Good Morning!
I hope you are all excited and ready for Part 3 of Sophie’s Universe. At the end of part 3, you will have a beautifully bright Mandala. This Mandala has its own Ravelry Page, so feel free to add your projects there as well.
Sophie’s Universe Part 3 {Photo Tutorial}
©Dedri Uys 2014. All Rights Reserved.
Special design credit to Chris Simon for allowing me to use a modified version of her Lace Petals flower.
Resources
- Add this CAL to your Ravelry Queue
- Sophie’s Universe CAL 2015 Information
- Use the Print-friendly button at the bottom (right) of this post to print/save this tutorial. Don’t know how? Find out HERE.
- **Part 3 VIDEO TUTORIAL** by Esther Dijkstra from It’s All in a Nutshell
Translations
- Dutch Photo Tutorial by Dianne Baan
- German Translation by Gabriele Rogers
- Spanish Translation by Lynda Hernandez
- Danish Translation by Tina Poulsen
- Finnish Translation by Sari Åström
- French Translation by Sandra Larvin (with Video Tutorials by Géraldine Cymer)
- Russian Translation (with Video) by Natalie V. Alimpieva
- Swedish CAL Information by Emma Vingqvist, Agnetha Magnusson, Åza Karlsson, and Ulrika Larsson
- Arabic Video Tutorial by Banan Felimban
Materials
See the Information Post.
| Colours for Part 3 | |||
 |
 |
 |
|
| Cotton 8 | Softfun | Stonewashed XL | |
| Round 16 | Canary | Canary | Deep Amethyst |
| Round 17 | Light Pink | Light Rose | Deep Amethyst |
| Round 18 | Pink | Rose | Lemon Quartz |
| Round 19 | Fuchsia | Bordeaux | Lemon Quartz |
| Round 20 | Moors | Cyclamen | Green Agate |
| Round 21 | Light Green | Olive | Green Agate |
| Round 22 | Turquoise | Dark Turquoise | Amazonite |
| Round 23 | Light Turquoise | Light Blue | Amazonite |
| Round 24 | Light Turquoise | Light Blue | Moonstone |
| Round 25 | Light Turquoise | Light Blue | Moonstone |
Size
| Large | Medium | Small | |
| Sophie’s Universe (End of Part 3) | 50 cm (just under 20 “) | 40 cm (just under 16″) | 30 cm (just under 12″) |
Abbreviations
US Terminology used (US/UK comparison chart here)
- Ch – Chain
- Dc – Double crochet
- Fpdc – Front post double crochet
- Fpdtr – Front post double treble
- Fptr – Front post treble crochet
- Hdc – Half-double crochet
- Sc – Single crochet
- Sl st – Slip stitch
- St/st’s – Stitch/stitches
- * – Repeat instructions between asterisks the number of times specified. This is a hardcore repeat and will consist of multiple instructions.
- () – Repeat instructions between parentheses the number of times specified. This is a lower level repeat.
Special Stitches
- Cluster : Dc3tog – see this tutorial.
- Crab stitch: This stitch is also known as the reverse single crochet. See this tutorial.
- Popcorn stitch: Make 5 dc’s in the same stitch. Remove your hook from the last stitch. Insert your hook into the first dc of the 5 dc’s. Grab the last stitch with your hook and pull it through the first stitch. Ch 1. See this tutorial.
- Standing Stitches: Standing sc’s, hdc’s, and dc’s are stitches used to start the round without the need for the traditional beginning chain. Links to tutorials are supplied in each relevant round.
Invisible Join
If you would like to use the invisible join instead of the sl st join at the end of each round, you can find a step-by-step photo tutorial here. If you DO decide to use it, make very sure that you understand which stitch to join to and which stitch to start your new round in, otherwise, your mandala is going to come out all wonky!
Instructions
Rounds 1 – 15
You can find the links for Rounds 1 – 15 HERE.
Round 16
Hint: The hdc’s worked into the picots should fall in the 4th sc made into the ch-6 space.
- If you are going to use the same colour, sl st into the next st and then ch 2 (this counts as your first hdc). Hdc in the next 3 st’s.
- If you are going to use a different colour, start with a standing half-double crochet in the st after the sl st join. Hdc in the next 3 st’s {Photo 1}.
*Catch the picot by making a hdc through the picot from Round 13 and into the next st of Round 15 (so through both layers as before) – see Photo 2. Hdc in the next 5 st’s {Photo 3} and make a fptr around the post of the fpdc from Round 14 {Photo 4}. Skip the next st of Round 15 and Make 2 hdc’s in the next st {indicated with an arrow in Photo 5 and illustrated in Photo 6}. Fptr around the same fpdc from Round 14 {Photo 7}. Skip the next st of Round 15 and hdc in the next 4 st’s {Photo 8}.* Repeat from * to * 11 more times, omitting the last 4 hdc’s on the last repeat {Photo 9}. Join to the top of the beginning ch-2 (or standing hdc) with a sl st.
Stitch Count: 168 st’s {144 hdc’s and 24 fptr’s}
Round 17
- If you are going to use the same colour, ch 1 and sc in the same st. Sc in the next 4 st’s {Photo 1}.
- If you are going to use a different colour, start with a standing single crochet in the same st as the sl st join. Sc in the next 4 st’s.
*Fpdc around the picot from Round 13 {indicated with an arrow in Photo 1 and illustrated in Photos 2 and 3}. Skip the next st from Round 16 and sc in the next 6 st’s {Photo 4}. Make 2 sc’s in the next st {Photo 5}. Sc in the next 6 st’s {Photo 6}.* Repeat from * to * 11 more times, omitting the last 5 sc’s on the last repeat. Join to the top of the first sc with a sl st.
Stitch Count: 180 st’s {168 sc’s and 12 fpdc’s}
Note
In the next 3 rounds, Sophie has a tendency to buckle. This will correct itself in Rounds 21 and 22, so don’t worry about it. If your stitch count is spot on, you’ll be fine.
Round 18
Update: A few of you seem to be struggling with this round. I have now linked to a better tutorial (by Tamara from Moogly) to make it easier for you to understand how the popcorn should be made. Remember that the 5-dc popcorn stitch is closed with a ch st.
- If you are going to use the same colour, sl st into the next 3 st’s so that you end up in the second sc before the fpdc. Ch 2 (this counts as your first hdc). Hdc in the next st.
- If you are going to use a different colour, start with a standing half-double crochet in the second sc before any fpdc from the previous round. Hdc in the next st {Photo 1}.
*Make a popcorn stitch in the next st, which will be the fpdc {Photo 2}. Hdc in the next 4 st’s {Photo 3}. Fptr around the fptr from Round 16 {Photo 5}. Skip the next st of Round 17 {indicated with an arrow in Photo 5}. Hdc in the next 2 st’s. Make 2 hdc’s in the next st. Hdc in the next 2 st’s {Photo 6}. Fptr around the fptr from Round 16 {Photo 7}. Skip the next st of Round 17. Hdc in the next 3 st’s {Photo 8}.* Repeat from * to * 11 more times, omitting the last 2 hdc’s on the last repeat. Join to the top of the beginning ch-2 (or the standing hdc) with a sl st.
Stitch Count: 192 st’s {156 hdc’s, 12 popcorns and 24 fptr’s}
Round 19
Identifying which “loops” to work into for the popcorn stitch: for the purposes of this pattern, the “top” of the popcorn stitch will be the first dc of the 5-dc’s used to create the popcorn. You will find the loops for this stitch immediately to the right and slightly behind the popcorn (to the left if you are left-handed) – see the arrow in Photo 2. When you work into the first dc of the 5-dc popcorn like this (Photo 2), you will skip the ch st on top of each popcorn (indicated with an arrow in Photo 1).
- If you are going to use the same colour, sl st to the popcorn stitch. Ch 3 (this counts as your first dc).
- If you are going to use a different colour, start with a standing double crochet in any popcorn stitch around {Photo 2}.
Dc in the next 15 st’s. *Dc in the next stitch, which should be the Popcorn Stitch. Dc in the next 15 st’s.* Repeat from * to * 10 more times. Join to the top of the beginning ch-3 (or the standing dc) with a sl st.
Photo 3 below shows the first dc after the Popcorn completed. Note the skipped ch st at the top of the Popcorn.
Stitch Count: 192 dc’s
Round 20
- If you are going to use the same colour, ch 3 (this counts as your first dc). Dc in the next 3 st’s.
- If you are going to use a different colour, start with a standing double crochet in the same st as the sl st join. Dc in the next 3 st’s.
*Fpdtr around the fptr from Round 18 {Photo 1}. Skip the next st of Round 19 and dc in the next 10 st’s {Photo 2}. Fpdtr around the fptr from Round 18 {Photo 3}. Skip the next st of Round 19 and dc in the next 4 st’s {Photo 4}. The first dc should fall in the dc in the top of the popcorn stitch.* Repeat from * to * 11 more times, omitting the last 4 dc’s on the last repeat. Join to the top of the beginning ch-3 (or the standing double crochet) with a sl st.
Stitch Count: 192 st’s {168 dc’s and 24 fpdtr’s}
Round 21
- If you are going to use the same colour, ch 3 (this counts as your first dc). Dc in the next st.
- If you are going to use a different colour, start with a standing double crochet in the same st as the sl st join. Dc in the next st.
*Make 2 dc’s in the next st. Dc in the next 3 st’s. The last dc should fall in the dc after the fpdtr from the previous round {Photo 1}. (Ch 2 and make a cluster) three times {Photos 2 and 3}. Ch 2 and dc in the next 3 st’s {Photo 4}.* Repeat from * to * 11 more times, omitting the last 2 dc’s on the last repeat. Join to the top of the beginning ch-3 (or the standing double crochet) with a sl st.
Stitch Count: 132 st’s and 48 ch-2 spaces {96 dc’s and 36 clusters }
Round 22
At this point, the “petals” formed by your front post stitches are almost complete. In this round, you will be forming the points of the petals.
Do not worry if your mandala starts to curl in this round, it will straighten out in the next round.
- If you are going to use the same colour, ch 1 and sc in the same st. Sc in the next 2 st’s.
- If you are going to use a different colour, start with a standing single crochet in the same st as the sl st join. Sc in the next 2 st’s.
*Fpdtr around the fpdtr from Round 20 to the left of the popcorn stitch (right, if you are left-handed) – see Photo 1. Fpdtr around the fpdtr from Round 20 to the right of the popcorn stitch (left, if you are left-handed) – see Photo 2. Skip the next st of Round 21. Sc in the next 3 st’s {Photo 3}. (Make 2 sc’s in the next ch-2 space, sc in the top of the next cluster) three times. Make 2 sc’s in the last ch-2 space {Photo 4}. Sc in the next 4 st’s {Photo 5}.* Repeat from * to * 11 more times, omitting the last 3 sc’s on the last repeat. Join to the first sc with a sl st.
Stitch Count: 240 st’s {216 sc’s and 24 fpdtr’s}
Round 23
Note: When working around the fpdtr’s from the previous round, you will make one fpdc around both posts (together) and skip the tops of these 2 st’s. The arrows in Photo 4 indicate the tops of the fpdtr’s that will be skipped.
- If you are going to use the same colour, ch 3 (this counts as your first dc). Dc in the next 2 st’s.
- If you are going to use a different colour, start with a standing double crochet in the same st as the sl st join. Dc in the next 2 st’s {Photo 1}.
*Make a fpdc around the posts of both fpdtr’s from Round 22 {Photos 2 and 3}. See Note above if you need help with this. Dc in the next 18 sc’s {Photo 5}. Don’t accidentally skip the first sc after the fptr’s.* Repeat from * to * 11 more times, omitting the last 3 dc’s on the last repeat. Join to the top of the beginning ch-3 (or the standing double crochet) with a sl st.
Stitch Count: 228 st’s {216 dc’s and 12 fpdc’s}
Round 24
In this round, you will be making increases by working into the loops (tops) of the fpdc’s AND around the posts.
- If you are going to use the same colour, ch 1 and sc in the same st. Sc in the next st.
- If you are going to use a different colour, start with a standing single crochet in the same st as the sl st join. Sc in the next st.
*Hdc in the next 2 st’s. The last hdc should fall in the top of the fpdc from the previous round {Photo 1}. Fpdc around the post of the fpdc from the previous round {Photo 2}. Hdc in the next 2 st’s {Photo 3}. Sc in the next 15 st’s.* Repeat from * to * 11 more times, omitting the last 2 sc’s on the last repeat. Join to the first sc with a sl st. Fasten off and work away your tails of yarn.
Stitch Count: 240 st’s {180 sc’s, 48 hdc’s, and 12 fpdc’s}
Please Note: I have used Canary in the photos below to better illustrate the stitches, but I have used light turquoise in my final blanket.
Round 25 (Optional)
This round is optional. The crab stitch tends to make a lot of people “crabby”, but I quite like making it. Don’t worry if your mandala starts wobbling slightly when you make the crab stitch round. Once you’ve blocked it, it will be right as rain.
Start in any stitch around with a standing single crochet (Photo 1). Make a crab stitch in each st around (Photos 2 and 3).
If you are not familiar with the crab stitch, see this video tutorial. When you get to the end of the round, make a crab stitch in the same stitch as the standing single crochet. No need to join with a sl st. In fact, I’ll give you an apple if you manage to do it! Just fasten off and work away your tails of yarn.
Stitch Count: 240 crab stitches
See the “wobble” I was talking about? It looks a little bit worse in the photo than it actually was.
This is nothing to be alarmed about. It is caused by the fact that the crab stitch takes up more space and is denser than normal single crochet. Because of this, it stretches the last round slightly. Once your mandala is blocked it should be perfect!
If you are going to continue with the CAL there is no need to block at this point. We will square this mandala up next week and that will get rid of the “wobble”.
And now that we’ve gotten all the formalities out of the way I have a little mister who would like to say hello. Of the 3 blankets I am making, the Softfun seems to be his favourite.
This blog post contains affiliate links. I only link to products I personally use or would use. All opinions are my own.
Louna says
Hi, I was wondering if blocking is a must. I do not have the means to do blocking right now but I want my Sophies Universe to still be pretty. Is blocking necessary?
Margalit says
dear Dedri, thanks so much, i just finished the large sophies garden… i’m happy :)
Anette says
*VERY IMPORTANT INFO* about row 18/19
To get the fit of 192 stitches, be careful to watch the video for the popcorn stitch to make absolutely sure you are doing the popcorn stitch correctly!
After watching the video very closely myself, I discovered I had done the popcorn stitch all wrong – and after correcting the error I was able to squeeze in 192 in row 19 without any difficulty at all, just because my popcorn stitch was now correct.
So for your own sake, make sure you have the popcorn stitch correct! :-) Otherwise you will frog and get all wrinkly and cranky because there are only 15 or less stitches (I did!) :-D
Robyn says
This may be my problem because I’m only gettin 180 dc’s after finishing this round and I’m wondering how the numbers are supposed to add up. Thanks! Off to look….and count some more.
Dedri Uys says
Hi Robyn. Can you tell me which round you are talking about?
Heidi Herr says
You know Dedri, I had abandoned crochet in favor of knitting a number of years ago. Your beautiful patterns convinced me to pick it up again.
Dedri Uys says
Heidi, thank you. Do pick it up. It’s just as much fun as knitting!
Jeanne McNair says
I first heard of Sophies Universe”pattern,while buying yarn in a shop in Taumaranui, which is in New Zealand. I have since googled it and loved the pattern. I’m up to round 21 and loving the interesting pattern and colours, finding it hard to put down! Thank you so much for sharing this. Amazing how I came across your site and pattern in a small rural town of New Zealand. Cheers, Jeanne
Dedri Uys says
Hi Jeanne.
My sister lives in New Zealand :) Enjoy the “journey” and ask if you get stuck.
Christine says
Thank you so much, i have being in awe of the wonderful projects on the CCC site, so now starting my own, i am addited. Love it so much. You are amazing, and you little boy very cute. xx
Dedri Uys says
Thank you, Christine :)
Rhonda says
Hi!! I am late to the CAL, however I am so enjoying this pattern. I am following “It’s all in a nut shell”‘s videos and I love it. It is turning out so well! Beautiful!!
Jess says
Hi Dedri,
I am loving doing this CAL, i realise i am late to the game, but i am having real trouble on round 16. I just can’t get the count right. After joing the picot, and then hdc 5 i seem to be one stitch ahead for the v shaped fptc. I’ve frogged it twice now, and counted the stitches in round 15 (which is right) butb i just can’t seem to be able to fit 5 in before the fptc.
Could you please help me?
Thanks :-)
Dedri Uys says
Hi Jess. Can you send me a photo of your work up to the point you are struggling with? It would help if it is a clear daylight photo showing only that bit of the work (and a few stitches on either side). You can use the contact me link at the very top of the website to send me an email, to which I will respond so that you can send me a photo.
Did you see the hint at the start of the round? “The hdc’s worked into the picots should fall in the 4th sc made into the ch-6 space.” Does your hdc that catches the picot fall in the fourth sc made into the ch-6 space? And did you def start in the stitch after the sl st join?
Dedri
Jessica Whelan says
thank you, i will email now…
Anna says
Just halfway through Round 25 and yes, this crab stitch certainly DOES make me crabby – but I love how it looks once the next round is there! Just perservering, one stitch at a time. I know that in a CAL there will be stitches I can breeze through, and others that will need me to just grit my teeth and do it. The overall pattern is stunning and can’t wait to get a few weeks further along, thank you Dedri!!
Jenny says
Ah crab stitch…the Marmite stitch of crochet lovers everywhere lol
Dedri Uys says
You are most welcome, Anna. Every time I start a crab stitch round it takes me about 10 stitches to get my rhythm, but once I do I find it very meditative :)
Bethany says
I think I’m going crazy on round 16…I’m left handed, and for some reason I can’t figure out where to put the 2 hdc in between the trebles. I thought it was the stitch with the fpdc, which is what it is when you’re doing it right handed, but when I’m counting from the 4th stitch in the chain (where I’ve picked up my picot), adding 5 hdcs, I’m ending up with the fpdc being the skipped stitch instead. What am I doing wrong? Or am I actually even doing something wrong?
Dedri Uys says
Bethany, hi.
I just saw your photo on the Official CCC Social Group.
The 2 hdc’s should fall in the stitch after the stitch made into the fp stitch, as you ended up doing it. I think the photo must have confused you, because if you are left-handed it looks like my stitch falls in the stitch made into the fp stitch. But it should def be where you had your black arrow, not where you had your red arrow.
I hope this helps and sorry I didn’t see this sooner.
Dedri
kim says
Hi, enjoying this journey very much….learning a lot along the way…2 questions….on round 20 video instructs to do front post treble crochet but in written instructions it says fpdtr crochet….went with my instincts and folllowed written….turned out fine I think….second question….I am baffled by the number of stitches round 20, 192 sts…and then in round 21 it drops to 132 and then back up to 240 sts in round 22…..I am sure this is right but doesn’t seem possible….please advise….thanks
Dedri Uys says
Hi Kim. On the video tutorial there is already a note to say that she made trebles instead of double trebles (accidentally). If you have a look at round 21 you will see that there are quite a few chain spaces. These also take up space (and I don’t count the chains as stitches, but rather as ch-spaces). In the next round you work into these chain spaces, so your stitch count will be much higher again. I hope that makes sense.
Jennifer A Shepherd says
Only started this on Monday night as I’ve just finished two other projects and am awaiting on the next instructions for Crochet Crowds CAL.
Sooooo… wish I’d started this first. It is BEAUTIFUL! Just finished crab stitch round so should catch up pretty quickly, as that’s 25 rounds done in 5 days.
My youngest daughter is Sophie and I just know she’s going to love it forever as I do her.
Thank You Dedri Xxx
Your instructions are so simple to follow,
Jenny says
Keep up the good work, Jennifer :)
Angela says
Saw so many photos of this gorgeous piece online and fell in love with it. Starting very late, but decided to try it and am on round 17. I love it!! Thank you for sharing this, and for the concise instructions. I haven’t been crocheting long but the instructions are very clear. Excited to see the final outcome!
Meg says
I have made sure I have the correct t stitch count on row 18 and then when I follow the instructions for row 19, skipping the “chain” in the popcorn, I am coming up with 180 stitches, not 192. I have frogged down to row 16 twice and each time rows 17 and 18 come out perfect but row 19 is always 180 stitches.
Dedri Uys says
Hi Meg. It sounds like you are skipping the popcorn stitch completely. You should be working into it, but instead of working into the ch that closes the popcorn, you should be working into the first dc of the 5-dc popcorn (which you pulled the loop of the last dc through). If you work into the ch instead of the first dc, your popcorns will lean right.
I hope that helps,
Dedri
Kirsten says
I’m having the same problem, did you manage to fix it?
Mary says
Thanks for this fantastic CAL! I’m sure I would have never, ever tackled such a project without the CAL. Yet this is already the most beautiful thing I’ve ever crocheted! After starting 4 days ago, I’m on round 21, and I can’t enough of learning new stitches, taking my time with counting stitches, invisible joins, and color deliberations. Love it! This is a great way for me to get through the last 2 months of my pregnancy. I enjoy going at a leisurely pace, but I am super excited about those cute flowers I see in future rounds!
Helen says
Having discovered Sophie within the last three weeks and admiring it so much I was surprised to see such wonderful instructions, photos and video to help people like me who could never attempt such a pattern. With your help I am so surprised to have finished round 23. As I started so late I was wondering if the pattern and instructions will be still available until I finish the article! I have not done a CAL before ( actually I had to do research to see what CAL meant!! )
Many thanks to all involved with the project. It is far more interesting to do than the mile a minute rugs I usually make!
Jenny says
Glad to hear you are enjoying the CAL Helen! Don’t forget to share photos with us as you go along :)
Bobbi Kellum says
I have finished Sophie’s Mandala Pattern (Large). It turned out beautiful and thank you for the pattern. What I was wondering is am I suppose to add Sophie’s Cal to this pattern or am I done after the 36th row and start making another sq. of the same pattern and sew together when I have enough squares. Either way it will be beautiful but wanted to know if that is what was called for and then I can make up my mind if I want to keep adding on or just keep repeating the Mandala pattern. Thank you.
Dedri Uys says
Hi Bobbi. Sophie’s Universe is an extension of the Garden. It will be a continuous square with the Garden at its center, not an afghan made out of separate squares. If you have a look at Part 5 of Sophie’s Universe, you will see the garden being “grown”.
Bobbi says
Thank you. I will continue on with the next phase. It is just a gorgeous pattern, thank you for sharing this with us. I am always excited to see what the next row will look like.
Stephanie says
I just started this CAL last Monday. I love it! I have never done a crab stitch before, but I really like it. Working on part 4 now. I substituted black, greys, whites, and oranges (10 shades total) for the Stonewashed XL colors. So far, it looks great. Your instructions are fabulous. Thank you!
Dedri Uys says
Thank you, Stephanie. Your colour choice sounds bold and brilliant!
Alice says
I saw this CAL a few weeks ago, but was a little apprehensive because of all the colors, (i usually go monochrome, or stick with 3-5 colors). However in keeping with my theme for this new year of stepping out of my comfort zone and trying new things, I jumped in, albeit quite late. I just want to say that this is absolutely the most beautiful thing I have ever made! The pattern is EXCELLENTLY written!! I am no longer intimidated…in fact I woke up this morning and began planning a color scheme. If your book is written this well, I will most definitely be purchasing it to make puzzle balls to donate to the children’s hospital, as I have no children of my own. Thank you for helping me overcome my fear of lots of color! Stay fabulous, and happy hooking!
Jenny says
Beautifully worded Alice! I have gone the opposite way and gone monotone for my SU :)
Alice says
Thanks, Jenny. :-) My goodness, I think I could stay in the “Universe” and never need another pattern there is so much potential for so many beautiful versions! I’m going to have to do a monochrome one for my mom in a cream/aran color to go with her decor, and one in purples and teals, and one in…. ;-)
Minette says
Dedri, WHERE do you get time to do all this and then some? Love your dedication.
Mamma
Dedri Uys says
Thank you, Mamma. I’m being like Ouma Erika and Ouma Ans at the moment…never sitting still :)