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.
Sara Kovach says
Just ordered my yarn – Scheepjeswol Stonewashed XL. I got some of each color so I would have a variety. I am so looking forward to this afghan. I think I will actually keep this one for myself for a change!!!!!! I am also going to do a second one in Red Heart Super Saver yarn – because the other will take some time to arrive. And —- it never hurts to have a second afghan in the works.
Dedri Uys says
Sara, I will have 3 on the go at the same time, so I agree with you. It never hurts to have a second one in the works (or even a third)! I am glad you are joining the CAL,
Dedri
Patty says
I am very excited to join the CAL. I have ordered my yarn from Knit Picks here in the US in comparable colors. I just received them and they look great together. I will be making the small baby blanket. Looking forward to seeing everyone’s projects!
Dedri Uys says
That is great to hear, Patty. Do you mind sharing which yarn you are going to use?
Rini Goh says
Hi Dedri,
I am so much interested to join this CAL.
How can I join it? I have request join on facebook group.
I live in Indonesia, may I substitute the yarn to cotton yarn?
Hope I can be granted to join this CAL
Thank you
Rini
Dedri Uys says
Rini, hi
You don’t need to do anything to join. The pattern will be posted in weekly snippets here on my blog and you can use any yarn you fancy. I just listed the ones I am going to use because I know there are people who will want to know beforehand which colours/yarn I will be using.
Dedri
Rini Goh says
Hi Dedri,
Thank you for your reply, I am so excited waiting it to start.
Alexandra says
I am quite excited! Might I add, how organized and thorough this post is.
Dedri Uys says
Thank you!
Sharyn says
I’m in! Yarn is ordered and I’m ready when you are.
I have an event coming in June and I am dedicating this blanket to that event. When the blanket (or CAL) is done, then it’s time for the event!
Dedri Uys says
What is the event? Is it something cool?
Carol D says
Not sure what the size difference will make if I use what I already have on hand….Bought Stylecraft Special DK yarn – and can’t afford to buy more til I can pay off bills from Christmas (eek!)
I think I may try and see how it goes….but am curious about your thoughts on this. Colors are so beautiful and yarn feels wonderful!
Now that Christmas is over and all those lovely crochet gifts are in their new homes, I think I’ll concentrate on some things I want to make for a bit…
How do I sign up for this CAL and am concerned if I’m unable to keep up or continue…at my age, can’t see too far into the future…Recent (Christmas) birthday has suddenly made me feel older…gotta work on that!
Blessings to you and yours…………
Penny says
Hi Dedri;
this will be my first CAL, i have successfully made the medium sized Sophies Mandala in cotton and am confident that I can do the whole thing thanks to your clear photos and tutorials. If the rest of the pattern for Sophies Universe is as clearly and easily understood as your other patterns have all been I know I will have no trouble with the entire blanket. Everytime I visit my grandson and turn on my laptop he always gets excited and says “thats my dinosaur on grannies puter!!!” then he runs to get the Dexter Dinosaur I made for him from your pattern book to show me that it is his dinosaur. Glad to see my first amigurumi made from your pattern is still his favourite toy :D
Cant wait for next weekend to start the CAL…..
Dedri Uys says
Penny, I don’t know if you got my email.
I am so pleased to hear that he likes his Dexty still. I hope you do try Sophie’s Universe :)
Dedri
Earen says
I am a long time knitter, but new to crochet and am curious if this will be too challenging for a newbie? I am slowly figuring out the stitch terminology to what that means in practice.
I recently discovered your blog and your beautiful projects. Your color selections on all your projects are gorgeous!
Cheers!
Dedri Uys says
Hi Earen. I am so pleased that you are trying your hand at crochet. The pattern is very clearly illustrated and if you can make single crochets, half-double crochets, double crochets, and treble crochets, you will be able to do this. Why don’t you try making a small “Sophie’s Mandala”. If you can manage that, you’ll be able to manage the rest.
Earen says
I can definitely manage those crochet stitches. I will follow your advice to crochet Sophie’s Mandala first and then look into joining the CAL. Thanks again for your inspiring blog.
Carol D says
Earen, you have come to the right place to learn and expand your crochet ability!
the Sophie’s Mandala had me “hooked” and I couldn’t resist going on to turn it into the square per Dedri’s tutorials! I have so been able to take on more complex patterns after crocheting ‘along’ with Dedri’s tutorials! She is one of the BEST !
Claire says
Hi, I would love to make the big blanket for my first CAL, however the total price is a lot. Can I just order a fraction of the yarn as I go along? How much would you recommend to start? I am going to follow your colours.
Thank you
Dedri Uys says
Claire, I understand about it being pricey, and yes you can, but the yarn is selling out again, so you will need to decide soon. They will have another supply coming in at the beginning of February, though. Why don’t you make the dk version instead and then just grow it with the rounds I will suggest for making a larger blanket?
Sherrie says
I’m very excited about getting started! This will be my first CAL and I’m really excited that it is worked in one piece. I usually don’t do these when they are in blocks. I’d just end up with a bunch of squares that never get joined ;)
Thank you for all your hard work in doing this!
Dedri Uys says
You are most welcome, Sherrie
Carla says
Have just ordered my wool for the CAL. I’m going for 4Ply to do the baby blanket. I have chosen 4 colours. I worked out from the yardage I’d need approx 6 balls so I have got two balls of the two colours I want to be predominant and one ball of the other two colours. Do you think this will work? I have a new baby niece due to arrive in April so thought this would be nice to do for that.
Carla says
I’m not using the same wool as you are though Dedri, just incase I confuse any one with number of balls.
Dedri Uys says
That sounds good to me, Carla.
Sylvia Lau-McDonald says
I’m looking forward to participating. This is my first time and I’m really excited, would love to have a hint of the finished product :) Just a heads-up for those wanting to order the XL from Deramores — because it is billed from the UK, for those living in the US your fraud protection may go into overdrive and the card at first declined. Also, all the XL yarns are out of stock and will be back ordered. Happy stitching everyone!
Dedri Uys says
Hi Sylvia. There will be hints along the way, but not just yet…if you are hesitant, you can always hang back a few weeks and see what develops :)
Sylvia Lau-McDonald says
Oh no, I’ve jumped in both feet first. Yarn’s ordered, am just very curious :)
Debbie Dixon says
The number of balls you’ve listed for the DK and 4ply versions contain more yardage than you listed. Is this because you haven’t used full balls or because you used more than you originally thought?
Dedri Uys says
Debbie, you won’t be using every scrap of every ball, which is why the total comes to more than my estimate. If you are only buying one colour, by all means only buy the required amount. Just keep in mind that gauge can vary significantly from person to person, so it is always better to buy more rather than less.
F says
Very excited about this… What to end up with one blanket ~ 1×2, and want to go cotton 8. What do you think will work better using your additions or making two blankets to join?
Dedri Uys says
That would depend very much on you, I’m afraid. I am trying to envision the two options, but am finding it hard to imagine. I would personally go for additions.
Mel Brain says
Just placed my order and going to make this my 2015 project. All on back order though so hope I don’t fall behind before I even start! Not done a CAL before and looking forward to it.
Dedri Uys says
They have already informed me that my yarn is on it’s way (after only 10 days) and it was supposed to take 2 – 3 weeks, so here’s hoping!
Joy Costello says
Would this look ok in just one colour? I want to make this for a dear friend who is colour blind so I am very restricted
Dedri Uys says
Joy, this blanket has tons of surface texture. I believe it would look great in just one colour. My friend Jennybugs will be doing hers all in one colour.
Joy Costello says
Thank You Will buy my yarn on Monday Can’t wait Never did a CAL before. Lovely feeling to be part of a community :) :)
Stephanie says
I am so excited to participate in this CAL. And I am going for the large blanket!
From what I could look up I think Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice yarn is Worsted Weight #4, with 170 yards (156 meters) per skein (solid color). That means 1 Vanna’s for every 2 Scheepjeswol Stonewashed XL. – – – Hope that helps people!
I figure extra of each color can be used for those extra rows to enlarge, or maybe some matching pillow covers! Yay!
Dedri Uys says
Just so! Thank you for supplying the Vanna’s Choice details x
EllyD says
Feeling excited…. calendar is marked and yarn ordered. Huge THANK YOU to you and Kimberly!
Dedri Uys says
You are most welcome :)
Jennifer Reeves says
Is there any hint you can give as to what it will look like? Are we talking flowery? (I’m trying to decide how to buy yarn. I tend to like fewer colors. Would you say there’s a minimum number of colors? Is it designers to have a “main” color?
Dedri Uys says
Jennifer, it is quite flowery in places, and subdued in others. I do not think that less colours would detract from the design at all. Anything you can envision yourself using for Sophie’s Garden will work for Sophie’s Universe. There really is no “best” number of colours. I am reigning myself in by just using 10/11. Some people are only going to use one or two.
Jeanne says
I can’t wait to see this! Not sure if I’ll play along or not, but those colors are very pretty!