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Sophie's Universe CAL 2015

Sophie’s Universe CAL 2015

Hello and Welcome to the Sophie’s Universe CAL 2015.

If you are new to this journey:  Welcome!  I hope that you will enjoy making this blanket with us.  May you learn lots of new stitches and make many, many good friends along the way!

Sophie's Universe CAL 2015 Lookatwhatimade

Sophie’s Universe: Small Cotton 8 Version

Sophie’s Universe CAL 2015

The CAL started on the 18th of January 2015 and ran for 20 weeks.  This pattern has proven to be extremely popular, with over 7000 projects on Ravelry.  Seven years later, the majority of my online engagement with fellow crocheters still centers around Sophie.

Followed by thousands of people, ranging from complete beginners to experienced crocheters, Sophie’s Universe is a crash course in crochet and a wonderful adventure!  Above all, my goal with this pattern has always been to show people that every stitch is ‘just a stitch’ and to help them learn the skills that will allow them to approach any complex pattern with confidence.

Sophie's Universe CAL 2015 Lookatwhatimade

Sophie’s Universe: Medium Softfun Version

Two warnings, though:

  • Pets LOVE Sophie, so prepare to be ambushed!
  • Partners and spouses are not immune to her either, often helping to choose colours or checking up on progress (and very occasionally starting one too – like my husband).

Even though the crochet-along has finished, the instructions will remain available on this website (for free) indefinitely.  Sophie’s Universe is now also available as a 216-page step-by-step crochet book.

Sophie's Universe Book Dedri Uys Scheepjes  

Index

  • Resources
  • Translations
  • Difficulty
  • Gauge
  • Size and Materials (Includes Available Colour Packs)
  • Sophie’s Universe Timeline (With links to all the relevant tutorials)
  • Helpful Templates
  • Important Tips
  • Blocking
  • Examples of Sophie
  • Sophie-related Patterns
  • More Colourways

Resources

  • Photo Tutorials:  You can find the links to all the weekly photo tutorials under Timeline below.
  • Video Tutorials:  Esther Dijkstra from It’s All in a Nutshell has made step-by-step video tutorials for each part of Sophie’s Universe.  If you struggle with any aspect of the pattern, I strongly suggest having a look at the video for the relevant part as they are extremely detailed and helpful.
  • Printing/PDF:  There is a Print-friendly button in the bottom right-hand corner after every post.  Please use this print-friendly button to print/save the tutorials.  
  • Book:  Sophie’s Universe is now also available as a 216-page step-by-step book.  Read more about the Sophie’s Universe Book and where to find it.
  • Facebook:  You can share your journey on the Official CCC Social Group if you would like to be a part of the friendly, supportive community while you work through the tutorials.
  • Ravelry:  Add the CAL to your Ravelry Queue
  • Instagram:  If you are on Instagram, you can find me as Barbertondaisy.  Please add your photos using #sophiesuniversecal2015 so that we can all Oooh! and Aaah!
Sophie's Universe CAL 2015 Lookatwhatimade

Sophie’s Universe: Large Stonewashed XL Version

Translations

Difficulty

Intermediate.  Although this is an Advanced pattern, it has been written specifically for adventurous beginners.

Gauge

The best way to check your gauge is to work up Part 1 of Sophie’s Universe.

  Large Medium Small
At the end of Part 1: 18 cm  (7″) 14 cm  (5.5″) 10 cm (4″)
The measurements you get at the end of Part 1 (in other words, at the end of Round 8) will be roughly a tenth of the predicted final size of your blanket.

Size and Materials

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 Scheepjes 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.

Sophie's Universe CAL 2015 Lookatwhatimade

Please note that the table below does not include the yarn needed for the Optional Squares and Border.  You will find the yardages for that under Helpful Templates below.

  Large Medium Small
Finished Size: 1.8 m x 1.8 m  (6′ x 6′) 1.4 m x 1.4 m  (4’7 x 4’7) 1 m x 1 m  (3’3 x 3’3)
Yarn Weight:  Worsted Weight (#4) Double knit (#3) 4 Ply (#2)
Hook Size*:
  • 5 mm hook (US H/8 UK 6)
  • 5.5 mm hook  (US I/9  UK 5)
  • 3.5 mm hook (US E/4  UK 9)
  • 4 mm hook  (US G/6  UK 8)
  • 2.5 mm hook (UK 12) or 2.75 mm hook (US C/2)
  • 3 mm hook  (UK 11) OR 3.25  (US  D/3  UK 10)
Yardage: 3900 meters (4265 yards) 3400 meters (3720 yards) 2500 meters (2730 yards)
I am using: Scheepjeswol Stonewashed XL Scheepjeswol Softfun Scheepjeswol Cotton 8
  Sophie's Universe CAL 2015 Lookatwhatimade Sophie's Universe CAL 2015 Lookatwhatimade Sophie's Universe CAL 2015 Lookatwhatimade
Colours: 23 x Moon Stone (841) 2 x Canary (2518) 1 x Canary (714)
  3 x Amazonite (853) 2 x Light Rose (2513) 1 x Light Pink (718)
  3 x Green Agate (855) 3 x Rose (2514) 2 x Fuchsia (720)
  3 x Blue Apatite (845) 2 x Bordeaux (2492) 1 x Pink (719)
  6 x Canada Jade (846) 3 x Cyclamen (2534) 2 x Moors (726)
  3 x Lemon Quartz (852) 3 x Olive (2531) 2 x Light Green (642)
  3 x Deep Amethyst (851) 1 x Dark Turquoise (2511) 1 x Turquoise (712)
  3 x Garnet (850) 6 x Light Blue (2432) 5 x Light Turquoise (622)
  3 x Corundum Ruby (848) 2 x Pink (2480) 1 x Violet (529)
  3 x Coral (856) 2 x Heath (2493) 1 x Heath (721)
    2 x Violet (2519) 1 x Light Purple (651)
* There are 2 hook sizes listed for each size.  Please see Important Tips before you start.

Official Colour Packs for Sophie’s Universe CAL 2015

Colour Packs for Sophie’s Universe are available from my Wool Warehouse Shop.  Please note that these packs contain enough yarn to complete Sophie’s Universe (without the optional squares and border) if your tension matches mine.  If you are a ‘loose crocheter’, please see the Helpful Templates below to figure out how much more yarn you will need.

Sophie’s Universe Timeline

Please do not copy, reproduce, or distribute this pattern in part or as a whole.  This pattern belongs to me and I retain all rights to it.  Copyright is protected by Scheepjes.  Please see my Terms of Use if you would like to read more.

Week 1: 18 January 2015 Part 1:  Rounds 1 – 8
    Part 2:  Rounds 9 – 15
Week 2: 25 January 2015 Part 3:  Rounds 16 – 25
Week 3: 01 February 2015 Part 4:  Rounds 26 to 36
Week 4: 08 February 2015 Part 5:  Rounds 37 – 45
Week 5: 15 February 2015 Part 6:  Rounds 46 – 53
Week 6: 22 February 2015 Part 7:  Rounds 54 – 61
Week 7: 01 March 2015 Part 8:  Rounds 62 – 68
Week 8: 08 March 2015 Part 9:  Rounds 69 – 74
Week 9: 15 March 2015 Part 10:  Rounds 75 – 80
Week 10: 22 March 2015 Part 11:  Rounds 81 – 84
Week 11: 29 March 2015 Part 12:  Rounds 85 – 88
Week 12: 05 April 2015 Part 13:  Rounds 89 – 92
Week 13: 12 April 2015 Part 14:  Rounds 93 – 97
Week 14: 19 April 2015 Part 15:  Rounds 98 – 101
Week 15: 26 April 2015 Part 16:  Rounds 102 – 104
Week 16: 03 May 2015 Part 17:  Rounds 105 – 109
Week 17: 10 May 2015 Part 18:  Rounds 110 – 113
Week 18: 17 May 2015 Part 19:  Optional Squares
Week 19: 24 May 2015 Part 20:  Growing Options
Week 20: 31 May 2015 Part 21:  The End of the Beginning

Helpful Templates

Colours Per Round (Official)

Here you will find the colours and yardages used per round for each of the 3 sizes (small, medium, and large).

Colours Per Round Template (Blank)

If you want to use your own colours, you can use the spreadsheet below to keep a tally of your colours and usage per round.  If you do, you will notice that there are some values (in orange) already entered on the template.  This is just example text and should be replaced with your own values.

Colours Per Round Template (Printable)

Brandi Kasper-Theisen designed this one-sheet template to help you keep a tangible record of which colour you used per round.

Optional Squares and Border Template

Here you will find the (additional) colours and yardages used per round for the optional squares and border.

Colouring Templates

You can download blank colouring-in templates from the 5-year Anniversary Make-along Page HERE.

Example of the Ubuntu Sophie Colourway featured in the Make-along

Important Tips

Some people have had problems with the centres of their blankets ‘bulging’.  To avoid this, I suggest starting with the smaller of the 2 hooks listed for each size and then changing to the larger of the 2 hooks after you have completed the initial Mandala (Parts 1 – 3).

If you are making the large version with worsted weight yarn and a 5.5 mm hook, for example, start with a 5 mm hook and complete the initial Mandala (Parts 1 – 3) with that hook.  Then, at the start of Part 4, change to the recommended hook size (in this example that would be a 5.5 mm hook).

This is especially important if you are a complete beginner as your tension will improve as the blanket grows.

I also suggest blocking Sophie at the end of Part 7 (see Blocking below).  If your centre has started bulging again, go up another hook size at the start of Part 8, but please keep in mind that doing this will affect the amount of yarn you end up using.

When making Sophie, you will realize that some rounds bulge and some rounds buckle.  This will be corrected in later rounds (apart from the above-mentioned instance at the end of Part 7) and is part of the intricate shaping of the pattern.

It is extremely important that you do not go down a hook size to compensate for this (at all, ever)!

Blocking

From Part 7 of Sophie’s Universe onward, I suggest blocking your work.  Annie’s has some good advice for Blocking Afghans and Other Large Pieces.  Quite a few people think that you cannot block acrylic yarn.  You can, in fact, block acrylic yarn quite successfully!

If you are going to use foam squares to block on, consider buying these Interlocking Foam Exercise Mats.  They are similar to these Knitter’s Pride Lace Blocking Mats but cheaper.  You will also need some of these Clover Fork Blocking Pins (although regular non-rust pins will work as well).

Examples of Sophie

If you would like to see some inspirational versions/colourways, you can find them here:

Sophie-related Patterns

More Colourways

You can find me on Facebook, Bloglovin, Pinterest, Twitter, or Instagram.

Happy Hooking!

Dedri

This blog post contains affiliate links. I only link to products I personally use or would use.  All opinions are my own.

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Comments

  1. This is such a beautiful blanket! I know I’m so late to the party, but I am going to be starting this at the end of the year and will be giving it to my parents as a ruby wedding gift. I have ordered my yarn in Stylecraft Special Aran and I’m attempting a mock Stonewashed colour path, as I love that one, but the yarn is just a bit out of my price range :) I will also be travelling, so my Sophie will get to visit a fair few countries while I complete her!

    Thank you so much Dedri and all the people involved in this, I’m so excited to start! I have only been crocheting for around two months, but already I’m addicted! Can’t wait to start the journey!

    All the best,
    Rob

    Reply

    • Rob, I don’t ‘OMG’ lightly (or ever, really), but OMG your website! Jim’s photographs!!! Please make Sophie and let her see the world in a way that I can’t foresee myself doing!! I hope you can persuade Jim to take some photographs of her along the way so that I can live vicariously through you. I hope you have SO much fun on your journey(s).

      Dedri

      ps. which colours did you choose?

    • Hi Dedri,

      I’m so chuffed you like our site, and I’ll definitely get Jim to take plenty of pics with my Sophie in as many exciting places as we can!

      As for my colours, I’ll be using Stylecraft Special Aran in Cream, Cloud Blue, Aspen, Teal, Meadow, Khaki, Plum, Raspberry, Emperor and Spice.

      Now just to make sure I can fit them all in my backpack!

      All the best,
      Rob

    • Oooh! I don’t know how I missed this, but consider me as one of your Facebook and Instagram followers now, Rob!
      You colour choices sound lovely for your Sophie, and I am also looking forward to seeing her travels documented on your pages!
      Jenny :)

  2. Hey,

    Finally it’s my turn to work on your beautiful creation. I really thought I would be the only one to start this late but after reading through all the comments it makes me feel really better.

    Coming to the design, I read everything and I am completely in awe of you and your imagination. To come up with something as gorgeous as Sophies Universe and sharing it with all of us. I just feel too small to even appreciate your kindness. Hope I can drop comments here if I happen to face any issue as I hook up your master piece.

    Thank you so much..!

    ~ Aru (Singapore)

    Reply

    • Hi Aru. Pleased to meet you :) I’m glad you like it. You are welcome to ask questions here, although there are also PLENTY of people on Facebook that have made Sophie and are more than happy to help (and might be awake when I am not). But please do ask if you get stuck.

      Dedri

  3. Oh, just one more thing Dedri….I forgot to mention how much I am learning, and it is wonderful! I feel confident to tackle other crochet projects now as well (just made a sunhat for my sister to wear to the races!). Tanya

    Reply

  4. Hello Dedri, I am old to knitting but quite new to crochet (internet-taught this year), and ambitiously decided to give Sophie’s Universe a go as it kept popping up on Ravelry and I was intrigued. Congratulations for firstly designing and creating such a modern, beautiful piece, but then more so and thank you for providing such wonderful detailed instructions which allows the likes of me to be able to follow. I love your additional comments and advice. The work gone into this by you is immense! To be available to everybody for free continually blows me away. Having said that, I have decided to buy your book for the pure pleasure of the looking. I have just started part six and it is going very well. Any family members or friends who have seen it are fascinated by it, and love to see it as it progresses. Here is my main message to you (takes me awhile to get to the point): Each time I sit to do some more “work” on my Sophie it makes me feel happy. Each time I catch sight of my gradually growing Sophie it makes me feel happy. Each time I am doing something mundane on my computer or device, and I catch a glimpse of the book-marked page, or a photo of Sophie….that even sparks a glow of happiness. I know I’m starting to sound a little obsessed, but I think I’m quite balanced in my approach….it’s just such a lovely pass-time to look forward to and enjoy, and I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s life has become just a little more glowing because of Sophie’s Universe. Thank you and I hope all is well in your world. Kind regards, Tanya (from Australia).

    Reply

    • Hi Tanya!
      I can relate to your feelings about working on Sophie completely! Dedri created such a fabulous gift for us all in the form of Sophie and her Garden and Universe. I am currently making lots of Gardens with as much yarn as I can get my hands on. Addiction is often a good thing!

      Jenny

  5. Hi Dedri! I’ve been following your work for a long time and I’m in awe of your talent.

    I have just started Sophie’s Universe. I’m using Scheepjes Stonewashed (not XL) and a size f hook. I’m only on the center flower and it is curling up a bit. Is this normal or should I change hook sizes?

    Thank you so much! Thank you also for the wonderful designs you create.

    Robin

    Reply

    • Hi Robin. Thank you! The flower will curl up at the end of Round 4 no matter which hook size you use. This will correct itself in the next few rounds. There are a few places in the pattern where the pattern will buckle or bowl, only to be corrected later on… Please let me know how you go when you get to the end of Part 1.

    • Thanks! I realized that I was making back stitches when I should have been making front post. I started over and I am almost at the end of part 2. All is well so far. I love this pattern. It’s so much fun. I’ve already bought some Whirl yarn (Rosewater Cocktail) to make a second Sophie when this one is complete.

    • Hi Robin. I’m glad you’re on your way again. Rosewater Cocktail is now my favourite Whirl colourway!

  6. Please help me! I have been wanting to make Sophie for so long…
    There is the most beautiful yarn. It is called Melodyy by Wolltraum. It is a strand yarn not twisted and there would be 8 strands needed for dk weight. Do you think it would be a good choice for Sophie? I would really appreciate your opinion. Thank you for your time, for a beautiful Sophie and for your help!
    Warmest regards. Tawana.

    Reply

    • Thank you!!

      Now I can go crazy trying to decide which one I love best…and light to dark or dark to light.

      All my best to you!

    • I don’t think you can go wrong with either. Don’t drive yourself too crazy (although I know very well the temptation of doing a project in every colourway from either side) x

  8. Hello and good morning. I am finished with part 3 of my Sophie and my work is not bulging. I have not yet blocked it either. Do you suggest I still go up a hook size since it is not bulging? In other words should I still go up a hook size no matter what at this point? I am sorry to bother you if this is a silly question. Thanks in advance!

    Reply

    • Hi Cherryl. I would still go up a hook size as it can’t harm the blanket to do so, but it might make it bulge later if you don’t :)

  9. I’ am proud to say I have finished this blanked. I started on the 15th of May, had to order some more wool in Britain and today 10th of august… I still have to block like you always adwise.( need to ask my neighbours for more pots and pans ) Very happie greetings from germany Karin

    Reply

    • Haha, you’re blocking with pots and pans. Did you see the photo where I blocked with toy boxes and drying racks?

  11. All the companies have sold out of the packs for the large blanket. Is there any help you can provide to me in being able to find the pack in the future ? Thanks for all your help!!!

    Reply

  12. Hello Dedri – I am just embarking on my 5th Sophie (this one is for the mother of a work colleague who saw me working on a mono-chrome Sophie for myself and loved it). I have a copy of your book – much annotated to assist me.

    Reply

  13. I am about to start this and am super excited! I finally got all my yarn together (well at least a skein of each color for now) and am all ready to go! But then I see where you talk about color planning… is this necessary? Or can I just pick a random color as I go whenever it’s time to change colors? I haven’t actually looked at the pattern yet… so wasn’t sure if the pattern even prompts you to change…

    Reply

    • Hi Julie. The pattern prompts you to change, but the instructions also allow for people who don’t want to change at the start of a specific round. All the rounds, except the ones where you HAVE to fasten off to make the start of the next round easier, are written for the same colour and for a colour change. You do not have to plan. I have seen many gorgeous random sophies. When the blanket is still small, the colours might look like the clash, but the bigger it gets, the more cohesive the colours become.

  15. I’ve been crocheting over 40 years, I taught myself. But I have never seen anything like this much less be a part of it. I’m so excited. Thank You for all the beautiful patterns and especially for sharing them. I look forward to seeing my finished project.

    Reply

    • I use a needle and work my way through the stitches so it doesn’t show on the front. I go through a few inches of stitch backs and then reverse again and then back again so the ends are really locked in well.
      Jenny

  20. I made Sophie during the on-line CAL, although not always on schedule. In the middle of making her I retired, moved half-way across the USA, moved twice due to the difficulty of finding an apartment, fell and ended up in 3 different hospitals — 2015 was an eventful year..lol. My one constant was Sophie. I took her with me on the train and each time when I moved (Sophie and yarn filled one whole suitcase..lol) and she now sits proudly at the foot of my bed. I’m sure I would have gotten through that
    year, but Sophie made it easier and gives me better memories.

    I love looking back at the pictures I took while she was growing — it’s almost as much enjoyment and satisfaction as looking back at the baby pictures of my 3 grown kids..lol. I plan to order the book from one of the English companies as I’ve give up thinking I can purchase it here in the USA.

    I consider Sophie and Dedri dear friends, and I know that I am blessed. Thanks again, Dedri, so very much.

    Reply

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