Happy Sophie Sunday, everyone!
Most of you know that Number 2 had chicken pox over the last 2 weeks. On Saturday Number 3 woke up completely covered in spots and this morning Number 1 is sporting some mighty big blisters.
To celebrate our “chicken pop” epidemic, I would like to ask you share your Sophie’s with something spotty this week. You can share your photos on Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #spottysophie. It will also be helpful if you tag either me or Jenny in them so that we can find them.
IMPORTANT: I have created some templates and tables to help you on your journey. I would like to highlight that there is now a table (for each of the 3 sizes) that details colours and amounts used per round. I will update this table weekly so that you can see how much yarn I am using and how big my Sophies are at the end of each part.
Sophie’s Universe Part 15
©Dedri Uys 2014. All Rights Reserved.
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 15 VIDEO TUTORIAL** by Esther Dijkstra from It’s All in a Nutshell.
Translations
- Dutch Translation by Dianne Baan
- German Translation by Maja Heidingsfelder
- Spanish Translation by Lynda Hernandez
- French Translation by Sandra Larvin (with Video Tutorials by Géraldine Cymer)
- Danish Translation by Tina Poulsen
- Russian Translation (with Video) by Natalie V. Alimpieva
- Swedish CAL Information by Emma Vingqvist, Agnetha Magnusson, Åza Karlsson, and Ulrika Larsson
Materials
See the Information Post.
| Colours for Part 15 | |||
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| Cotton 8 | Softfun | Stonewashed XL | |
| Round 98 | Turquoise | Bordeaux | Deep Amathyst |
| Round 99 | Light Green | Olive | Canada Jade |
| Round 100 | Fuchsia | Heath | Coral |
| Round 101 | Light Turquoise | Pink | Moonstone |
Abbreviations
US Terminology Used (Basic US/UK comparison chart here)
- Ch – Chain
- Dc – Double crochet
- Fpsc – Front post single crochet
- Sc – Single crochet
- Sl st – Slip stitch
- St/st’s – Stitch/stitches
- * – Repeat instructions between asterisks the amount of times specified. This is a hardcore repeat and will consist of multiple instructions.
- () – Repeat instructions between parentheses the amount of times specified. This is a lower level repeat.
Special Stitches
- 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.
- 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.
- Beginning Popcorn Stitch: Ch 3 (counts as first dc). Make 4 dc’s in the same stitch. Remove your hook from the last stitch. Insert your hook into the third ch of the beginning ch-3. Grab the last stitch with your hook and pull it through the first stitch. Ch 1. See this tutorial.
- V-stitch: (Dc, ch 1, dc) in the same stitch.
Instructions
Rounds 1 – 97
You can find the links for Rounds 1 – 97 HERE.
Round 98 {End of Butterfly Band}
If you made back post stitches in Round 91, I suggest that you make them again in this round. This will complete the “Butterfly Band”.
If you just made normal stitches in Round 91 (as I did in the Part 13 Photo Tutorial), this does not apply to you.
- If you are using the same colour, sl st into the next dc and into the ch-2 space. Ch 3 (counts as your first dc). (Dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in the same ch-2 space.
- If you are using a new colour, join your yarn by making a standing double crochet in any ch-2 corner around. (Dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in the same corner space.
*Make a dc in each of the 174 dc’s across, being careful not to skip the first (hidden) stitch. (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in the next ch-2 corner space.*
Repeat from * to * 3 more times, omitting the last corner on the last repeat. Join to the top of the beginning ch-3 (or the standing double crochet) with a sl st.
Stitch Counts:
- Total: 712 dc’s and 4 ch-2 corner spaces
- Per Side: 178 dc’s
Round 99 {Leaves}
- If you are using the same colour, sl st into the next dc and into the ch-2 space. (Ch 3, dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in the same ch-2 space.
- If you are using a new colour, join your yarn by making a standing double crochet in any ch-2 corner around. (Dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in the same corner space (Photo 1).
*Skip the first (hidden) stitch (indicated with an arrow in Photo 1). Dc in the next 3 st’s (Photo 2). Skip the next st. (Dc, ch 1, dc) in the next st. This is your first V-stitch made (Photo 3).
(Skip the next st. Dc in the next 3 st’s. Skip the next st. Make a V-stitch in the next st) 28 times (Photo 4). There should now be 4 st’s left before the corner. Skip the next st. Dc in the last 3 st’s. (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in the next ch-2 corner space (Photo 5).*
Repeat from * to * 3 more times, omitting the last corner on the last repeat. Join to the top of the beginning ch-3 (or the standing double crochet) with a sl st.
Stitch Counts:
- Total: 492 st’s and 4 ch-2 corner spaces {116 V-stitches and 376 dc’s}
- Per Side: 123 st’s {29 V-st’s and 94 dc’s per side}
Round 100 {Popcorns}
In this round you will be working into the ch-1 spaces of each V-stitch.
Before we get started, let’s talk about those popcorn stitches. Just like in previous rounds the popcorn stitches are closed with a ch st. This ch stitch is part of the popcorn stitch! When you are instructed to ch 5 after each popcorn stitch that ch-5 does not include the ch used to close the popcorn stitch.
- If you are using the same colour, sl st into the next dc.
- If you are using a new colour, join your yarn by making a sl st into the last dc of any side (Photo 1).
Make a Beginning Popcorn (see Special Stitches) – Photo 2.
*Ch 5 (Photo 2). This will be your ch-5 corner space. Skip the ch-2 space and the first dc of the next side. Make a Popcorn Stitch in the next dc (Photos 4 and 5).
(Ch 5 and make a Popcorn in the ch-1 space of the next V-stitch) 29 times (Photos 5 and 6). Ch 5. Skip the next 4 dc’s after the last V-stitch and make a Popcorn Stitch in the next stitch, which should be the last dc before the ch-2 corner space (indicated with an arrow in Photo 7 and illustrated in Photo 8).*
Repeat from * to * 3 more times, omitting the last Popcorn on the last repeat. Join to the top of the first Popcorn with a sl st.
Photo 9 shows the Popcorns on either side of the ch-5 corner space.
Stitch Counts:
- Total: 124 Popcorns and 124 ch-5 spaces – including ch-5 corner spaces
- Per Side: 31 Popcorns and 30 ch-5 spaces per side – not including the ch-5 corner space
Round 101
- If you are using the same colour, sl st into the next corner ch-5 space. (Ch 1, sc) into the ch-5 space.
- If you are using a new colour, join your yarn by making a standing single crochet in any corner ch-5 space (Photo 1).
* Working in front of the ch-5 space, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) into the ch-2 space from Round 99 (Photo 2). Make a fpsc around the top of the next Popcorn (Photos 3 and 4). Sc in the next ch-5 space (Photo 5). Working in front of the ch-5 space, dc in the next 3 dc’s from Round 99. Dc in the first dc of the next V-stitch (indicated with arrows in Photo 5 and illustrated in Photos 6 and 7).
(Make a fpsc around the top of the next Popcorn. Sc in the next ch-5 space. Working in front of the ch-5 space, dc in the 3 dc’s from Round 99 between V-stitches. Dc in the first dc of the next V-stitch) 28 times (Photo 8). There should now be one ch-5 space left before the corner ch-5 space.
Make a fpsc around the top of the next Popcorn. Sc into the next ch-5 space. Working in front of the ch-5 space, dc in the next 4 dc’s from Round 99 (Photo 9). Make a fpsc around the top of the last Popcorn. Sc into the corner ch-5 space.*
Repeat from * to * 3 more times, omitting the last sc on the last repeat. Join to the first sc with a sl st.
At the end of this round you should have 1 fpsc in each Popcorn Stitch, and (sc, 4 dc) between Popcorn Stitches. You will also have four ch-2 corner spaces. Count your stitches to make sure that you didn’t accidentally miss any stitches.
Stitch Counts:
- Total: 744 st’s and 4 ch-2 corner spaces {124 sc’s, 124 fpsc’s, and 496 dc’s}
- Per Side: 186 st’s {31 sc’s, 31 fpsc’s, and 124 dc’s}
The ch-5 spaces between Popcorns should be to the back of your work (see the photo of the back below). These ch-5 spaces don’t bother me, but if they bother you, feel free to work over them in the next round. It just won’t look as neat as if you leave them behind your work.
To Block or Not to Block
It is entirely up to you, but if you want to take a pretty picture, block, block, block.
This part of the pattern was tested by Kimberly Slifer, Claire Martin, Maja Heidingsfelder, Lynda Hernandez, Susan Wilkes-Baker, Venetia Smith, and Dianne Baan.
This blog post contains affiliate links. I only link to products I personally use or would use. All opinions are my own.
Susy says
Getting more excited as I get closer to the end.
I’ve been crocheting for 60 years amd this is the most involved project that
I’ve ever made.
I’ve been working on it for 9 months, just am hour or so a day and I’m just finishing row 97.
Thank you so much for this pattern and all of your hints.
Susy
Jenny Lowman says
Well done Susy! Are you trying the Charlotte’s Universe next? :)
Hayden says
Hi Dedri- I started Sophie right as i started university in 2018, my first large crochet project ever as a beginner having learned just the single and double crochet, and am finally nearing the end over three years later (with many months of having put it down in between). She has been an invaluable friend to me in the turbulent times since- i’m able to look at specific rounds and remember exactly what I was doing and feeling years ago, and when I have children I imagine i’ll be able to do the same, pointing to her and showing what I was up to in college during the pandemic. I chose my own colorway based on what yarn I could buy for cheap and what I had laying around- I regret many of the decisions I made there! But what I’ve learned is regardless of how the outcome looks, the most valuable thing is what’s gained in the process, and this process has been an opportunity for incredible growth for me. And all of this was only possible because of the care and effort you’ve put into making this pattern as clear and easy to follow as it is! Incredibly grateful for the work you’ve put in here, and just as proud of myself. Thanks and hope you’re well!
Jenny Lowman says
How lovely to hear your Sophie experience, Hayden! We all have a special relationship with this beautiful blanket :)
Sophie says
Hi Dedri!
This is my Covid lockdown project and I wanted to say thank you for it. I bought a big batch of yarn from goodwill because I wasn’t sure if I would be able to do it, and now I’m having a lot of fun making my colors work with what I bought without running out.
Just a few more rounds!
Dedri Uys says
Hi Sophie,
I am so happy to hear that you are enjoying the journey! I would love to see how she turns out x
Deborah says
Argh…just ran out of the color I need for round 98…18″ short of completing the round. last time this color is needed. Had to order in-using Scheepjes River Washed-not stocked at LYS…
options are: order 1 new skein (but then I will end of ordering all the yarn for Ubuntu to justify the shipping cost!!! so that’s an expensive option teehee
or redo round tightly in dc…not sure I could make up 18″ over this round just with tighter crocheting-that might bunch Sophie.
or I could I frog and redo round 98 in hdc? would that be tall enough? or what about 1 dc/1 hdc? too bumpy? …any thoughts?
Dedri Uys says
Hi. I would just do it in hdc. It won’t make the world of difference :) Good luck and let me know how you get on x
Brenda says
Hi DedrI
I just wanted to drop you a line to let you know I am on my third Sophie’s garden I love this pattern
Dedri Uys says
Thank you, Brenda!!
Dolly Rodriguez says
Thank you Dedri for this amazing pattern , it’s much more than that to me. It was therapy, and this group activity was just what I needed. I am terrible reading patterns but I could read yours. I used all the video tutorials as I truly enjoyed the visual learning . I’ve taught family, friends and customers to crochet and I love sharing this craft. You are truly blessed and have given a gift that will be treasured. Thank you again, Dolly (ps I am the one with the Rebel Sophie with thirteen points in the center and had to count and adjust my stitches for many rows to get leveled out, but it worked and I took 3rd at fair with her)
Dedri Uys says
Hi Dolly. I like that: rebel Sophie! I am very glad that you managed to get your stitch count right after that little hiccup :)
Carol says
I’m sorry I didn’t see these comments sooner….Years ago, when my little ones all had chicken-pox – one at a time and they all followed in turn, I was advised by a grandmother to use oatmeal baths. They worked well!
I just put regular rolled oats in the blender and blended til it was powder – add about a cup or so to the bathwater. Helped immensely with the itching and they were able to sleep much better at night.
Hope this is of help to someone in the future.
Betty Parker says
Hey, its me again. Just wanted to give you an update on my amount of yarn, just in case it might help others. I even dropped down a hook size to do this (using a size H) in hopes I would be close to gauge. However at this point I don’t have but one whole skein of yarn expect Garnet – from the starting order. As I already mentioned I did put in a second order of almost every color. At this point it takes a bit more that one skein to go around. So unless you can give information of how many rows of a color is left I will wait until the end and put in another order. It will be hard to wait but I am sure it will be worth it. I am very sure it is hard to figure out amounts of yarn needed on such a large project. Thanks again for all the hard work you have put in to this.
I would not have worried you with this, but I got to thinking others might be in the same boat.
Hope your boys are all well. I have 3 sons too that all grown now, but I remember them being sick at the same time and it is hard on the Mom.
Catherine says
Hi – I’m in a similar boat. I have just started my last skein of moonstone and have already ordered extra lemon and one of the blues. I don’t really want to pay postage though, so I’m going to wait for a couple of weeks and see where I am with what I have left. Just loving, loving, loving this CAL!
Betty Parker says
Postage was the reason I ordered as many colors on my second order as I did. If you order enough there is no postage. Also the reason I will be waiting if I run out again. That is also where it would be helpful to know how many rounds of what color there might be. It takes a skein plus just a like more to go around at this point.
But it is worth it to have the pleasure of making this afghan. I have such a feeling of accomplishment when I look at what I have done so far.
Dedri Uys says
Betty, have you had a look at tables I supplied in the Information Post? For the last 3 parts I will be using approx. 400 meters of moonstone, 130 meters of Canada Jade, 45 meters of Blue Apatite, 60 meters of Green Agate, 75 meters of Corrundum Ruby, and 83 meters of Garnet. Because I haven’t made these rounds yet, the amounts are just predictions. You will need more than me, but I cannot tell you how much, because I do not know how much more you are using per round.
I am sharing this information cautiously, because I have not made the last 3 parts of the Large version yet and do not really want to commit myself to an answer that is no more than an educated guess. But I realize that you want to order your yarn, so I am trying to help.
I hope this will be acceptable for you,
Dedri
Betty Parker says
No problem. I can wait until it is all done at this point. And yes I loved your chart. You did a lot of work getting that all figured out.
I have some other projects to keep me busy while waiting. However yours is my favorite one. Looking forward to next step.
Dedri Uys says
Thank you, Betty. Won’t be much longer :)
Mary says
I absolutely love Sophie! I started late and have been playing catch up until this week. This is the first time I have had to wait for the next part and I can barely stand it! I had to start a baby blanket to keep my hands and mind occupied while I wait. Excited to see what’s next! I was putting off blocking but she started getting looser in the middle and tighter towards the edges with all the sc work. I finally blocked her and she looks so much better! Just like everyone else, I am amazed at the design and creativity of Sophie, she is truly a work of art! I so appreciate the excellent directions, landmark stitch counts and photos that help everyone to follow this pattern.
Jenny says
We are happy you are enjoying creating your own Sophie-filled universe :)
Angelica says
Hi Dedri! Lots of things to tell you today, first things first: hope/wish you and your kids feel much better, if not really well, by now.
Then… I love this CAL… you may not imagine how much! Some nights I can’t stop… it’s addictive, you know! I keep saying: ‘just one more row’ and becomes the never ending row! [I’m the one who had promised to never-never again get involved in making a large blanket, ha!]
It’s my first CAL really, ’cause I started another one a couple of months ago but couldn’t follow with it in time ( I had a long and intense flare of arthritis that added to my fibromyalgia and other ailments completely knocked me out for some time).
I’m afraid I won’t be able to finish this one by May but, in return , I will have at least 3 in the end. As I couldn’t find the yarn I wanted, I started one with some skeins I had from previous projects I had never started (shame on me);-)… buuut they are polyester and after finishing part 4 I had a sort of long deep burn on my forefinger and had got sick of sticky band aids so I stopped it …to take it now and then and finish it -some day- as a throw.
Then I went and bought some cotton yarn… although they didn’t have the colours I wanted, it’s coming out quite nice… it will be a great Christmas present for a fiend. I’ve decided I’ll wait and see what you tell us about the quantities and order it from Deramores UK… I expect they’ll still have it -can’t order it fron the USA ’cause customs taxes make them too expensive, they almost double the price… grrrr
Love and kisses from Spain… by the way, excuse me for my English, please … not my language and the lack of practice has made it quite rusty, I’m afraid.
Betty Parker says
I have really found so much enjoyment from working on Sophie’s Universe. Loved looking at the Deep Amethyst on the Moon Stone. The bad news is I ran out on the 4th side. The good news is I ordered extra skeins of almost every color when I ran out of the Lemon Quartz. Is there any way you could let us know when we have finished with a color? If not I will wait until the end and see how much I need to order, if any.
Like many others I would like to say “Thank You” for all the hard work you have put into this project. Well done on the chart of colors used and sizes.
Karen Mehrtens says
I love this CAL! This is the first one I have ever done and though it is a challenge, I am having a great time doing it. So soory to hear about you and your children being sick. I am sending prayers that you all will be better soon. Thank you for all your hard work in making this CAL possible for all of us that are making it. GOD Bless you all with good health and happiness.
Dedri Uys says
Thank you, Karen. On a positive note, I get to take 2 days annual leave. On a negative note, I get to spend those two days fetching medicine and juice and snacks. On a positive note, I get to crochet in between and I get lots of cuddles. Positive wins :)
Janet Amyes says
Hi Very sorry to hear you and your children arnt well i do hope you all feel better real soon xx
ELmarie says
Hi
My sympathy with you and the kiddies. Just finished chickenpox around here about 3 weeks ago. Also first my sister’s 10 year old, then my 8 year old granddaughter and then my 19 months old grandson. What a business in all 8 weeks of chickenpox at home. My grandson, Dante though had it the worst. He was feverish for more than 5 days. Was allergic to calamine lotion and would not sleep or rest. Only after my daughter realised that after 3 weeks of calimine lotion that her hands was so dry from the stuff, she bathed the little one and took aquas cream rubbed him full of that, he got peacefull and slept almost a whole day. So while they say one must keep it as dry as possible, this did not work for him. Luckily we don’t se any scars. Unfortunitely for my granddaughter, she is left with a tiny scar almost right between her eyes. Luckily it is not a big scar and I hope with time it will fade.
I hope your little ones will get better soon.
Dedri Uys says
That sounds rough, Elmarie. Our doctor has actually advised that we mix half aqueous with half calamine, so that’s what we’ve done. Anti-itching moisturiser all in one.
Rachel says
Yeah… more flowers/buds… and a photo of the back to reassure us. Thank you so much .