Mystery Cushion Club 2025: post 2, July

  

WELCOME TO THE SECOND INSTALMENT OF THE 2025 MYSTERY CUSHION CLUB! And this month you have three more super colourful blocks to keep you going through July, with plenty of interesting textured patterns and of course plenty of beads to keep you both challenged and motivated on this unique KAL journey!  

Our tech vids are easily accessed through the Tutorial link on our Homepage and are there for you for support if needed (see the list below). Plus there are three new tech vids this month to guide you smoothly through the new blocks you are knitting this month:

• MCC25 Block 4 (On The Dotted Line), how to knit rows 3 & 4
• MCC25 Block 4, (On The Dotted Line), how to knit rows 12 & 13
• MCC25 Block 8 (Vivacious), how to knit rows 5 & 6
• How to thread beads onto yarn (Tutorials: Beading Techniques)
• Slip-stitch beading (Tutorials: Beading Techniques)
• Hooked-in beads (Tutorials: Beading Techniques)
• How to knit fairisle (Tutorials: Colour Knitting Techniques)
• How to carry yarns up the side of the work (Tutorials: Knitting Basics)
• Swiss-darning (Tutorials: Embroidery on Knitting)

AS FAR AS I AM AWARE, ALL OF THE MEMBERS HAVE HAD THEIR KNITTING KIT DELIVERED. However, if you don’t have your kit then you need to contact me directly at debbie@debbieabrahams.com. It is very rare that a parcel goes missing whilst in transit, but it does happen occasionally. We post all of the overseas kits by Tracked delivery which means they each have a unique tracking number. However, the UK kits are posted by Royal Mail Standard delivery and are untracked.

MEMBERS WHO PAID FOR PRINTED PATTERNS SHOULD RECEIVE THEIR LOVELY GLOSSY BROCHURE VERY SOON. All of the UK and overseas patterns were posted on Monday 14^th July, so if Royal Mail operate efficiently (fingers crossed!), hopefully the UK members will receive their patterns on launch day. However, printed patterns for the overseas members probably won’t arrive until the end of the week. Apologies for this late posting, but we had a few unexpected family issues to deal with in the week leading up to our postal deadline which meant I was away from home and unable to fulfil all my work tasks on time.

Everyone will find the July mail-out in their Debbie Abrahams account on our website. So if you are without your printed brochure on launch day and want to get going – or at least browse through the patterns – you can still take a look at it by downloading the file.

This is a reminder of the steps you need to follow in order to access the new patterns from your account each month:

• Log into your Debbie Abrahams account on our website with your username and password.
• Click the "DIGITAL DOWNLOADS" buttons to view your mail outs.
• Your latest available mail-outs will be visible here in PDF format to download

If you are having a problem with logging into your account, please contact Jason on our tech team and he will be able to assist you: support@debbieabrahams.com

THERE IS A CORRECTION TO PAGE 10 OF THE JULY MAIL-OUT, BLOCK 8 VIVACIOUS, which has been added to the Addendum page on our website:

Page 10: Block 8, Vivacious: Lipstick beads are incorrectly listed for Block 8, only Red beads are used in this block.

Apologies for this error, a last minute change was made to this block, and the reference to Lipstick beads on the beads list on page 10 was overlooked. The pattern instructions themselves are correct.

ON PAGE 4 OF YOUR JULY MAIL-OUT YOU WILL FIND THE PIECING DIAGRAM, TO WHICH THE THREE NEW BLOCKS THIS MONTH HAVE BEEN ADDED. As you can see, the blocks in the front panel are various sizes, so it is important that your blocks are knitted, blocked and pressed to the correct measurements to achieve the finished overall measurement of 45cm x 35cm. The measurements for each block are listed in the Pattern notes and tips, which are always on the right-hand side of the image on the first page of each pattern.

YOU CAN SEE FROM THE PIECING DIAGRAM THAT AFTER COMPLETING THIS MONTH’S BLOCKS YOU WILL HAVE ONE HORIZONTAL STRIP OF THE FRONT PANEL COMPLETED. So this means that you could get ahead and sew together blocks 1, 2 and 3. I would suggest that you do this using Mattress stitch as it’s a really neat way of joining knitted fabrics.

If you are unsure of this technique then you can get some guidance from my demo which is included in the sixth instalment of the 2023/24 Baby Blanket blog: https://debbieabrahams.com/blogs/news/mystery-baby-blanket-club-2023-24-mail-out-6

Please note that this tech vid has not yet been added to our Tutorials, so you will need to access it via this link.

Here are a few tips about Mattress stitch and how you join together different knitted structures:

In this cushion all of the blocks are facing in the same direction, so this makes it much easier to sew them together. All you need to watch out for is the number of rows, which vary from block to block. This means that some easing in will be required.

My method of Mattress stitch is based on taking the needle under 2 ‘bars’ at a time as demonstrated in the tech vid for vertical mattress stitch (see link above). 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.

Here are a couple of tips about how to ease in rows:

• Garter stitch rows have 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.
• 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.
• Hooked-in beads have a slightly looser tension than stocking stitch, so if you need to ease in some rows it is best to do this across the beaded rows, taking the needle under more of the stocking stitch rows than the beaded rows. But it is the reverse for slip-stitch beads which have a slightly tighter tension than stocking stitch, so if you need to ease in rows it is best to do this across the stocking stitch rows, taking the needle under more of the beaded rows than the stocking stitch rows.

·       Placing a stitch marker in the centre of each block along the selvedge edge can serve as a useful reference point when sewing up. All you need to do is make sure that your markers match up and then you can be sure that your blocks are joining together nice and evenly.

Hopefully these tips will help you to sew together your Mystery Cushion blocks more easily, resulting in a really great professional look!

DON’T FORGET TO MARK FRIDAY 29^TH AUGUST ON YOUR CALENDAR AS IT’S LAUNCH DAY FOR SIGN-UPS TO THE 2026 MYSTERY BLANKET CLUB!  So if you fancy another unique and totally awesome KAL and an exciting and very colourful project to see you through from February to November next year, then why not get yourself signed up and be part of my exclusive and super exciting brand new knitting adventure!?!

Above: Mystery Blanket 2018, Casa Battlo.

If you sign up before the 30^th September you can take advantage of our Early Bird Special Offer which entitles you to some fabulous benefits including entry into our Prize Draw and the opportunity to win one of ten super prizes. 

And if you are a 2025 Mystery Blanket Club member, you will get a discount on the cost of the 2026 membership!

Below: Mystery Blanket 2024, It's Written In The Stars.

More details of our Early Bird offer will be given in the August Mystery Blanket blog at the beginning of the month, and in the next Mystery Cushion blog on the 15^th August. So make sure you come back here to find out more about this, along with a sneaky peek at some of the yarns and colours in my 2026 Mystery Blanket design.

If you love colour then you won’t want to miss out, so make sure you mark it on your calendar today!

THERE ARE THREE MORE FRONT PANEL BLOCKS TO KNIT THIS MONTH, and to help set you off confidently on your way, here are some useful tips which are worth a read before you begin…

FRONT PANEL, Block 3: Criss-cross 2 – hooked-in beads on stocking stitch with a garter stitch contrast-coloured edging:

FRONT PANEL, Block 4: On The Dotted Line – two-colour stitch pattern with hooked-in beads and textured stitches:

FRONT PANEL, Block 8: Vivacious – two-colour stitch pattern with slip-stitch beads:

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 square as this tells you what the stitch structure is.

You can use the tech vids to assist you, but here are a few extra tips for each block:

BLOCK 3, CRISS-CROSS 2: we begin this month with a variation of a Mail-Out 1 block – it’s the same pattern as Block 1 but the colours of the yarns and beads are different.

Videos to watch for assistance with this block:

• Hooked-in beads (Tutorials: Beading Techniques)

There are rather a lot of beads in this square, but the block is relatively small, only measuring 10cm x 10cm, so although it is bead-heavy, you’ve only got twenty-five rows of beads to knit. If you’re a beadaholic like me, you’ll going to love this one!

The chart is on page 6 of your July mail-out. It begins after the contrast-coloured edging in Jaune, with the initial rows after casting on, on page 6.

With this being a re-run of a previous block, hopefully you will sail through it nice and easily and onto the next block which is…

BLOCK 4, ON THE DOTTED LINE: this busy colourful block combines together a two-colour textured pattern and a slip-stitch pattern with hooked-in beads, so there’s plenty in it to keep you focused all the way to the end!

Videos to watch for assistance with this block:

• NEW! Block 4, how to knit rows 3 & 4 (2025 Mystery Cushion)
• NEW! Block 4, how to knit rows 12 & 13 (2025 Myst
• Hooked-in beads (Tutorials: Beading Techniques)
• How to carry yarns up the side of the work (Tutorials: Knitting Basics)

There are three main things going on in this square: a two-colour textured pattern, an exaggerated purl stitch pattern with slipped stitches, and hooked-in beads.

Once you get the hang of the two-colour textured pattern, this section of the block is not as complicated to knit as it might look. But it would be a good idea to watch my new tech vid for it in which I show you how to knit rows 3 & 4. Basically it’s created by knitting alternate stitches in two colours, but the key to the pattern is to cross the yarns over on the right side of the work throughout – so that’s on both right side and wrong side rows. On right side rows you are knitting the stitches, and on wrong side rows you are purling the stitches.

It is imperative that you pick up Utopia/Spellbound from under Jaune on all of the rows, otherwise the pattern will not look like it does in the image.

My test knitter commented that knitting this section is like patting your head and rubbing your tummy at the same time – which I agree is probably how it feels at first! However, once you’ve got to grips with it, it’s actually quite fun to knit, and creates a really interesting two-colour pattern which resembles woven fabric in both its structure and look.

The exaggerated purl stitch – which is a textured stripe of Tropic on a background of Serenity - is one that I have used before in some of my other Mystery projects. If you knitted my 2023 Mystery Blanket ‘The Enchanted Forest’ then you will recognise it from the square called ‘Forager’. If you need a reminder of it, or you are knitting this stitch pattern for the first time, then my second new tech vid this month will guide you through what to do. It involves working with one colour only for the two pattern rows, but because stitches are slipped it gives the illusion of two colours.

On Row 12 (which is demonstrated in my tech vid), stitches are slipped and the alternate stitches between them are increased into once to create two stitches. This will result in a greater number of stitches at the end of this row, however, they are cancelled straight back out on Row 13, at the end of which you will have the original number of stitches on your needle.

You may find the increase row (Row 12) quite tight to knit, but persevere with it, and if it’s really tricky then a pointy needle will make the increases much easier to do. On Row 13 the yarn is kept at the front of the work throughout as you slip stitches and P2tog the alternate stitches in between. Just a note on slipping the stitches, make sure that you slip them purlwise (sl1p) otherwise they will sit twisted on the needle.

The other thing to keep your eye on are the changes in needle sizes which happen throughout this block. The changes are needed to maintain a uniform width, so they are important to do – even if they are bit of a nuisance!

Now it’s time to press play, watch those tech vids and then get going!

BLOCK 8, VIVACIOUS: the final block for this month is another play with colour using two different yarns and sparkly hooked-in beads to create a colourful striped pattern.

Videos to watch for assistance with this square:

• NEW! Block 8, how to knit rows 5 & 6 (Tutorials: 2025 Mystery Cushion)
• How to thread beads onto yarn (Tutorials: Beading Techniques)
• Slip-stitch beading (Tutorials: Beading Techniques)
• How to carry yarns up the side of the work (Tutorials: Knitting Basics)

There’s something about the magic of mixing together two colours with textured stitches which really intrigues me, and this block is no exception! In this block a  super colourful pattern is created, which like 'On The Dotted Line', may look tricky at first, but it really is quite easy to knit.

The tricky bit of the pattern is on rows 5 & 6, for which there is a new tech vid this month to assist you. So if you find the worded instructions a little confusing to follow, the tech vid should clarify what you are being instructed to do.

On Row 5 you are knitting stitches in alternate colours, keeping Jaune on top and Spellbound underneath. This is really important for the pattern to work out correctly. The yarns are kept at the back (on the wrong side) of the work throughout.

On the next row (Row 6), the stitches are worked in the two alternate colours again, but this time both yarns are kept on the right side of the work, so this is on the front of the work which is facing away from you. This is what creates the looped stitch effect on the right side of the work.

There is a transfer of stitches back onto the other needle which happens after Rows 13 and 26. To do this you simply slide the stitches one by one back onto the other needle so that the right side of the work is facing again for the next row.

One last thing to mention is the change in needle sizes, and there are three in this block. It really is important that these needle size changes are made when instructed to keep all the stitches and rows to the correct width and depth. They are in purple text in the instructions so that they are easier to see as you are working your way through the pattern.

Now you’re all set to grab your needles and get going. Have fun!

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!?!

NOW IT’S TIME TO HAVE A GO AT GUESSING THE TITLE OF THE MYSTERY CUSHION – unless of course you have sneaked a look at the tote bag or the woven label! This month I am going to add another letter to the puzzle below, and if you think you know what it is, let me know your thoughts.

This month the letter I am giving you is ‘L’:
_  _  I  _  L  _  _  _

If you think you know what it is, please email your answer to me at debbie@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 August blog. And if you are not, then there’ll be more clues next month to help you.

Thanks for tuning into my blog this month, I hope you’ve found it informative and motivational too! It’s always lovely to hear from you, so if you have any pics or words to share, write into me at debbie@debbieabrahams.com and I will be sure to include them in the next blog. I am looking forward to a warm and sunny rest of the month which means plenty of knitting outdoors, and with a pile of projects on my desk, I am going to be super busy – just like you! So without further ado, I wish you all a happy and inspirational four weeks until we meet back here again on the 15^th August. Until then, take care everyone and enjoy your July squares, Debbie, x