Hello and welcome to the Sophie’s Universe crochet-along.
If you are new to this journey, I am so excited for you! 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
Sophie’s Universe began as a mystery crochet-along on 18 January 2015 and ran for 20 weeks. When we started, nobody knew what the finished blanket would look like, or just how intricate it would become!
By the time the design began revealing its complexity, thousands of crocheters were already making Sophie, encouraging each other and discovering that they could do things they might never have attempted if they’d seen the finished blanket first.
With over 8,000 projects on Ravelry, Sophie’s Universe continues to bring crocheters together more than a decade later. From complete beginners to experienced crocheters, Sophie is a crash course in crochet and a wonderful adventure!
Above all, my goal with this pattern has always been to help people approach complex patterns with confidence. Every stitch is just a stitch. You don’t need to know how to make the whole blanket before you begin. You only need to know how to make the next stitch.
Two warnings:
- 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)
- Important Tips
- Step-by-Step Tutorials (With links to all the relevant tutorials)
- Helpful Templates
- Blocking
- Examples of Sophie
- Sophie-related Patterns
- More Colourways
Resources
- Photo Tutorials: You can find the links to all the weekly photo tutorials under Step-by-Step Tutorials 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. You can use that button to print each part (or save them as a PDF).
- 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: Sophie’s Universe was originally hosted in the Official CCC Social Group, if you’d like to be a part of the friendly community that first supported the CAL. There is also a dedicated Sophie’s Universe Facebook Group. It is independently run, and I love seeing everyone’s progress.
- 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!
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, with a caveat!
Sophie’s Universe is technically an advanced crochet pattern, but it was written specifically with adventurous beginners in mind. I was a beginner(ish) myself when I designed it, so you don’t need to be an advanced crocheter to make Sophie!
With detailed step-by-step photo tutorials, accompanying video tutorials, and dedicated online communities where you can ask questions and find support, you’ll have plenty of help along the way.
In fact, some people have made Sophie as their very first crochet project!
Gauge
The best way to check your gauge is to complete Part 1 of Sophie’s Universe (Rounds 1–8) and measure your work.
| 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 will be roughly a tenth of the predicted final size of your blanket.
If your measurements differ from those listed above, don’t panic! It simply means that your tension is different from mine. This will affect your blanket’s finished size and how much yarn you need.
If you are using a yarn kit and your gauge is larger than mine, you may wish to adjust your hook size so that you don’t run out of yarn. If you are using your own yarn or stash, all that really matters is that you are happy with the drape and look of your work.
Size and Materials
Sophie’s Universe was originally made in three different Scheepjes yarns, each with a different yarn weight and finished size. The table below compares the three versions, including their hook sizes, yarn quantities and colours.
You are not limited to these yarns or sizes, though. You can make Sophie with any yarn you like, as long as you’re happy with the resulting fabric and drape.
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
The original Stonewashed XL, Softfun, and Rainbow Colour Crafter packs are still available from Wool Warehouse. These packs contain enough yarn to complete Sophie’s Universe without the Optional Squares and Border, as long as your tension matches mine.
If you are using a different yarn or your tension is looser than mine, please refer to the Helpful Templates below to calculate how much yarn you may need.
The original Cotton 8 colour pack is no longer available, but you can still find the yarn quantities and colour numbers in the materials table above.
Yarn Kits
Cotton 8 (Small)- Softfun (Medium)
- Rainbow Colour Crafter Pack (Medium) – Read more about the Rainbow Colour Crafter Sophie HERE.
- Stonewashed XL (Large)
Important Tips
Choosing Your Hook Size
Some people have experienced problems with the centre of their Sophie bulging. To help prevent this, I recommend starting with the smaller of the two hook sizes listed in the materials table above, then switching to the larger hook after completing the initial mandala (Parts 1–3).
For example, if you’re making the large version with worsted-weight yarn, start with a 5 mm hook for Parts 1–3, then switch to a 5.5 mm hook at the beginning of Part 4.
This is especially important if you’re a beginner, as your tension is likely to change as you become more comfortable with the stitches and techniques.
Blocking and Adjusting Your Hook Size
I recommend blocking Sophie at the end of Part 7 (see Blocking below). If the centre is still bulging after blocking, you may wish to go up another hook size at the beginning of Part 8.
Please keep in mind that increasing your hook size may affect your gauge and the amount of yarn you need, particularly if you’re using one of the official yarn kits.
Bulging and Buckling
As you work through Sophie’s Universe, you’ll notice that some rounds bulge while others buckle. Don’t panic! This is a normal part of the pattern’s intricate shaping, and these areas will settle as you complete subsequent rounds.
The exception is the centre bulging discussed above, which may require blocking or a change in hook size.
It is extremely important that you do not go down a hook size to compensate for temporary bulging or buckling (at all, ever)!
Sophie’s Universe: Step-by-Step Tutorials
Sophie’s Universe is my original crochet design, and I retain the copyright to the pattern. Please do not copy, reproduce, or distribute the written instructions or photographs, in part or in full, without my permission.
You are very welcome to share links to the free tutorials so that others can enjoy making Sophie too!
- Part 1: Rounds 1 – 8
- Part 2: Rounds 9 – 15
- Part 3: Rounds 16 – 25
- Part 4: Rounds 26 – 36
- Part 5: Rounds 37 – 45
- Part 6: Rounds 46 – 53
- Part 7: Rounds 54 – 61
- Part 8: Rounds 62 – 68
- Part 9: Rounds 69 – 74
- Part 10: Rounds 75 – 80
- Part 11: Rounds 81 – 84
- Part 12: Rounds 85 – 88
- Part 13: Rounds 89 – 92
- Part 14: Rounds 93 – 97
- Part 15: Rounds 98 – 101
- Part 16: Rounds 102 – 104
- Part 17: Rounds 105 – 109
- Part 18: Rounds 110 – 113
- Part 19: Optional Squares
- Part 20: Growing Options
- Part 21: The End of the Beginning
Helpful Templates
Whether you’re following one of the original colourways or creating your own, these templates will help you plan your colours, keep track of your yarn usage, and calculate how much yarn you’ll need for the optional squares and border.
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
Blocking
I recommend blocking Sophie at the end of Part 7 and periodically thereafter, especially if the centre starts to bulge or the edges become uneven.
And yes, you can block acrylic yarn! Although acrylic doesn’t respond to blocking in quite the same way as natural fibres, it can still benefit from careful shaping. Just remember that acrylic is sensitive to heat, so avoid using a hot iron or direct steam on your work.
If you’re using foam mats for blocking, interlocking exercise mats (which is what I used) are a great, budget-friendly alternative to dedicated blocking mats, especially for larger projects like Sophie.
You’ll also need some pins to hold your work in place while it dries. I used Clover Fork Blocking Pins, but regular old sewing pins will do just fine.
Examples of Sophie
Looking for colour inspiration? There are thousands of beautiful Sophies out there, each with its own personality! Explore other crocheters’ projects on Ravelry and Instagram, or look at some alternative versions featured here on the blog.
- Ravelry: Browse thousands of Sophie’s Universe projects, including details of the yarns and colours other crocheters have used.
- Instagram: Explore photos shared by the crochet community using #sophiesuniversecal2015.
- Sophie’s Universe in a Single Colour – See how the intricate stitches and textures shine when colour changes aren’t competing for attention.
- Sophie’s Universe in Scheepjes Whirl – A beautiful example of Sophie made with colour-changing yarn.
- Micro-Sophie – An extraordinary miniature Sophie crocheted with sewing thread by Geneva Kae Snyder.
Sophie-related Patterns
If you’ve fallen in love with Sophie’s Universe and aren’t quite ready to say goodbye, there are plenty of ways to keep the adventure going! From extending your Sophie to incorporating her into entirely new projects, these patterns offer even more opportunities to play with her stitches and textures.
- Sophie’s Alternate Universe – An extension of Sophie’s Universe designed by Sonja Holland.
- Sophie’s Dream – A beautiful blanket combining smaller versions of Sophie with Scheepjes Whirl.
- Sophie Stool – A creative way to turn Sophie into a decorative stool cover.
- Sophie Cocoon Cardigan – A wearable interpretation of Sophie by Stephanie Best.
More Colourways
In 2020, we celebrated five years of Sophie’s Universe with a special anniversary make-along featuring three new colourways. Whether you’re making Sophie for the first time or returning for another adventure, these colour combinations offer fresh inspiration for a much-loved pattern.
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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 ;)