Mystery Cushion Club 2024: post 3, August
Debbie AbrahamsWELCOME TO THE AUGUST INSTALMENT OF THE 2024 MYSTERY CUSHION CLUB! And I think I can say that summer has finally arrived here in the UK, with lots of glorious sunshine promised in Nottingham over the next couple of weeks. The school summer holidays are well underway, so we are out and about with Seth enjoying some family time together, which is lovely, but even better when the sun shines!
In this month’s mail-out you are going to knit up the final two blocks for the front panel, and when these are completed, the front panel will be ready for the back panels. So you could get yourself prepped and ready for the final two instalments by sewing together the front panel blocks after you’ve knitted this month’s patterns. The instructions for how to sew them together are on page 8 of the August mail-out, but there is lots of extra advice about how to do this in this month’s blog, plus there are some new tech vids to help you.
So let’s begin with an intro from me (I haven’t seen you all for a while, how are you doing?!?), plus there are three tech vids for Mattress stitch to help you sew together the front panel blocks (in the intro I say that that there are two tech vids, but there are actually three)…
Mystery Cushion Club 2024 - Mailout 3 | MCC2024
Mattress stitch: sewing a cast-off edge to a selvedge | MCC2024
Mattress Stitch Horizontal | MCC2024
Mattress Stitch Vertical | MCC2024
There are several other tech vids in previous Mystery Cushion blogs that you can still access if you need some assistance with the techniques. This list tells you which blogs you will find them in:
- NEW THIS MONTH! Mattress stitch (vertical)
- NEW THIS MONTH! Mattress stitch (horizontal)
- NEW THIS MONTH! Mattress stitch (sewing a cast-off edge to a selvedge edge)
- How to carry yarns up the side of the work (June blog)
- How to bead, the hooking-in method (June blog)
- How to pick up stitches along a cast-off edge (to knit the next square) (June blog)
- Mattress stitch (horizontal) (June blog)
- How to cast on using several colours (June blog)
- How to cable (June blog)
- Block 3, Embossed: how to cross the yarns over when changing colour (June blog)
- How to knit intarsia (June blog)
THERE IS JUST ONE THING I’VE NOTICED IN MAIL-OUT 3, IT’S ON PAGE 7, BLOCK 6, IMPRINT. I say on rows 2, 4, 6 and 8, on the third line of the instruction, ‘before releasing the stitch off the left needle’. In hindsight this should really say ‘stitches’ as there are two stitches on the left needle that need to be released, not one. It’s a minor thing that you might not notice when knitting this block, but I thought it was a good idea to flag it up just in case anyone is confused by it.
THE PRINTED PATTERNS HAVE BEEN POSTED TO THE MEMBERS WHO OPTED FOR THEM. The overseas were posted on the 9th August, and the UK on the 13th August, so if they have not already arrived, they should be with you very soon.
IF YOU ARE READING THIS ON THE FIRST DAY OF INSTALMENT 3 (15TH AUGUST), THEN YOU ARE JUST IN TIME TO GRAB YOURSELF A BARGAIN IN OUR END OF SUMMER SALE! We are offering books, knitting kits and beads at a fabulous 10% discount until 16th August (23:59 BST), so if you nip across to our online shop as soon as you read this, you might be in time to have a browse and make a purchase. Everything is on offer except for my two new kits, Amour and Tuscany, and our Bespoke Mystery Boxes. Happy shopping everyone!
Top to bottom: Chic Case, Lavish Cushion, Fraggle Rock Cowl (black and white).
ON 23RD AUGUST WE ARE LAUNCHING SIGN-UPS FOR OUR 2025 MYSTERY BLANKET! So if you fancy coming on board next year for my brand new KAL, don’t hesitate to sign up if you want to take advantage of our fabulous Early Bird special offer. Everyone who signs up to the club before 30th September can enjoy the benefits of being an Early Bird, which includes a discount off the cost of the membership, a free cushion pattern inspired by the 2025 Mystery Blanket, discounted entry into a Rowan Connect event and the chance to win some amazing prizes in our Early Bird Prize Draw! There will be prizes and freebies donated from both Rowan and Debbie Abrahams which means that all of our Early Birds are in for a real treat!
Above: Mystery Blanket 2019, Winter Wonderland.
If you would prefer to pay in instalments rather than pay in one go, then you can use our Splitit payment plan to spread your payment across 2-4 months. If you opt to pay in instalments you can still take advantage of all the benefits of our Early Bird special offer.
All of the yarn in the 2025 Mystery Blanket kit will be supplied by Rowan. This means you will be working with a gorgeous collection of premium quality yarns including Felted Tweed, Summerlite DK and Soft Yak. And of course there will be plenty of sparkling beads too…
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!
We will also be offering the Mystery Blanket as a download pattern only for anyone who would prefer not to have the knitting kit.
Above: Mystery Blanket 2016, A French Romance.
I never like to say too much about the new design as it is a ‘mystery’, but here is a sneak preview of some of the colours that are in it, just to give you a glimpse of what direction it is going in. Unlike the strong vibrant shades in this year’s Mystery Blanket, the palette for next year is soft and soothing with a focus on shades of powder blue, silver grey, soft sand and white. It’s a much gentler mix of colours, knitted up into interesting stitch structures, cables, stripes, intarsia, and there’s a scattering of sparkling beads too.
My ‘mystery’ KALS are my favourite thing in the world to design, and what makes it even more exciting for me is to know that it is being knitted and shared with knitters from all over the world! I am super excited about next year’s Mystery Blanket, and hope that you are too. Just wait for our email to drop into your inbox on the 23rd August and then you can get yourself signed up and ready for a whole new fun-packed knitting adventure in 2025!
JOIN ME AT A ROWAN CONNECT EVENT ON 14TH SEPTEMBER! This is a complimentary event on Saturday 14th September between 20:00-21:00 BST in which I will be talking to Rowan’s wonderful Brand Manager, David Macleod, about my knitting career and close association with Rowan.
We will be chatting about the early days of my career when I first started working with Rowan in 1995 and will be taking a look at my designs that featured in some of the early Rowan magazines. Plus I will be talking about my knitting workshops and holidays, and of course my next new KAL, the 2025 Mystery Blanket. All you need to do is register for the weekend (which costs £10) and then you have free access to my event, plus the opportunity to enjoy many other fabulous events that are happening throughout that weekend: https://www.rowanconnect.live/event/79e60a43-77fc-41b4-b529-49be8e4d12ea/regProcessStep1
THERE ARE TWO BLOCKS TO KNIT THIS THIS MONTH, plus you can make a start on sewing together the front panel blocks as well, so there’s plenty to do!
FRONT PANEL, Block 5: Corrugated 2 – garter stitch and stocking stitch stripes with hooked-in beads:
FRONT PANEL, Block 6: Imprint – three-colour textured stripe:
On each pattern page there is a list of Pattern notes and tips that are worth reading before you start to knit each block. 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 block as this tells you what the stitch structure is.
BLOCK 5, CORRUGATED 2: this small rectangular block is the same stripe pattern as Block 2 from Mail Out 1, but it uses different yarns and beads.
Videos to watch for assistance with this square:
- How to carry yarns up the side of the work (June blog)
- How to bead, the hooking-in method (June blog)
This block is cast on separately and is not picked up from any of the other blocks you have already knitted. If you look at the Piecing Diagram on page 4, you will see that it is positioned sideways on top of Block 1. It measures 15cm across and 7.5cm down and is the same size as Block 4.
It’s a garter stitch and stocking stitch stripe knitted in Euphoria and Autumn Gold, with Bronze beads hooked-in on the Autumn Gold stripes. Because garter and stocking stitch are different tensions, it is important that you remember to change needle sizes when instructed. The smaller needles will ensure that the garter stitch stripes in Euphoria are the same width as the rest of the knitting and don’t ‘balloon’ out.
It's a small block knitted in an easy-to-knit pattern, and as you’ve knitted a similar block to this before, you should find this a nice quick one to knit up.
BLOCK 6, IMPRINT: three colours are rotated round in a repeat sequence to create this all-over textured stripe pattern.
Videos to watch for assistance with this square:
- How to carry yarns up the side of the work (June blog)
- How to bead, the hooking-in method (June blog)
The first thing to note about this block is that it uses a size smaller needle than the recommended main needle size, so make sure that you grab the correct size needles before you begin.
Like Block 5, it is knitted separately so it is cast-on rather than picked up from another block. If you look at the Piecing Diagram on page 4, you will see where it is positioned, it’s above Block 1, with the right selvedge edge meeting the cast-off edge of Block 5.
I did not record a tech vid for the pattern repeat in this block as I think that the worded instructions are clear and straightforward. However, I would advise that you read through them before you begin, just to familiarise yourself with what you are going to do. Basically it’s an eight-row colour stripe repeat, with two stitches purled together then knitted together before releasing them off the left needle. This is done in pairs of stitches across the whole of each wrong-side row, then the alternate right-side rows are knitted. I think that it creates a really fascinating stitch structure and I found it very addictive to knit. I really hope that you enjoy knitting it up too!
AFTER YOU HAVE COMPLETED THIS MONTH’S BLOCKS, ALL OF THE FRONT PANEL BLOCKS WILL BE COMPLETED, so the next task is to sew them together to create one panel. This will need to be done before you knit the fourth instalment, so I think it’s best to get it done now rather than leaving it until later.
The sewing together of these blocks is a little more complex than some of my other projects you may have knitted up before, as some of the blocks are positioned on their side. This means that you are not always sewing a selvedge to a selvedge edge, but sometimes you will be sewing a selvedge edge to a cast-on or cast-off edge. Therefore, to help you with this I am going to give you some detailed instructions and extra advice about how to sew them together. I also took some snapshots when I sewed together my blocks to provide you with a bit of extra guidance.
I would recommend using Mattress stitch for sewing your blocks together. In this blog there are tech vids for:
- Mattress stitch (vertical)
- Mattress stitch (horizontal)
- Mattress stitch (sewing a cast-off edge to a selvedge edge)
This is how Mattress stitch works vertically:
Vertical (sewing selvedge to selvedge): with right sides facing and with two blocks sitting next to each other, take the needle from the back to the front of the work under two bars at a time, inserting the needle under the bar between the edge stitch and the next stitch in. To keep the edges level at the bottom, begin by taking the needle under the first bar of the first block (the one on the left), then take the needle under the first bar and the next one up (two bars) of the second block (the one on the right). After this take the needle under two bars on each side, zig-zagging back and forth between the two blocks, and making sure that your needle always goes back into the same gap between the bars each time.
So how do you ease in rows? You can do this quite simply using Mattress stitch by taking the needle under one bar instead of two whenever you need to ease. If there is just one row to be eased, I would advise that you do this in the middle of the block. However, if with other blocks there are more rows to ease in then you can repeat this as many times as required along the edge that needs to be eased in, dividing the number of easings as equally as possible along the seam.
Horizontal (sewing cast-off edge to cast-on edge): with right sides facing and with the first block positioned below the second block and beginning at the right selvedge edge, take the needle under half a stitch of the first block, then take the needle under a whole stitch on the second block. After this take the needle under one whole stitch on each block, zig-zagging back and forth between the two blocks, and making sure that your needle always goes back into the same gap between the stitches each time.
So how do you ease in stitches? You can do this quite simply using Mattress stitch by taking the needle under one and a half stitches instead of one whenever you need to ease. If there is just one stirch to be eased, I would advise that you do this in the middle of the block. However, if with other blocks there are more stitches to ease in then you can repeat this as many times as required along the edge that needs to be eased in, dividing the number of easings as equally as possible along the seam.
Cast-off/cast-on edge to a selvedge (side edge): this will be a combination of the two techniques described above, with stitches along the cast-on/cast-off edge sewn to rows along the selvedge edge. So on one block you will be taking the needle under stitches, and on the other block you will be taking the needle under bars.
When sewing these edges together there will be some easing required. I prefer to keep the stitches consistent, always taking the needle under one whole stitch. Then all of the easings are done on the rows, with the needle taken under either one bar, two bars or three bars, depending on how many rows need to be eased in or out.
This is how I sewed the blocks together for the front panel:
If you have not picked up stitches to knit Blocks 3 and 4, you will need to sew the cast-off edge of Block 2 to the cast-on edge of Block 3, and the cast-off edge of Block 3 to the cast-on edge of Block 4. They are all 39 stitches in width, so no easing is necessary.
Sew Block 5 (39 stitches) to Block 6 (54 rows).
I used Euphoria yarn to sew up with.
Along the cast-off edge of Block 5 place a marker at the halfway point (stitch 20).
Along the right selvedge edge of Block 6 place a marker at the halfway point (between rows 27 and 28).
Ease the two blocks together, making sure that the markers along each of the edges match up at the halfway point.
Sew Block 1 (73 stitches) to Blocks 5 (36 rows) & 6 (60 stitches).
I used Vermillion yarn to sew up with.
Place Block 1 on top of Blocks 5 & 6, as in the Piecing diagram. Along the cast-off edge of Block 1 place a marker at the point at which the seam between Blocks 5 & 6 meets Block 1 (for my blocks, this was on stitch 22 of the chart for Block 1 (see chart for Block 1 on page 7 of Mail Out 2).
Sew left selvedge edge of Block 5 to Block 1, finishing at the marker placed along the cast-off edge of Block 1.
Along the cast-off edge of Block 1, place another marker at the halfway point between the left selvedge edge to where the seam between Blocks 5 & 6 meets Block 1 (in other words, the halfway point of the remaining cast-off edge of Block 1 that is not seamed).
Along the cast-on edge of Block 6 place a marker at the halfway point (between stitches 30 and 31).
Ease the two blocks together, making sure that the markers along each of the edges match up at the halfway point.
Sew Blocks 1 (70 rows) & Block 5 (39 stitches) to Blocks 2 (60 rows), Block 3 (52 rows) & Block 4 (25 rows).
I used Euphoria yarn to sew up with.
Place new panel Blocks 1, 5 and 6 next to the strip of Blocks 2, 3 and 4, as in the Piecing diagram.
Along the right selvedge edge of Block 1, place a marker where the cast-off edge of Block 2 meets it (for my blocks, this was on row 46 of the chart for Block 1 (see chart for Block 1 on page 7 of Mail Out 2).
Along the left selvedge edge of Block 3 place a marker at the halfway point (this is the middle cable twist). The cast-off edge of Block 1 needs to match to this marker when sewn together. (Note that on the Piecing Diagram, the top of Block 1 is shown higher up, it should actually be in the middle of Block 3).
Along the cast-on edge of Block 5 place a marker at the halfway point (stitch 20). The cast-off edge of Block 3 needs to match to this marker when sewn together. (Note that on the Piecing Diagram, the top of Block 3 is shown lower down, it should actually be in the middle of Block 5).
Sew right selvedge edge of Block 1 and the cast-on edge of Block 5 to the left selvedge edges of the strip (Blocks 2, 3 and 4), easing them together, and making sure that the markers along each of the edges match up.
When you have completed this, block and press the whole of the front panel (45cm across and 35cm down), so that it is ready for Mail Out 4 and the back panels!
THIS IS A REMINDER ABOUT OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS, which can be hugely beneficial if you want to keep up to date with all my latest news or join a Debbie Abrahams group:
Ravelry: Debbie Abrahams Handknits
Facebook: Debbie Abrahams Mystery Knitters
Facebook: Debbie Abrahams Handknits (our own FB page)
Instagram: debbieabrahams_knitting
Pinterest: debbieabrahams@debbieabrahamsk
The Facebook and Ravelry groups are great communities to be part of, especially if you are out there knitting on your own and need a bit of advice or encouragement. They are brilliant for technical support too and there are many very experienced knitters in both groups who are only too happy to help with queries about the projects. They are both free to join and a lot of fun to be part of, so why not join today!?!
IF YOU FANCY A KNIT AND CHAT WITH OTHER MYSTERY CLUB MEMBERS THEN JOIN ME AND SOME LOVELY LADIES IN NOTTINGHAM AT YARN LOFT! We are taking a break over the summer, so our next meeting is on Wednesday 4th September between 4-6pm. The meetings are a great way to meet other members in the mystery clubs and share help and advice in a friendly, happy environment.
Yarn Loft is at 118 Hucknall Road, Carrington, Nottingham, tel number 07825 702433, website: www.yarnloft.co.uk. 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.
The remaining dates for your diaries after the September meeting at Yarn Loft are:
Wednesday 2nd October
Wednesday 6th November.
WITH ANOTHER TWO BLOCKS RELEASED THIS MONTH, HAVE YOU HAD ENOUGH CLUES TO GUESS THE TITLE OF THE MYSTERY CUSHION? We’ve only had a few correct guesses sent in so far by these lovely ladies: Caroline Evans, Catherine Pope, Gail Coles and Alison Teague. So well done to all of you for getting it right!
If this month’s blocks don’t trigger any ideas, what about another letter in the puzzle below?!?
This month the letter I am giving you is ‘P’:
_ _ _ O _ P A _ _
If you think you know what it is, please email your answer to Sue at sue@debbieabrahams.com to see if you are right. And if you are, then with your permission, we will include you in the list of correct guessers in the September blog. And if you are not, then there’ll be more clues next month to help you.
Thanks for taking the time to read my blog, and I hope the content and advice will help you sail through this month’s knitting! I can hardly believe that we are halfway through the project already with just two more instalments to go. Next month you will make a start on the back panels - any ideas as to what they may be?!? In the meantime, let’s hope that the sun keeps shining as we knit our way through August! See you next month everyone! Debbie, x
