FAQ

Welcome to the general FAQ’s page. This page is primarily available for queries not answered in the mystery club pages. If you have any further queries, don't hesitate to get in touch.

General FAQs

Can I buy previous mystery club patterns or kits?

Previous patterns for the Mystery Blanket Club and the Mystery Cushion Club are not available after the clubs have closed and all the memberships have sold. This means that you need to sign up when the applications are open to secure your place. This policy keeps the clubs unique and exclusive and protects the members that have signed up.

How do I keep the edges of my knitting neat and tidy?

Try knitting the first and last stitch of every row, regardless of the stitch pattern. This will create a row of garter stitch up each edge of the work and should help keep them flat and even.

What is the best way to press my knitted panels?

Use a damp finishing process which is easy and does not require an iron. Block (pin) your knitted panel out onto a suitable flat surface. Then spray it generously with cold water. Make sure that the water is distributed evenly throughout by gently patting the knitting all over. Leave the panel to dry fully before removing the pins.

Can I machine-wash knitted fabrics that are beaded?

Yes you can, as long as you turn them inside out (if possible) and put them inside a protective wash bag that can be secured.

What is the best way to sew in ends?

Use a sharp-pointed needle and sew the ends across the work (rather than down), behind the same row of colour, if possible. Take each end up through one stitch and then down through the next, repeating this about three times. Then come back on yourself by one stitch, and secure it by splitting the end you have sewn in with the needle. You can also sew some of the ends into the seams so that they are not all going across the work.

I want to knit one of the blankets in your books, but the yarn is discontinued. What can I do?

You can still knit up my blanket designs, even if the yarn specified in the pattern is discontinued. However, it is really important is that you choose a yarn that is a comparable weight to the one used in the pattern. For example, if you choose a pattern that uses a double-knitting weight yarn, then you need to make sure that the yarn that you use is also double-knitting. Then you can use the needle sizes that are stated in the pattern and the squares should knit up to the same size. If you are not sure what weight the yarn is that has been used, try looking it up on the internet and you should be able to find a reference for it.

I want to knit one of the blankets in your books, but I can’t seem to match the colours to what you have used. Can you help?

My first book, Blankets and Throws To Knit, was published over ten years ago, so some of the yarns and colours used in it are now discontinued. And even in my more recent publications, some of the colours are no longer available. So what I would suggest is that you take the pattern to a good yarn store where there is a large range of colours. And then you match the colours that I have used as closely as possible to what is available.


Mystery Club FAQs

What are the Mystery Knitting Clubs about?

The Mystery Knitting Clubs are unique projects that are split across a number of months. Both the blankets and cushions are constructed from individually knitted squares that are assembled together to create a finished block.

The mystery is that you won’t be told the theme of the project, so part of the fun is to discover this while you are knitting it up! These designs will not be published or re-produced in other form, so you will be part of a very special one-off project.

How many months will each club run for?

The Mystery Blanket Club begins on 1st February and runs for 10 months. The knitting kit is sent in two parcels: February and May.

The Mystery Cushion Club begins on 15th June and runs for 5 months. The knitting kit is sent in one parcel at the beginning of the project.

The Mystery Baby Blanket Club begins on 1st October and runs for 7 months. The knitting kit is sent in one parcel at the beginning of the project.

Patterns for the Mystery Blanket and Mystery Baby Blanket are sent monthly by email on the 1st of the month, and the Mystery Cushion patterns are sent on the 15th of the month. There is also an option to have printed paperwork which is posted to members each month and for which there is an extra cost.

How do I subscribe to a Mystery Knitting Club?

Membership is strictly on a first-come-first-served basis and there are a set number of places in the club. So once applications for the Club are open it is best to sign up as quickly as possible to avoid disappointment.

When applications are open you can purchase your membership in Debbie’s online shop and make your payment using a debit or credit card or Paypal. Then all you need to do is sit back and wait for your first package to arrive.

Can I pay in instalments?

Yes! You can pay for any of the Mystery Clubs in your choice of 2-4 instalments using our payment platform, Splitit.

Do I get a discount for being a Mystery Blanket Club member?

If you are a member of the 2024 Mystery Blanket Club you are entitled to a 10% discount off the price of the 2024 Mystery Cushion Club. Members will be given a unique code for this which will need to be added to the coupon box at checkout.

Please note that there is no discount for the Mystery Blanket Club membership for being a Mystery Cushion Club or a Mystery Baby Blanket member.

What if I don’t have an email address?

If you do not have an email address you can send an application form by post. Please make sure that you include your full address details, telephone number, your choice of package and your payment. Cheques should be made payable to Debbie Abrahams Ltd.

How will the parcels be sent to me?

Parcels are sent to UK members by Royal Mail. Overseas parcels are sent by International Tracked Delivery.

There is an option for UK customers to have Special Delivery (guaranteed next day delivery), for which there is an extra cost.

Tracked Delivery is mandatory for all overseas customers and is included in the price of the membership.

What will be included in my materials parcel?

Your parcel(s) will include enough yarn and embellishments to knit up the whole blanket or cushion. If you have any left over, it is very important that you keep it safe because you will need it for other squares later on in the project.

Can I purchase the patterns separately without a knitting kit for the 2024 Mystery Blanket Club?

For the first time we are offering the ten sets of patterns as monthly downloads enabling you to use yarns and beads from your own stash to knit the 2024 Mystery Blanket. The list of yarns and beads for the first part of the kit will not be released until a week before the project begins. If you decide to purchase the yarn and beads for the project yourself, the cost of all the materials, like for like, is approximately £340. We are unable to guarantee that all of the colours in Debbie’s Light Merino DK yarn will be available to purchase so substitutes may have to be used.

Can you give me any clues as to what the theme is going to be?

It is important that the theme of the clubs are kept a 'mystery' until you guess it yourself! However, in my promotional material for each Club I give an indication of the colour palette and a list of the yarns used in the project.

But what if I am a novice knitter? Can I still join the club and successfully complete the project?

There are two options given for the Mystery Blanket and everyone is sent the pattern instructions for both options. Most of the squares are the same for both options, but when there is a choice it is clearly stated. Option one includes textured stitches like cables and knit and purl stitch patterns, intarsia colour work, fairisle colour work, stripes and some beading. Option two includes all of the above, but any fairisle and intarsia squares are replaced by either stripes, beaded or textured designs.

There is only one option for the Mystery Cushion with no alternative squares to knit.

There are two options for the Mystery Baby Blanket Club offering a choice of two colourways, either Grey/Silver or Rose/Candy.

What if I get stuck and need some advice?

Debbie writes a monthly blog on her website for each of her Mystery clubs, where you can get lots of helpful tips about the project. And each month she includes video demos of several different techniques to help you with your squares.

You could also join the Debbie Abrahams Mystery Blanket group on Ravelry and Facebook who are always very helpful and willing to give advice on all aspects of all the Mystery clubs. If you have a query that you cannot find an answer to then you can contact Sue at sue@debbieabrahams.com and she will be able to help you.

Do I receive any other benefits from being in one of Debbie’s Mystery Clubs?

Each month there is a prize draw which all Mystery Blanket Club members are entered into, with each winner receiving a gift from the range of kits, buttons, beads and books on Debbie’s website. Each winner is notified shortly after the draw has taken place.