Hi guys!
You might have noticed that I have been missing in action the last three weeks. I have not abandoned crochet. In fact, I have been doing nothing but crocheting. Well, as much as my “real life” will allow me to, at any rate.
Those of you who followed the Block a Week CAL 2014 will know that the CAL (crochet-along) was hosted by the Official CCC Social Group on Facebook (you have to be logged into Facebook in order to access the link to the group). The mastermind behind the CAL was my good friend Kimberly Slifer. In 2015 I will be teaming up with Kimberly again for another fun, mystery CAL.
Those of you who follow me on social media (or who belong to the Official CCC Social Group already) will have seen a few hints regarding what the blanket will look like and which design it is based on. Please do not assume anything. I know it is tempting to get started, but I suggest that you wait until the CAL actually starts.
Sophie’s Universe CAL 2015
Update: You can now find all the information and links for the CAL HERE. We have translations, videos, groups, and a map!
The CAL will start January 18th 2015, and will run for 20 weeks. Remember to mark the date on your calendar!
Please note that this project is a continuous, square blanket, which has been specifically designed for this CAL, not a lot of individual squares like the last one. It will be worked in the round, with photo tutorials for each part being released weekly on a Sunday.
All instructions will be written using US Terminology. See THIS CHART if you need help with US/UK conversion.
Size
The pattern was designed for worsted weight yarn and a 5.5 mm crochet hook (US I/9 UK 5), which will give you a finished size of 1.8 meters squared. That’s just shy of 6 feet, for those of you who live on the other side of the pond.
You are not, however, limited to worsted weight yarn. I will be using Scheepjeswol for the CAL and I will be making 3 blankets, each in a different yarn weight (and therefore a different size). You can find more details about that below.
“But it’s Square!”
If you don’t like the idea of a square blanket, don’t fret. We will be supplying optional extra squares for those of you who wish to make the blanket rectangular. On top of that I will do a post that will give you the tools to “grow” your blanket yourself, should you wish to make it even bigger.
Yarns, Colours, and Yardages
Below you will find the size and total yardage details for the 3 different yarn weights (or sizes), as well as a list of the colours I intend to use for each one. Which colours and how many colours you choose to use is totally up to you.
A – Worsted Weight Yarn (Large Blanket)
This will be a nice big blanket. Not as big as a queen size bed, but certainly big enough to cover me from my head to my toes. I will be using 10 colours for this version and it will be the most subdued of the three.
Please Note: There are 2 weights of Stonewashed. I am using the Stonewashed XL, not the regular Stonewashed!
Yarn: Scheepjeswol Stonewashed XL
Yarn Weight: Worsted Weight (#4)
Hook Size: 5.5 mm hook (US I/9 UK 5) – I use, and LOVE, Clover Amour Crochet Hooks
Yardage: 3900 meters (4265 yards)
Finished Size: 1.8 meters x 1.8 meters (6′ x 6′)
Colours: Moon Stone (841), Amazonite (853), Green Agate (855), Blue Apatite (845), Canada Jade (846), Lemon Quartz (852), Deep Amethyst (851), Garnet (850), Corundum Ruby (848), Coral (856). (See below for amounts)
B – Double Knit Yarn (Lapghan)
This will yield a lovely lapghan-sized blanket. I am using 11 shades for this one and it will be quite the colour explosion!
Yarn: Scheepjeswol Softfun
Yarn Weight: Double knit (#3)
Hook Size: 4 mm hook (US G/6 UK 8) – I use, and LOVE, Clover Amour Crochet Hooks
Yardage: 3300 meters (approx. 3600 yards)
Finished Size: 1.4 meters x 1.4 meters (4’7 x 4’7)
Colours: Canary (2518), Light Rose (2513), Rose (2514), Bordeaux (2492), Cyclamen (2534), Olive (2531), Dark Turquoise (2511), Light Blue (2432), Pink (2480), Heath (2493), Violet (2519). (See below for amounts)
C – 4 Ply Yarn (Baby Blanket)
This is the perfect size for a baby blanket. I will be using 11 glorious shades for this small version.
Yarn: Scheepjeswol Cotton 8
Yarn Weight: 4 Ply (#2)
Hook Size: 3 mm hook (UK 11) or 3.25 (US D/3 UK 10) – I use, and LOVE, Clover Amour Crochet Hooks
Yardage: 2500 meters (approx. 2730 yards)
Finished Size: 1.0 meters x 1.0 meters (3’3 x 3’3)
Colours: Canary (714), Light Pink (718), Fuchsia (720), Dark Pink (719), Moors (726), Light Green (642), Turquoise (712), Light Turquoise (622), Violet (529), Heath (721), Light Purple (651). (See below for amounts)
Update: I have had quite a few questions about how many skeins/balls of each colour I will be using. Please note that I have not made all 3 blankets yet, so these predictions are only that: predictions! Nevertheless, you will probably find it useful to know which colours I intend to use more than others, so here goes:
A – Scheepjeswol Stonewashed XL
- 23 x Moon Stone (841) – This is not a typo!
- 3 x Amazonite (853)
- 3 x Green Agate (855)
- 3 x Blue Apatite (845)
- 6 x Canada Jade (846)
- 3 x Lemon Quartz (852)
- 3 x Deep Amethyst (851)
- 3 x Garnet (850)
- 3 x Corundum Ruby (848)
- 3 x Coral (856)
B – Scheepjeswol Softfun
- 2 x Canary (2518)
- 2 x Light Rose (2513)
- 3 x Rose (2514)
- 2 x Bordeaux (2492)
- 3 x Cyclamen (2534)
- 3 x Olive (2531)
- 1 x Dark Turquoise (2511)
- 6 x Light Blue (2432)
- 2 x Pink (2480)
- 2 x Heath (2493)
- 2 x Violet (2519)
C – Scheepjeswol Cotton 8
- 1 x Canary (714)
- 1 x Light Pink (718)
- 2 x Fuchsia (720)
- 1 x Dark Pink (719)
- 2 x Moors (726)
- 2 x Light Green (642)
- 1 x Turquoise (712)
- 5 x Light Turquoise (622)
- 1 x Violet (529)
- 1 x Heath (721)
- 1 x Light Purple (651)
I am very excited about this project and cannot wait for the CAL to start. Are you in?
This blog post contains affiliate links. I only link to products I personally use or would use. All opinions are my own.
lorraine says
Hi,
I am joining a bit late, I would love to crochet this in Stylecraft, I have been looking for a conversion I thought I may have seen in, do you have one or was I dreaming.
Thanks so much
x
Jenny says
I am using Stylecraft DK and bought 15 balls to start off and will add more if needed. I am doing it in Lime :)
Janet says
I wanted the same thing, Lorraine… I don’t know if you have found it by now or not, but I found this:
https://lookatwhatimade.net/crafts/yarn/crochet/colour-list-sophies-garden/?utm_content=bufferc2033&utm_medium=social&utm_source=plus.google.com&utm_campaign=buffer
Hope it helps! xxxx
Yaya says
Dear Dedri,
I am unable to collect more than 10 colors yarn i want (using same brand.) I really want to joined the CAL this time. Do you recommend using only one color yarn and I can still make a beautify blanket?
Thanks
Dedri Uys says
Yaya, I have seen many beautiful examples made in only one colour. Lighter colours work better to show off the stitch detail.
silvia says
Hi,
did the cal start on sunday 18th? I’m starting just now, where can I read the first email?
Thank you :)
Dedri Uys says
Hi Silvia. You can find all the information and links HERE.
Kathy says
Hello:
I love your blog and I follow it as well as use the tutorials. I do have a question about the current CAL we are all working on. “Sophie’s Universe”. I want my blankets to be rectangular instead of square. I don’t want to wait till it is huge to go from square to rectangle. I would like to start it early on after the square has begun while it’s still small sized. Can you also give advice on how to do the increase on two sides early on after the square has been started? i THINK it will look nicer to get it started early on then to wait till it’s huge and then do it. It won’t show as much with the change over as it would if I waited till it was very large. I will understand if you don’t have advice to give as well. I would figure it out. I just wanted to make sure that whatever each wrong is, it won’t be effected to much by my making the increase after the square has become established.
Bonnie Bazensky says
Hi Dedri,
I am new at doing a CAL or any extensive crocheting and I am so excited about doing it. I would like to know what the ounces in US would be for the yarn that is 50g. I am using Caron Simply Soft which is 6 oz except for the main color which is 4oz. I can’t figure out how many skeins of each color I will need.
Thanks.
Dedri Uys says
Hi Bonnie. The best measure of how much you will need is not weight, but length. You will find a list of the meters/yards needed for each yarn weight HERE. Then you need to figure out how many meters/yards are in a single skein of your chosen yarn. And THEN you need to divide the total yardage by your yardage per skein, which will give you total number of skeins. Please keep in mind that you won’t be using every scrap of every colour, so you will need to buy more yarn than the predicted amount.
I hope that helps some.
Bonnie Bazensky says
Thank you Dedri. That was a help. I will be starting tonight and am very excited to do so. You have created a very comfortable site for friends and help.
Brittany says
I just found this post today and I’m super excited to join in! Now I just have to decide on colors and buy my yarn before Sunday.
Dedri Uys says
Brittany, I love your blog name. Welcome aboard and I hope you enjoy it!
Brittany says
Thank you! Is it okay if I blog about this CAL? I will definitely include links back to this post. Is there anywhere else I need to link to?
Dedri Uys says
Hi again Brittany. You will find all the links and relevant information HERE.
Pat says
Hi Dedri,
I ordered my yarn but made a mistake and got the stone wash but not the xl. Can you tell me what the difference is between these 2.
Thanks!
Dedri Uys says
Hi Pat. You can always cancel the order if it hasn’t been shipped yet! The normal stonewashed is 4-ply (#2) yarn, which is roughly half the thickness of double knit or light worsted weight. It requires a 3 mm hook and will work up to the same size as the small (Cotton 8) blanket.
Libby cable says
I’m such a silly moo and have only just ordered my scheepjeswol wool from demores but there’s a 14 day delay and the CAL starts in 3 days!!!! Will I be able to catch up dedri? How frustrating but I love the wool so worth waiting for x
Dedri Uys says
Libby, you will be able to catch up. You can actually do the first 3 weeks in one week. We just wanted to give everyone plenty of time to get accustomed to each other and the CAL. I hope your yarn arrives soon! Mine arrived in less than 14 days…all except 1 colour.
Jeanne says
Oh that’s GREAT NEWS! I am in the same boat….just been way too busy to get my colors in order. I’m relieved now! Thanks for asking that question, Libby. : )
Maryke Etsebeth says
Hi, Dedri!
I’m jumping in and joining, super-excited!
I bought local courtelle yarn because the colours are beautiful and the local cotton is both pricey and unreliable – not sure I’ll be able to get the same colour if I run out later on. I’m a bit nervous though: using the colours of the lapghan, but I bought four-ply and want to use it double to make the large version – won’t it be too bright & busy for such a large project? What the hey, we could use more colour in our lives! And I think it is a major plus that there won’t need to join blocks!
Thank you, it’s going to be awesome!
Maryke
Dedri Uys says
Maryke, it is quite bright, but a pop of colour is just what the doc ordered!
Shelley W says
I am in, bought my yarn today! And I am super excited, it’s a new yarn for me… Perfection by Kraemer Yarns 30% domestic Merino and 70% acrylic… It is beautiful! Gorgeous colors! I just can’t wait for the pattern!
Tonya says
Hi, there are many queries and replies about yarn etc but I couldn’t see any discussion of how much crocheting time this may take each week is, would it be similar to a block a week as in your CAL last year? I’m trying to work out if I cam commit, your ideas sound great. Tx
Dedri Uys says
Hi Tonya. That is a very good question!
Most of the weeks will take twice as long as the squares from last week’s CAL. Some are more labour-intensive than others, but we have broken the pattern up into quite manageable chunks. To start with you will have between 9 and 15 rounds per week. That soon drops down to 5 – 8. The further we get, the less rounds per week.
tess says
I so want to commit, but have a hard time… if I get started a bit late, I’ll do my best to keep up… I LOVE YOUR YARN!!! I haven’t priced yet, but am willing to splurge!! :)
~Tess
tess says
I just ordered for the 6′ square afghan… will we all be doing all 3?
Dedri Uys says
Excellent, Tess. You can do as many or as few blankets as you like. I would suggest doing only 1 :)
cookielu1999 says
I’m in the US and just wanted to share that I have bought yarn from Dearamores UK several times. They are really great. And I am, like, just SO, SO impressed at how fast my order arrives! I actually got my yarn from the UK faster than my online kitty prescriptions from Illinois (I’m in CA). There has never been a problem with my orders.
Dedri Uys says
That is so good to hear. I have had very few hiccups and when they occurred they were due to the post-office, not Deramores.
Bubby Modes says
I would love to do the 2015 CAL my question is: I would love to use Lily Sugar ‘n Cream which is a worsted weight cotton. Do you think that is OK. Or should I just use 100% acrylic. I have both at home with many colors. What do you thinks. And Thanks for the Cal
Dedri Uys says
Bubby, that depends on you. I like heavy blankets, but you might not. Using a worsted weight cotton will make for quite a weighty blanket. I am using a cotton-acrylic mix which will be quite heavy already.
Catherine says
Ooops! I have just spent a fortune on yarn for this. I best get some WIPs finished whilst I wait for it to arrive and the CAL to start. Am so excited – I’ve gone with the same colours as you and can’t wait to get started. Thank you!
Dedri Uys says
Great! Well…not about the fortune bit, but about joining the CAL. I think I might be all crocheted-out preparing for it.
Cay Stamps says
Greetings! I am going to (gulp) order Stylecraft DK for my Sophie’s Universe CAL…I have read all the comments thus far, and perused the CCC FB page, but as I am ordering yarn from across the world, I just want to make sure:
If I match the total yards/metres of your Sheepjeswol list with the same total yardage of Stylecraft DK, I should end up with the approximately 6ftX6ft square blanket? Is this correct?
Dedri Uys says
Cay, hi.
If you use 1 strand of Stylecraft Spcial dk yarn and a 4 mm hook, your blanket will come out about 1.4m x 1.4m, which is the size of the “Softfun” dk I will be using. If you use 2 strands of Stylecraft Special dk and a 5.5 mm hook, your blanket will come out 1.8 x 1.8 meters, but you will need double the yardage listed for the ww (stonewashed xl) version I will be making (because you are using 2 strands instead of 1).
I hope that helps,
Dedri
Sandy Louise says
I am so excited and anxious to get started on this, my first, crochet along. I planed on making my daughter a queen size blanket and had bought yarn for that saw this and decided to do this instead and believe that that worsted wight yarn will work fine. I may just have to follow the “grow it” instructions at the end. I tried posting yesterday, but I don’t think it showed up. If both show up please excuse my social network ignorance :-)
Dedri Uys says
No worries. The worsted weight option should work if you “grow” it. Additional instructions will be supplied for growing it length-wise as well as all around.
D