I’ve seen quite a few people say that they are anxious about making Sophie’s Universe in a single colour. They are worried that the pattern will lose its definition, or that they will choose the wrong colour. I thought I would address these fears by sharing Jenny‘s Single Colour Sophie.
Resources
The Yarn
Jenny used 52 skeins of Scheepjes Stonewashed XL in Crystal Quartz (Available HERE from Deramores and HERE from Wool Warehouse) and a 5.5 mm Clover Amour crochet hook (US 9/I UK 5). Her Sophie was 167 cm squared. This means that her Sophie was 2 cm bigger than mine and used 2 more skeins of yarn.
Is There Such a Thing as the Wrong Colour?
I have seen hundreds of single-colour Sophies, in all the colours of the rainbow, and they were all beautiful. That does not mean that every shade of every colour will work equally well. The details tend to get lost in colours that contain a lot of black (like dark brown, solid black, dark navy, deep plum), so I would stay away from them if you want to celebrate all the intricate details of this pattern.
If you do want to use a dark colour and need a little bit of reassurance, may I suggest using the colour to make an afghan square as a test? When you have finished, stand at a bit of a distance and look at it straight on. If you cannot see the textured detail, you might want to choose a slightly lighter shade. I would suggest using either Never Ending Love or Prince Protea Square from the Block a Week CAL 2014 as testers. They contain enough surface detail to be accurate gauges.
Why Do I HAVE to Fasten Off Sometimes?
I have added this information because it is one of the most frequently asked questions about a single-colour Sophie.
When you make Sophie’s Universe, you will notice that the majority of rounds provide instructions for if you start with the same colour AND if you start with a different colour. Where I have not provided this option, it is because you will need to fasten off at the end of the previous round regarless of colour choice. This has been done for two very simple reasons: neatness and ease. Please know that a lot of thought has gone into how each round is presented and where it starts. I appreciate that this means you have to sew in ends, but trust me: it will take a lot less time to sew in the ends than to try and re-jig the repeats and fudge the starts in order to avoid doing so. And if you use the Invisible Join, you’ll be sewing the ends away as you go, so no nasty surprises at the end :)
There are 36 instances of enforced fastening-off, just in case you were wondering :)
Jenny’s Single-colour Sophie
I volunteered for the task of blocking Jenny’s Sophie, and I managed to take a fair few photos in the process.
Oh dear! That’s quite a harsh blocking!!
I have to tell you that I did NOT want to give Jenny’s Sophie back! I fell hopelessly in love with the elegance of it.
My eye kept jumping from one detail to the next…
…and without the distraction of colours, I was able to really see each detail.
My favourite has to be the large central flower on the ‘short sides’.
However, I also really like the way the details in the central mandala ‘pop’ in a single colour.
Here you can see my Sophie next to Jenny’s one. We both used Scheepjes Stonewashed XL, but I used the colour pack for the Large Sophie (available HERE from Wool Warehouse and HERE from Deramores).
I think it is absolutely amazing what a big difference colour (or the lack thereof) can make to a pattern. It almost doesn’t feel like the same design!
I wish I had gotten a better picture of Single Colour Sophie in her entirety, but unfortunately the only photo I have of her is when I was blocking her.
And to finish off, here are 4 of our 5 combined Sophies (not counting the very first ‘prototype’).
From top to bottom they are: Medium Sophie made with Scheepjes Softfun, Small Sophie made with Scheepjes Cotton 8, and 2 Large Sophies made with Scheepjes Stonewashed XL. Details for the colour packs can be found HERE under ‘Size and Materials’.
If you are one of those people who have been wanting to make Sophie in a single colour, I hope this post has convinced you that you should totally go for it! And if you have already made Sophie in a single colour, please feel free to comment below or tag me on social media.
You might also like having a look at the Sophie’s Universe Jenny made using three balls of Scheepjes Whirl. If you don’t fancy changing colours constantly, but still want a colourful project, using Whirl is the perfect compromise. You can find more details about that HERE.
This blog post contains affiliate links. I only link to products I personally use or would use. All opinions are my own.
Lynda Jeffreys says
Hi Dedri,
I have a ball of Bramblewood yarn 2500m/3 ply. What size needle do I use for my Sophie? I crochet with medium tension. This is my tenth one and every one of them are different. I just love this pattern!!!
Jenny Lowman says
Hi Lynda. Their website suggests for 3 ply anything from 2.5-4.5mm hook can be used, so maybe try a 3.5mm and test it out. It really is your choice to match your gauges :)
BW
Jenny
Carol Newman says
I would like to make the medium size Sophie with the large size colors. Can this be done?
Dedri Uys says
Hi Carol.
Yes, this can be easily done. You will need to buy Scheepjes Stonewashed (not Stonewashed XL!!), which is the same yarn as the large, but a thinner version. You will then need to follow the colour placement specified in the Large version. You will need 13 x Moonstone, 4 x Canada Jade, and 2 each of the rest of the colours.
Dedri
Abrielle Worrall says
Dearest Dedri,
In these times of social distancing and isolation, I find myself Googling crochet patterns as Bendigo Woolen Mills are still delivering.
I am apprehensive about starting Sophie’s Universe on my own without a group or my teachers guidance.
All workplaces, groups, venues & offices have been shut down excluding hospital & grocery. I am not on social media. I have ordered Sophie’s Universe book from library. Our library is in the process of implementing a delivery service.
I currently have 5x200g (360m)10ply cotton. According to my calculations at 360m p/ball I will require 11balls. I am choosing to use all 1 colour. Will book instruct me alternative, if making in 1 colour? I am finding it hard to locate pattern via your website for Sophie Universe in 1 colour.
Dedri Uys says
Hi Abrielle.
Don’t be apprehensive about starting Sophie on your own. Esther’s videos on youtube are fantastic if you get stuck. The instructions are free (part by part) HERE. The pattern tells you how to start each round if using the same colour OR a different colour. In the instances when it does not, you need to cut your yarn regardless of colour change as it will make for a neater finish. You can see Jenny’s Single-colour Sophie HERE.
Good luck and please reach out via the contact me tab if you need help.
Susan Sandercock says
Hi Abrielle,
I have only made a few crochet beanies before attempting Sophies Garden. I too love Bendigo Woollen Mills. I used Bloom to make a Sophies Garden blanket for my son, (finished. yay) and am now up to row 60 of Sophie’s Universe, also using Bloom.
I encourage you to give it a go. The instructions are awesome, the video tutorials are great. If you are still stuck, there is always you tube to help.
I only wish i could actually buy the book. I ordered it on line, but then they discovered they were out of stock. Unfortunately I have been unable to find it anywhere for purchase in Australia.
Daryl says
Doing Sophie in a single colour DK yarn, 3.5mm hook. Approximately how many meters of yarn will I need? Must add that up until now my crochet skills have been limited to very simple baby blankets but I am LOVING this. The pattern is so well written that it is almost impossible to go wrong – except for my lack of attention to detail which resulted in frogging two rows.
Jenny says
Hi Daryl. I would go with the medium size blanket meterage as the soft fun is generally a DK yarn. Hope that helps. Jenny :)
Catherine says
I have done an all white version of Sophie’s Universe up through part 5.. it made an excellent lapghan for a dear dear friend .
Next time I want to do will be either full version or the with flowers version. Not sure yet
Jenny Lowman says
Your lap blanket sounds lovely! :)
Kandis says
I’m new to crochet and trying to do Sophie’s universe with my mother in-law helping me. The issue I’m having is I’m stuck on the beginning at round 5. I’m doing mine in a solid color and suddenly there are no instructions for a solid color. I’m lost on how to start the round.
Dedri Uys says
Hi. If there are no instructions for changing or using the same colour, it is because you need to cut your yarn regardless to make the next round flow neatly. There are only about 10 times in the entire pattern where this happens. I hope that makes sense. Dedri
Johanna says
Dear Dedri and Jenny,
Now I’m very confused … I first fell in love with colourful Sophie, then I saw it made with Whirl and I fell more in love, and now this uni-coloured version … and my heart is once again falling in love lol and I don’t know what to do hahaha
I think I might just start with the book, and focus on my project queue first then I’ll see…
Any whoo Sophie is gorgeous, no matter what !
Jenny says
Johanna, the single colour Sophie was my first, and I learnt to crochet with her (and Dedri of course)! I was only talking at the weekend of making one in my own colour way, so I do hope you get around to making all of the varieties!
Jenny :)
Myra says
Where do I get pattern, spent days trying to find it, this revelry business is not easy to navigate, ready to delete it again from phone
Dedri Uys says
Hi Myra. You can find the pattern for Sophie as an 18-part tutorial HERE. You will find the link to each part at the bottom of that post under Timeline.