The Brilliant Bead Club, project 1: Majorelle Bag

The Brilliant Bead Club, project 1: Majorelle Bag

Debbie Abrahams

WELCOME TO THE FIRST INSTALMENT OF MY BRAND NEW KNITTING KAL, THE BRILLIANT BEAD CLUB! I am thrilled that you have decided to join me on my new knitting adventure which promises to bring a whole lot of sparkle into your life over the next year. Knitting with beads has always been my passion since I started my handknit business over thirty years ago. And I continue to be inspired everyday by the endless possibilities of working with our glorious collection of fifty-seven colours - they always brighten up my day!

 

Like the Mystery Blanket Club, this is a global KAL with knitters signed up from all over the world, including New Zealand, Australia, USA, Canada, Malaysia, Austria, Sweden, Ireland and the UK. So I would like to warmly welcome everyone on board and hope that you enjoy the sparkly projects that I have in store for you!

This blog is the place to come for all the latest TBBC news, and I will write one at the beginning of each new project. There are four projects altogether in the club which will be launched mid-month in May, August, November and February. In each blog there will be all the latest club news including tips and advice about the project you are knitting, so it is well worth a read before you grab your knitting needles.

You will see below a video intro from me, so before you do anything else, why not make yourself a cuppa, sit back, and enjoy a short chat with me!

IF YOU NEED ANY HELP OR ADVICE WITH YOUR TBBC MEMBERSHIP THEN WE HAVE A GREAT TEAM TO SUPPORT YOU. These are the contacts details of who you need to email for your queries:

ALL OF THE PARCELS HAVE BEEN POSTED, using Royal Mail's Tracked Service. So if you have not received yours yet, it will arrive very soon. You can follow your parcel's progress using the tracking number which has been emailed to you. If you have any queries about your parcel, please contact Sue: sue@debbieabrahams.com

THREE LEVELS OF MEMBERSHIP WERE OFFERED TO YOU:

Bronze membership: beads, emailed patterns, fastenings, woven labels, TBBC pen (includes 14 different colours across 5,500 Debbie Abrahams Size 6 beads packaged in a black magnetic bead-box).

Silver membership: beads, woven labels, TBBC pen, emailed patterns and four complete knitting kits (includes 25 balls of premium quality handknitting yarns, 14 different colours across 5,500 Debbie Abrahams Size 6 beads), a black magnetic bead-box and an exclusive TBBC zipped black bead case.

Gold membership: beads, TBBC pen, emailed patterns and four complete knitting kits (includes 25 balls of premium quality handknitting yarns, 14 different colours across 5,500 Debbie Abrahams Size 6 beads), four sets of printed patterns, a black magnetic bead-box and an exclusive TBBC zipped black bead case.

The first 200 members who signed up to Silver or Gold packages also received an  exclusive black canvas TBBC drawstring bag, perfect to carry round and protect your TBBC projects!

Remember that there is an extra benefit for all members, 10% off the cost of Debbie Abrahams beads until February 2027 purchased through our web-shop using a unique code that we included in your confirmation email.

BRONZE MEMBERS WILL RECEIVE A BEAD PACK FOR EACH OF THE FOUR PROJECTS, which are all in the black magnetic bead box, along with the turquoise TBBC pen. Each pack is clearly labelled for each project. This is the only shipment for Bronze members.

You will find a list of the contents of each of the four projects on the back of the postcards in each of the bead packs. So if you want to stick to what I have used, this is your shopping list. However, if you are planning to put together your own choice of colours and yarns then you need to keep an eye on the weight of the yarn you are using, the specified needle sizes and meterage per ball to make sure that you achieve the correct tension and have sufficient yarn to complete the project.

SILVER MEMBERS WILL RECEIVE TWO SEPARATE PACKAGES, ONE IN MAY AND A SECOND ONE IN NOVEMBER. The first package includes the full knitting kits for Majorelle Bag and Sycamore Cowl, plus the black canvas case and magnetic bead box.

GOLD MEMBERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE TWO SEPARATE PACKAGES, which include everything listed above for Silver members with the addition of printed patterns. In this first package the printed pattern for Majorelle Bag is included. The printed patterns for the remaining three projects will be posted when each new project is launched.

WHEN EACH NEW PROJECT IS LAUNCHED, ALL OF THE MEMBERS WILL RECEIVE AN EMAIL FROM US TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THE DIGITAL VERSION OF THE PATTERN IS AVAILABLE, and that you can download it from your Debbie Abrahams account on our website. If you cannot find this email from us, please get in touch straight away. Often our emails end up in Spam, but sometimes the address is incorrect or we have used an alternative email address for you which you have not checked. It is very important that we have your correct email address otherwise you will miss out on all the club news and alerts, plus any other exciting things we need to tell you about throughout the year.

These are the dates of the four project launches:

  • Project 1, Majorelle Bag: Saturday 16th May
  • Project 2, Sycamore Cowl: Saturday 15th August
  • Project 3, Nordic Village Cushion: Saturday 14th November
  • Project 4, Valentine Storage Bag: Saturday 13th February

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

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

IF YOU NEED ANY HELP WITH KNITTING TECHNIQUES, THEN MY TECHNICAL VIDEOS ARE JUST A TAP AWAY VIA A LINK TO TUTORIALS AT THE TOP OF THE HOMEPAGE. This gives you access to numerous short demos showing you many different knitting techniques which are used in the projects, including:

I will advise in the blog for each of the projects which tech vids might be helpful to you.

NO ONE LIKES AN ERROR IN A PATTERN, but unfortunately some do sometimes slip through, despite our multiple pattern checks. So if an error is reported, please send an email to me (debbie@debbieabrahams.com) and I will check it and if the error is validated, I will add it to the Addendums on our website. You can access these via a link at the bottom of the homepage. It is wise to check our Addendums before you begin each project, and regularly throughout the project too to make sure that you have all the latest info on any reported corrections.

GOOD PREPARATION IS THE KEY TO SUCCESSFUL KNITTING, so here are a few suggestions of what you should do before you make a start on each project:

  • take time to read through the whole pattern to familiarise yourself with the project;
  • take a look at your yarns and beads and familiarise yourself with the colours so that you pick up and use the correct colours when instructed;
  • get your knitting needles and other accessories that you need such as a beading needle and thread, ready to use;
  • test your tension to check that the specified needle sizes are the right ones for you. You may need to change them to achieve the correct tension. 

 

If you need to change your needle size to match the tension then make sure that you make a note of what it is. Be aware that you will need to change all of the needle sizes that are used in the patterns accordingly. 

Here are some tips about how to knit a tension swatch:

  • it should be longer and wider than the stated tension, so it is advisable to cast on a minimum of 30 stitches and work a minimum of 40 rows for this tension swatch;
  • block and press the tension swatch so that the stitches are fully relaxed;
  • Use a solid ruler rather than a tape measure to measure the stitches and rows;
  • start and finish counting the stitches and rows in from all four edges, and not from edge to edge;
  • if your tension is too loose (you have fewer stitches and rows), you will need to knit the tension swatch again using smaller needles;
  • If your tension is too tight (you have more stitches and rows), you will need to knit the tension swatch again using larger needles.

SO LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE FIRST PROJECT: MAJORELLE BAG... 

Tech vids to help you with this square:

So the first thing to note is that this bag is knitted in the round, and it is imperative that you use the correct length circular needles, which are listed on page 1 of the pattern instructions - 60cm length is the maximum length. If your circular knitting needle is longer than the circumference of the stitches, you will not be able to knit in the round.

On page 2 you will find a list of Pattern notes which are worth a read before you begin. They bring your attention to important things about the project that will help you to understand the pattern better.

After the Pattern notes you will see a list of Abbreviations which are used in this pattern. 

The first instruction to knit is the Bottom Edging, which is also on page 2. It does not matter how you choose to cast on, but when you join the round have the working yarn attached to the right needle, and then, making absolutely certain that the stitches are not twisted, knit the first stitch from the left needle, pulling firmly, and if you have a tail of yarn left over from the cast on, wrap this over the working yarn to make the join more secure. I always work the first few stitches as tightly as I can, wrapping the tail of yarn (if you have one) over the working yarn for a few stitches.

You will find in your knitting kit two stitch markers which you are instructed to slide onto the knitting needle to indicate the beginning of the round and the mid-way point. Keep these on the needle and simply slip them across to the other needle when you reach them on each round.

The first batch of bead threading begins on page 2 and carries onto page 3. My tech vid for threading on beads using a fine needle and thread will help you if you do not know how to do this. The bead threading instructions are quite lengthy, so if there is someone close by who can spare a short amount of time to help you out, then ask them to read out the bead threading sequence so that you can focus on the threading. It is essential that the beads are thread on in the correct sequence otherwise the beaded pattern will not knit up correctly, which means breaking the yarn and re-threading - and you really don't want to be doing that!

You are going to work three bands of beaded knitting, all of which use the slip-stitch method. If you are not familiar with this technique then take a look at my tech vid which you will find in our Tutorials. In between the bands of beaded knitting there are some textured stitch stripes which require a smaller needle, so watch out for these needle size changes (they are in bold in the instructions).

All of the charts are worked from right to left, this is because you are knitting in the round and are always working with the right-side of the knitting facing you. Charts 1 and 2 for the beaded bands are towards the back of the pattern instructions on 7. You need to repeat the 32-stitch pattern repeat 5 times across each round, as instructed in the pattern.

The top edging is a bead and lace band using Dark Turquoise - this is the Yarnsmiths yarn in your knitting kit. You can choose to work this from either worded instructions (which begin on page 4), or from the chart ( on page 8). If you not familiar with reading lace stitches from a chart, then this is a really good opportunity to give it a go. You can double-check each row against the worded instructions until you get going, then contimue to use the chart, the worded, or both.

Just be aware that for Round 14 of this section you must work from the worded instructions rather than the chart. This is is because of the movement of the stitch marker before the double decrease (P3tog) at the beginning of Round 15.

There are ten large Cobalt beads hooked-in on Round 17, which worked after the chart has been completed. These are the much bigger beads that are packaged with your magnetic clasp and stitch markers. 

The strap is knitted as a continuation of the main body of the bag. Stitches for both sides of the strap are left on a holder between the cast-off stitches along the top edge of the bag. You can use straight needles (2.50mm) to knit the strap, you are no longer knitting in the round.

It is important that the strap is knitted as tightly as possible so that it has minimum stretch. If you think your strap is knitting up too loosely, use a smaller needle. You could always line the back of the strap too when the bag is completed. I did not line mine, but it would be a good solution if you are concerned about it stretching. When the strap is completed it is joined to the remaining 14 stitches that are on a holder by a three-needle bind-off, the instructions for which are on page 6.

There is minimal finishing to do when the knitting is completed - just the bottom edges to sew together. Before you begin, make sure that the bag is absolutely flat and sitting straight so that this seam at the bottom of the bag sits correctly. I used mattress stitch to sew the cast-on edges together. It's a horizontal seam, so you can take a look at my tech vid for this in our Tutorials if you need some guidance.

Lining fabric has been provided in your knitting kit, plus a gold magnetic clasp to complete your Majorelle Bag. I am no expert at sewing, but the very kind lady that lines all of my projects tells me that it is quite basic to do. So if you are a good sewer, this shouldn't be a problem. And if you are like me and shudder each time there is a sewing task to do, find someone who is willing to help you with this - I am sure they won't mind sharing their expertise!

And that's your first project completed, the Majorelle Bag! I hope that you enjoy knitting it up as much I enjoyed designing it for you!

WE ARE ACTIVE ON SEVERAL SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS AND THERE ARE A COUPLE OF FABULOUS HELPFUL GROUPS YOU COULD JOIN! 

You never need to feel that you are on your own when you are part of a Debbie Abrahams Club. With social media at our fingertips, we can easily make connections across the world and stay in touch with each other. So if you are not following us on these various different platforms, why not join today! Although some of these groups are set up for the Mystery Blanket, I am sure you will be welcomed with open arms if you joined them and shared your Brilliant Bead Club queries and experiences. They are all so friendly and lovely!

  • Ravelry: this social media platform is super friendly and free to join. You will find on there a group for the Mystery Blanket, with many of the members very willing to give help and advice if you have a question: Debbie Abrahams Handknits.
  • Facebook: there are two groups on Facebook, but the one to visit for Mystery Blanket help and advice is: Debbie Abrahams Mystery Knitters. The members here on this platform are also very happy to help each other and share thoughts and comments, so it's well worth joining.

These are our other social media platforms. Please follow us on as may as you can to make our Debbie Abrahams world online even bigger and better!

IF YOU LIVE IN OR CLOSE TO NOTTINGHAM, THEN JOIN US AT 'YARN LOFT' FOR REGULAR CLUB MEETINGS! Our monthly meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month at Doreen's wonderful knitting shop, Yarn Loft, in Nottingham. Pop along for a cuppa, cake and a chat with me and some of the members for a couple of hours. It's a great way to share ideas, answer your queries and crack on with your project!

We meet from 4:00pm-6:00pm at Yarn Loft which is at 118 Hucknall Road, Carrington, Nottingham NG5 1AD, tel number 07825 702433, website: www.yarnloft.co.uk. Our next meeting is on Wednesday 3rd June. There is a small sub of £3.00 to pay to Doreen on the day to cover her opening costs and refreshments. 

I hope to see some of you there!

So now you are fully prepared for your first project, it's time to get your knitting needles at the ready and make a start on your the Majorelle Bag! I hope that the information in this blog has been helpful and that you have found the answers to any questions you might have. If not then Jason, Sue and I are here to help you, so please get in touch. Wherever you are in the world, I wish you a happy few months of knitting and I can't wait to see you back here in August for the second project, Sycamore Cowl! Have a super sparkly fun time and take care, Debbie, x

 

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