The Mystery Blanket Club has been a runaway success across the world, and now Debbie Abrahams has launched the Bead Club, featuring some gorgeous designs from well-known designers all knit using beads.  We took a little time to talk to Debbie about the club and why she thinks knitters like to be a part of something big.

Explain to us what the Bead Club is? The Bead Club is a unique idea that enables knitters to sample a selection of Debbie Abrahams Beads through a collection of exclusive knitting projects. Five Rowan designers have been commissioned to create accessory designs that use Rowan yarns and Debbie Abrahams Beads. Members receive six patterns over the course of a year, sent bi-monthly by post together with the beads needed for each project. And as so many knitters have such large stashes of yarn we decided to not include yarn in the package, so knitters use whatever they have in their stash to knit up the patterns. Each pattern states which Rowan yarn the designer has used and then it is up to the knitter to choose the same yarn or an equivalent weight for their project.

Why do you think it's a success? It has been a success because members can enjoy having access to an exclusive collection of patterns that they cannot purchase anywhere else. And after the Club has closed the patterns are archived so this makes them even more desirable to have. Also it is encouraging knitters to use up yarns that they have already purchased, which means that new projects can be knitted throughout the year for very little outlay. The cost of the Club for UK members is 75 which works out to 12.50 every other month, and each instalment includes an average of three packs of size 6 beads, a unique knitting pattern and shipping costs.

Why do you knitters like being part of a club like yours? Knitting is an isolated craft for many people, so being in a Club makes knitters feel as if they are part of a community. On-line forums and knitting groups have been set up as a result of the Club which has put knitters in touch with each other all over the globe. This year Alison Crowther-Smith has organised a workshop for Bead Club members which means that they will be able to get together and learn the techniques to knit her beautiful Kidsilk Haze shawl (which is the pattern for June).

What are the perks of joining? Exclusive bi-monthly patterns from top Rowan designers that are unique to the Bead Club. And a chance to sample a variety of the beads in the Debbie Abrahams collection, sent direct to your doorstep through the post. Members can join the Club at any time during the year and will receive all the backdated patterns for the year that they have signed up to. The Club runs from February to December.

How did you pick the designers who have created accessories for the club? We looked at the designers that are at the forefront of handknit design and approached them about a pattern for the Club. All of the designers are published authors and have a huge following. It was also important to make sure that there was a variety of styles in the Club so that there is "something for everyone." And all of the designers that have done a design for the Bead Club have their own very strong individual style. This year we have contributions from these designers: Debbie Abrahams (February, Beaded Bag), Jane Crowfoot (April, Tablet Cover), Alison Crowther-Smith (June, Summer Shawl), Sarah Hatton (August, Beaded Hat), Debbie Abrahams (October, Beaded Scarf) and Sarah Hazell (December, Christmas Stocking).

You can book your place in the Bead Club here.  If you want to know how to add beading to your knitting, check out our step-by-step tutorial here.