Square 35 (Option One) is matched to the marker on Square 42.
SEW STRIP 6 (squares 36-42) TO STRIP 7 (squares 43-49)
Sew Square 36 (48 rows) to Square 43 (Option One) (59 rows): you need to ease 11 rows of Square 43 (Option One) into Square 36.
Along the edge of Square 36 place a marker between Rows 24 and 25.
Along the edge of Square 43 (Option One) place a marker on Row 30.
Ease in 11 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 (Option One).
Sew Square 36 (48 rows) to Square 43 (Option Two) (60 rows): you need to ease 12 rows of Square 43 (Option Two) into Square 36.
Along the edge of Square 36 place a marker between Rows 24 and 25.
Along the edge of Square 43 (Option Two) place a marker between Rows 30 and 31.
Ease in 12 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 (Option Two).
Sew Square 37 (63 rows) to Square 44 (65 rows): you need to ease 2 rows of Square 44 into Square 37.
Along the edge of Square 37 place a marker on Row 32.
Along the edge of Square 44 place a marker on Row 33.
Ease in 2 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 (59 rows) to Square 45 (Option One) (73 rows): you need to ease 14 rows of Square 45 (Option One) into Square 38.
Along the edge of Square 38 place a marker between Rows 29 and 30.
Along the edge of Square 45 (Option One) place a marker between Rows 36 and 37.
Ease in 14 rows as evenly as you can across the whole length of the squares, making sure that the marker on Square 38 is matched to the marker on Square 45 (Option One).
Sew Square 38 (59 rows) to Square 45 (Option Two) (88 rows): you need to ease 29 rows of Square 45 (Option Two) into Square 38.
Along the edge of Square 38 place a marker between Rows 29 and 30.
Along the edge of Square 45 (Option Two) place a marker between Rows 44 and 45.
Ease in 29 rows as evenly as you can across the whole length of the squares, making sure that the marker on Square 38 is matched to the marker on Square 45 (Option Two).
Sew Square 39 (60 rows) to Square 46 (Option One) (62 rows): you need to ease 2 rows of Square 46 (Option One) into Square 39.
Along the edge of Square 39 place a marker between Rows 30 and 31.
Along the edge of Square 46 (Option One) place a marker between Rows 31 and 32.
Ease in 2 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 (Option One).
Sew Square 39 (60 rows) to Square 46 (Option Two) (72 rows): you need to ease 12 rows of Square 46 (Option Two) into Square 39.
Along the edge of Square 39 place a marker between Rows 30 and 31.
Along the edge of Square 46 (Option Two) place a marker between Rows 36 and 37.
Ease in 12 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 (Option Two).
Sew Square 40 (59 rows) to Square 47 (Option One) (73 rows): you need to ease 14 rows of Square 47 (Option One) into Square 40.
Along the edge of Square 40 place a marker on Row 30.
Along the edge of Square 47 (Option One) place a marker on Row 37.
Ease in 14 rows as evenly as you can across the whole length of the squares, making sure that the marker on Square 40 is matched to the marker on Square 47 (Option One).
Sew Square 40 (59 rows) to Square 47 (Option Two) (88 rows): you need to ease 29 rows of Square 47 (Option Two) into Square 40.
Along the edge of Square 40 place a marker on Row 30.
Along the edge of Square 47 (Option Two) place a marker between Rows 44 and 45.
Ease in 29 rows as evenly as you can across the whole length of the squares, making sure that the marker on Square 40 is matched to the marker on Square 47 (Option Two).
Sew Square 41 (63 rows) to Square 48 (65 rows): you need to ease 2 rows of Square 48 into Square 41.
Along the edge of Square 41 place a marker on Row 32.
Along the edge of Square 48 place a marker on Row 33.
Ease in 2 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 (48 rows) to Square 49 (Option One & Option Two) (60 rows): you need to ease 12 rows of Square 49 (Option One) into Square 42.
Along the edge of Square 42 place a marker between Rows 24 and 25.
Along the edge of Square 49 (Option One & Option Two) place a marker between Rows 30 and 31.
Ease in 12 rows as evenly as you can across the whole length of the squares, making sure that the marker on Square 42 is matched to the marker on Square 49 (Option One & Option Two).
FOR THE FINAL MAIL OUT YOU WILL NEED CIRCULAR NEEDLES TO KNIT THE EDGINGS. So it would be a good idea to get yourself prepped and ready for it before the final mail out is sent to you. You will need:
- a circular 2.75mm (US 2) (UK 12) 100cm length needle
- one 3.50mm (US 4) (UK n/a) needle for casting off the stitches.
If you have had to change your main needle size for this project, then you will need to make the same changes to the needles for the edgings.
WE’VE GOT SOME NEW KIT LAUNCHES COMING UP SOON WHICH YOU MIGHT WANT TO MAKE A NOTE OF IN YOUR DIARY:
- Friday 18th October: pre-orders open for our hugely popular Festive Mystery Knit Boxes – the perfect idea for a gift or a treat for yourself. Debbie’s Mystery Box includes ten mystery gifts including a brand-new festive knitting kit. Orders will commence delivery from 8th November.
- Friday 25th October: our festive kits promotion begins with the launch of two new kits, Star of Wonder Bunting and Rockin’ Around Mitts, so you can grab yourself any of our festive kits (including these two new ones) at a discounted price for a limited period (offer excludes Festive Mystery Knit Boxes).
WE ALWAYS KEEP A FEW SPARE KITS BACK FOR BOTH THE MYSTERY BLANKET AND CUSHION, but now we are coming to the end of both projects, we have one spare kit of each of these available to buy. So if you are interested, or know someone else who is, please get in touch with Sue and she will sort out the order with you: sue@debbieabrahams.com
OUR LOVELY MYSTERY CLUB MEETINGS AT YARN LOFT STARTED UP AGAIN LAST MONTH AFTER A BREAK OVER THE SUMMER. It was great to meet up with a few of the members in September and to see how well they are all getting on with their Mystery Blanket squares. Vanessa, Catherine, Joan and Mary joined Doreen and I for a couple of hours of very pleasant chat and a few rows of knitting (it’s hard to get a lot done when there is so much banter!). I was so pleased to see that all the ladies are keeping up with their squares and are on target to get their blankets finished by the end of the year. And with the weather getting progressively colder, they will come in extremely useful!
Below: Vanessa and Catherine crack on with their Mystery squares.
Our next meeting is on Wednesday 2nd October, so if you fancy coming along, please do join us. Yarn Loft is at 118 Hucknall Road, Carrington, Nottingham, tel number 07825 702433, website: www.yarnloft.co.uk.
Above: Joan and Mary in deep knitting discussion!
To cover the costs of hosting the meeting there is a small sub to pay (£3.00), which can be paid in cash to Doreen on the day.
I HAVE TWO MEMBER STORIES TO SHARE WITH YOU, BEGINING WITH JOAN BRAY who came to our Inspired Minds workshop at Lochside last year and successfully completed her Lochside Scarf, isn't it lovely!
In fact, it is so lovely, that when she entered it into a local village show, she won first prize!
Well done Joan, it was very well deserved! And now you've got lovely warm scarf to keep you warm this winter!
THE SECOND MEMBER STORY IS FROM MYSTERY BLANKET CLUB MEMBER, HELEN JACKSON FROM VANCOUVER, CANADA. Helen sent in these pics of the gorgeous flowers in her garden, plus a lovely story about one of her previous Mystery Blankets.
Helen says: "It's just a beautiful summer day in Vancouver BC - and these dahlias are from our garden, and the lovely butterfly landed on one too! I always think of you when I see colours like this.
One of my nursing colleagues retired today after 18 years teaching maternity and is retiring from here to Spain - she also designs her own material for quilts and has her own designs she sells - and I was inspired to give her my Casa Battlo blanket as a retirement gift that I made years ago as I know she will back it with one of her creations. She was overwhelmed and thrilled and has also been to the house! Just wanted to let you know how the joy from you is passed along!"
That is such a lovely story and such a wonderful gift to give to your colleague Helen! I am sure that she will treasure it very much and give it all the love and tlc it needs (plus a gorgeous backing). And those flowers! - they are just amazing. Such bright colours and beautiful shapes. Thanks for sharing, the colours are truly inspiring!
If you are not already a Ravelry member, then it is very easy (and free!) to join. Just follow the instructions on their website: http://www.ravelry.com
The Debbie Abrahams Mystery Knitters group on Facebook is another fun way to keep in touch with other members. It was set up a couple of years ago and has grown in size to over 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 NINTH AND PENULTIMATE 2024 MYSTERY BLANKET CLUB PRIZE DRAW!!! Each month a member is picked at random to win a Debbie Abrahams prize. So it is worth reading right the way to the end of each blog to see if you are that lucky member!
PRIZE DRAW NINE (OCTOBER): this month’s winner is member 271, Caro Hembling from Walton on the Naze in the UK. Well done Caro! Please choose a prize from the following selection:
- Your choice of one of Debbie’s knitting kits up to the value of £30.00 (take a look at them in our online shop).
- Six packs of Debbie Abrahams Beads (size 8/0 or 6/0) from the selection on http://www.debbieabrahamsbeads.co.uk
- A £30 voucher towards a Debbie Abrahams Mystery Club membership: 2024 Mystery Cushion Club or 2025 Mystery Blanket Club.
- A Mystery bag of five gifts!
We will notify Caro to let her know the good news!
So the countdown has well and truly begun to the climax of this year’s Mystery Blanket, and you might be starting to wonder about the centre square and what it might be. If you have any ideas, it is always lovely to hear your thoughts, so do send them into us – we always love to hear from you! Don’t forget to make a note on your calendar of our Festive Kits promotion and Festive Mystery Knit box launches which are happening later on this month - how better to start off the Autumn/Winter season with a few new kits, and maybe a 2025 Mystery Blanket Club to look forward to as well (don’t forget to sign up!). Have a wonderful month of super sparkly knitting, and I will see you back here at the beginning of November when all will be revealed in the final instalment of this year’s Mystery Blanket. Happy knitting everyone! Debbie x
