We are delighted to be hosting another mystery Lent Knitalong this year!

Knitters all over the world are warmly invited to join us as we knit a small blanket using daily knitting pattern instructions which are accompanied by specially written reflections. 

Details (including yarn/needle requirements, release dates and patterns for two practice swatches etc) are outlined in the Welcome letter (or download the large print Welcome letter).

To receive the pattern you are invited to  join the dedicated Facebook group community, sign up to our mailing list on our Knitalongs webpage or download it directly from this webpage:

Lent Blanket 2025 Week 1 – standard size font
Lent Blanket 2025 Week 1 – large print
Lent Blanket 2025 Week 1 – reflections only

Lent Blanket 2025 Week 2 – standard size font
Lent Blanket 2025 Week 2 – large print
Lent Blanket 2025 Week 2 – reflections only

Lent Blanket 2025 Week 3 – standard size font
Lent Blanket 2025 Week 3 – large print
Lent Blanket 2025 Week 3 – reflections only

We hope that you will join us this Lent!

Victoria Methodist Church, Bristol is excited to be hosting another Advent Mystery Knitalong this year!

Over the course of Advent participants are invited to knit a square table mat in DK weight yarn, which can be used/displayed or given as a present on Christmas Day. The exact design of the table mat is a surprise, as it’s a Mystery Knitalong, and will be revealed as you knit, but it will feature a design in lace and textured stitches…!

Knitters may prefer to work a smaller square in 4ply/fingering weight yarn which would be perfect as a Christmas dishcloth if worked in a cotton yarn. The pattern is worked the same, regardless of yarn weight.

The Knitalong will follow the format of previous Advent/Lent Knitalongs: the pattern will be laid out across 24 days (1st – 24th December) and each daily chunk of knitting will be accompanied by a Bible verse for reflection as you knit.

What you will need to take part

To take part, you’ll need approximately 40 – 60 grams (90 – 160 metres) of DK yarn in a solid (Christmassy?!) colour and 4mm needles – these should ideally be 20 – 30 cm in length, or knitters may choose to use a circular needle.

Knitters who choose to work the square in 4ply/fingering weight yarn will need approximately 30 – 45 grams (100 – 160 metres) of yarn and 3.5mm or 3.75mm needles.

The pattern requires knitters to cast on and off, work the basic knit and purl stitches, and some simple lace stitches: K2tog, SSK, YO and CDD – these will be explained in the pattern (and there is always help available in the Facebook group – see below – if these are new to you!). The knitting should take an average knitter 10 – 15 minutes each day.

Accessing the Pattern and Reflections

The pattern/verses will be released as one document (with a large print option) on Thursday 28th November, ready for the knitting to start on Sunday 1st December, and you can receive this document in a variety of ways:

• You can download the document here: Advent Knitalong 2024 Pattern and Reflections, Advent Knitalong 2024 Pattern and Reflections in Large Print or Advent Knitalong 2024 Reflections only.
• Knitters on the Victoria Methodist Knitalongs mailing have automatically received it by email. (To sign up to the mailing list for future knitalongs, please sign up online at https://www.vic-methodist-bristol.org.uk/knitalongs/ or contact Vicky at .)
• The document has been uploaded in the dedicated Facebook group, ‘Victoria Methodist Bristol Knitalongs‘ which you would be very welcome to join, if you’re not already a member! It is a lovely community of knitters from all over the world, and there will be threads to share photos of your knitting progress, chat about the knitting and share thoughts on the reflections.
• Finally, users of Ravelry can access the document there, as well as add project pages and keep track of progress there:
  https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/advent-knitalong-2024

We hope that you’ll join us!

We’re excited to be hosting another mystery knitalong this Lent!

This year we will be knitting a prayer shawl (or blanket) over the course of Lent: the exact design of the shawl is a mystery, and will be revealed as knitters progress through the project!

We will cast on together on Ash Wednesday (14th February) and knitters will have their shawl finished in time for Easter day on the 31st March.

Knitters will receive daily knitting instructions by email each week; these will be accompanied by daily reflections/meditations which have kindly been written by eight different Ministers and worship leaders from the Bristol & South Gloucestershire circuit and beyond.

You can now download the Welcome letter (or the Welcome letter in large font), which includes general information (such as yarn/needles needed etc) and the pattern for a practice swatch. The weekly emails will go out from the beginning of Lent.

The pattern has been designed to be accessible to knitters of all abilities: if you can cast on and off, and can work the basic knit and purl stitches you should be able to join in! Less confident/experienced knitters may like to take a look at our accompanying video which explains the cast on and talks through some of the other features of the knitting.

If you’re not already on the mailing list you can sign up on our Knitalongs webpage.

Facebook users would also be very welcome to join the group Victoria Methodist Bristol Knitalongs, where a lovely community of knitters across the world share progress, ask questions and chat about the reflections (and all pattern/reflection documents will be posted on there too).

The pattern and reflections are also available from the Ravelry Crafting website.

Download the Pattern and Reflections:
Week 1 Pattern and Reflections
Week 1 Pattern and Reflections in Large Print
Week 1 Reflections only

Week 2 Pattern and Reflections
Week 2 Pattern and Reflections in Large Print
Week 2 Reflections only

Week 3 Pattern and Reflections
Week 3 Pattern and Reflections in Large Print
Week 3 Reflections only