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: 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: 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.
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: Large Stonewashed XL Version
Translations
- Dutch CAL Information by Dianne Baan
- German CAL Information by Maja Heidingsfelder
- Spanish CAL Information by Lynda Hernandez
- Finnish CAL Information by Mervi, Pippa, Sari S, and Sari Å
- French CAL Information by Sandra Larvin (with Video Tutorials by Géraldine Cymer for the first few parts)
- Danish Translations by Tina Poulsen
- Russian CAL Information by Natalie V. Alimpieva
- Swedish CAL Information by Emma Vingqvist, Agnetha Magnusson, Åza Karlsson, and Ulrika Larsson
- Arabic Video Tutorials by Banan Felimban
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.
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*: |
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| Yardage: | 3900 meters (4265 yards) | 3400 meters (3720 yards) | 2500 meters (2730 yards) |
| I am using: | Scheepjeswol Stonewashed XL | Scheepjeswol Softfun | Scheepjeswol Cotton 8 |
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| 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.
- Cotton 8 (Small)
- Softfun (Medium)
- Rainbow Colour Crafter Pack (Medium) – You can read more about the Rainbow Colour Crafter Sophie HERE.
- Stonewashed XL (Large)
Sophie’s Universe: Medium Rainbow Colour Crafter Version
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 (Small Version)
- Colours Per Round (Medium Softfun Version)
- Colours Per Round (Medium Colour Crafter Version)
- Colours Per Round (Large Version)
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.
- Optional Squares and Border Cotton 8
- Optional Squares and Border Softfun
- Optional Squares and Border Stonewashed XL
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
Examples of Sophie
If you would like to see some inspirational versions/colourways, you can find them here:
- Ravelry – you can see some awesome examples (along with colours and yarn used) HERE on Ravelry.
- Instagram – you can find all the images tagged with #sophiesuniversecal2015 HERE on Instagram.
- Sophie’s Universe in a Single Colour
- Sophie’s Universe in Scheepjes Whirl
- Micro-Sophie
Sophie-related Patterns
- Sophie’s Alternate Universe – an extension of Sophie’s Universe by Sonja Holland
- Sophie’s Dream – POPULAR
- Sophie Stool
- Sophie Cocoon Cardigan
More Colourways
- 5 Year Anniversary Make-along with 3 new colourways (2020)
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- Ubuntu Colourway
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- Metropolis Colourway
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- Bamboo Soft Colourway
This blog post contains affiliate links. I only link to products I personally use or would use. All opinions are my own.
Barbara says
I made the Sophie’s Universelast year it tooo me 4 months to sitting in front of the YouTube. Taking instructions from it. I Enjoyed crocheting Sophie. I also won 1st prize in the show I entered.
I am just sorry that there is nowhere to post a photo
Dedri Uys says
Hi Barbara. Congratulations :) You can post photos on Facebook, Instagram, Flickr, or any other social media site, using #sophiesuniversecal2015 so that we can find them. You can also use the contact me tab to open up a line of communication via email, which will then allow you to email me a photo. I hope that helps. Dedri
Sheila Hopkins says
Dedri, I have thoroughly enjoyed crocheting this throw. However, I foolishly ignored all instructions to block as I went along (head in the sand and all that!) and now find myself with a very beautiful but quite ‘bulgy’ throw. Will blocking at this point (the end!) put it right do you think or should I just live with it? I would be grateful for any advice you can give.
Many thanks, Sheila
Dedri Uys says
Hi Sheila. There are two places in the pattern where we recommend you go up a hook size if you feel you need to (based on your blocked work at those two points). If you did go up a hook size, blocking should fix the bulge at the end. If you did not go up a hook size where suggested, blocking at this point probably won’t get rid of the bulge. Is it very bad?
Helen Moulden says
I have had the pattern for this beautiful blanket saved for quite a while. I finally started it July last year. I made a blanket for my daughter. She watched me make it and I gave it to her for Christmas. It is summer here and she has it on her bed. I am making another one for my older daughter now.
Jenny says
We would love to see photos of your work, Helen!
Jenny :)
Lesley Garrett-Jones says
Hi I am contemplating making the small CAL 2015 in Scheepjes stonewash yarn as I really like the colour tones. What size crochet hook would I use and approx what size/weight would this work out to? Kind regards, Lesley
Dedri Uys says
Hi Lesley. The size of the blanket is determined by the weight of the yarn you choose to use (and the hook sizes). The instructions for all 3 sizes remain the same. If you would like to make Sophie’s Universe in Regular Stonewashed (NOT Stonewashed XL), you will need to use regular stonewashed, following the colours per round for the large version and the hook sizes and gauge suggested in the medium version.
This will give you a blanket that is slightly smaller than the medium version. If you feel that the resulting tension is too loose (I crochet very tightly and the details of the blanket become slightly lost if the tension is too loose), feel free to start with a 3mm hook, then go up to a 3.25mm where indicated, and finally go up to a 3.5mm should you feel it needs it (again, where indicated in the pattern). You will need to buy the following amounts of regular stonewashed: 13 balls of Moonstone, 4 balls of Canada Jade, and 2 balls each of Amazonite, Blue Apatite, Lemon Quartz, Deep Amathyst, Garnet, Corundum Ruby, and Coral. I hope that helps.
Dedri
Denise says
Hello. Just stumbled on this and find it beautiful. Is your pattern written in US or UK crochet terms? Thank you…Denise
Dedri Uys says
Hi Denise. This specific pattern is only available in US terminology. This is a personal preference to keep online peer-to-peer help as simple as possible.
Susan says
Hi Dedri! I absolutely love this pattern and even moreso your ability to make the instructions clear. I started this project when I was an “adventurous beginner” and I found your directions so easy to follow.
At the time I knew nothing about yarn packs. I bought and used yarn from Hobby Lobby. I’ve since seen the labels that came with the kits and I’m curious if there are any still available. If so, can they be purchased separately?
Thank you so much for your beautiful designs and wonderful instructions. You taught me some of what made me become a more advanced crocheter.
Dedri Uys says
Hi Susan. I am so glad you enjoyed your Sophie journey and delighted that learned so much from it. The labels were provided by Scheepjes specifically for the ‘official’ Scheepjes kits sold through Wool Warehouse. Unfortunately, they are not available separately.
Thank you for your lovely comment and for getting in touch.
Dedri
Su Smith says
Hi there , I am a beginner improver and I’m really enjoying my Sophie’s stool recently gifted to me . Do have any tips for round 20 and the Fpdtr stitches? I keep getting very saggy stretched top loops ?
Many thanks
Su
Dedri Uys says
Hi Su. The tops of longer stitches will always be a bit loose, but in this pattern they are largely hidden in subsequent rounds. You could try tugging on your working yarn just a little bit after making all your yarn-overs until you remove half a yarn-over, if that makes sense. This will pull the previous stitch up onto the top of your hook. By the time you get to working those last two loops off, they will be tighter but not too tight. I don’t know how to explain it better without pictures.
Lisa Torres says
I’m so glad I found this pattern. I’m in the process of converting it into a skirt and it’s turning out wonderfully so far!
Katrina says
Hi Dedri, I was wondering if you or anyone has stitch counts for the added round from the downloadable ebook, starting at round 31. I used thinner yarn so I have to add extra rounds and the border you provided!
Dedri Uys says
Hi. Unfortunately, no-one has. You need a multiple of 6 stitches per side (not including corner spaces) to continue with Round 31 of the Stitch Sampler. You can just add rounds (adding a few stitches where needed) until you do have multiples of 6 per side and then continue with Stitch Sampler from there.
Donna Stowers says
Does anyone have a row by row with peach and teal colors.
Sandra says
Hi i was just wondering if the instructions in the book are UK or US
Dedri Uys says
US :)
Lynn Nielsen says
Hi Dedri, I’m so excited about starting this project! It’s the most exquisite throw and I’m so impressed with the pattern, wonderful photos and all the support tuition. It will be a challenge for me as I’m stepping up from simple granny squares but so far Part 1 is going ok for me….well early days yet hahaha. Thank you so much for making this pattern available to everyone!!! Cheers, Lynn
Dedri Uys says
Hi Lynn. If you find Part 1 ok, you will find the rest of it ok. It’s a bit of a (gentle) baptism by fire, deliberately designed so that you will know right of the bat what to expect. x
Patricia Rickenbaugh says
Dedri, is there a color pack for the large size of this CAL at the warehouse site? The one that pops up when I go there is for the medium it looks like. Thanks much
Dedri Uys says
Hi Patricia. Wool Warehouse has the small, medium, and large in my wool warehouse shop HERE.
Maritza says
Hi daar, ek het pas hierdie stunning projek ontdek. Wil net seker maak – die instruksies vir Part 1 – vir watter grootte kombers is dit? Ek wil die Large een maak, en as ek die link oopmaak om die verskillende groottes te sien, neem dit my na hierdie post.
Vriendelike groete uit SA
Maritza
Dedri Uys says
Hi Maritza. Die patroon is die selfde vir elke groote. Die enigste verskil is die dikte van die wol en die hekel pen.
Joanne Rodriguez says
So I am going to be starting my Sophie’s Universe, at the end of most of the rounds you say to omit certain amount of stitches from last repeat. What do you mean by that? Very confusing!!!!
Angie says
You omit the last bit because you already did it at the start before the beginning of the repeat… If you joined in a corner space & then did 4 repeats you don’t want to do a 5th corner at the end. It will make sense when you do it :) I am on round 94 myself & Dedri’s instructions are amazing!
Jane Granger says
As a late starter I am organizing wool to start my Sophie In Stonewash XL! Do i really need 23 balls of Moonstone??
Regards Jane
Dedri Uys says
Hi Jane. Yes, you do really need 23 balls of moonstone as the majority of the blanket is made in moonstone.
Jane Granger says
Thank you Dedri
I wasn’t sure as the other versions didn’t have one colour with so many extra balls.
Dedri Uys says
That’s fine :) The other two colourways use predominantly rainbow colours. The large version uses a base of cream with scattered bright colours.
Engela says
Hallo Dedri, ek weet die artikel hierbo het lankal verskyn en die verwysings is dalk nie meer van toepassing nie maar ek dog ek sê jou net dat die “links” van Amelia Vincent nie een meer werk nie. Almal verwys net na ADHD. Dalk kan mens dit maar net verwyder.
Groete uit SA
Engela
Dedri Uys says
Ek het hulle verwyder, dankie. Wat ‘n jammerte dat sy nie meer ‘n website het nie, want haar artikels was so kleurvol en mooi.
wendy strutz says
At the bottom of your page there are links for “My ADHD Life ” to see different Sophie’s. You might want to check them put because when I tried to click on several of them, I got a virus warning from my computer, calling them malicious sites.
Dedri Uys says
It appears that the relevant website no longer exists, so I have removed the links. Thank you.
Ruth says
Hi, I remember there was someone who used thread to complete her sophie. Can you give me a link to her web page? I’d like to try it, and I wanted to see what thread she used and how much.
Thanks!!
xoxo
Dedri Uys says
Hi, if you scroll down to the bottom of this post, you will see Examples. Under that heading, you will find a post about a micro Sophie.
Silvia says
Hi Dedri! I am about to finish my Sophies Universe. I had to follow the Spanish instructions since it was easier for me to do so in my mother tongue. I am from Argentina and I just HAD to tell you I simply LOVED this CAL. I had so much fun and I fell I was actually doing this with a friend.
My friends and family find it hard to believe I want to use it as a carpet! LOL they say it is way too pretty and difficult to be laying on the floor. So, I guess I will have it on the couch or the bed once it is done.
So thank you so much for this CAL. And thanks to all the great people who translated the project into Spanish.
I admire you and your work.
Jenny says
Hi Silvia. Jenny here. We are so happy that you have enjoyed your journey with Sophie! We look forward to hearing about your next one ;)