Part 16 of Sophie’ Universe is a super short one…only 3 rounds. Use this “break” to catch up on your housework (ugh!)…or not…
Last week I asked you to share your Sophies with something spotty to celebrate “chickenpox month” in our house. Here is my something spotty. It is not nearly as spotterific as Phaedra’s Photo (which had a spotted dress, spotted tea cups…basically spotted everything), but this dress holds special memories for me as I wore it with each of my 3 pregnancies. Sophie is my yarny baby, so this memory had to become part of her.
The photo on the left was taken on a Piccadilly line tube on my way to work. The one on the right was taken the Sunday before Xandi was born. I look a wee bit scared there…
What an epic, surprising, exhilarating (and exhausting) journey this has been so far. You guys have made me feel rich beyond words with all your kind comments and encouragement. May we all continue to have fun as the CAL starts to wind down.
Sophie’s Universe Part 16
©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 16 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.
*This is the last time that you will be using Pink (medium size), and Blue Apatite and Green Agate (large size). Please see THESE TABLES for yardages.
Abbreviations
US Terminology Used (Basic US/UK comparison chart here)
- Ch – Chain
- Dc – 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
- 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.
- Persian Stitch: Sc2tog, with the first leg of the sc2tog falling in the same st as the last stitch (see Round 104).
Instructions
Rounds 1 – 101
You can find the links for Rounds 1 – 101 HERE.
Round 102
- If you are using the same colour, sl st into the next 2 dc’s 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.
*Make a dc in each of the 186 st’s across. Don’t accidentally skip that 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: 760 dc’s and 4 ch-2 corner spaces
- Per Side: 190 dc’s
Round 103
- If you are using the same colour, sl st into the next dc and into the ch-2 space. (Ch 1, sc, ch 2, sc) in the same ch-2 space.
- If you are using a new colour, join your yarn by making a standing single crochet in any ch-2 corner around. (Ch 2, sc) in the same corner space.
*Make a sc in each of the 190 st’s across. Don’t accidentally skip that first (hidden) stitch. (Sc, ch 2, sc) in the next ch-2 corner space.*
Repeat from * to * 3 more times, omitting the last corner on the last repeat. Join to the first sc with a sl st.
Stitch Counts:
- Total: 768 sc’s and 4 ch-2 corner spaces
- Per Side: 192 sc’s
Round 104 {Persian Stitch}
In this round, you will be making the Persian Stitch. This stitch is basically a sc2tog (single crochet 2 together) without actually decreasing.
The Persian Stitch creates a dense, textured band on the front of your work (Photo 11). From the back, it will look almost like a blanket stitch (Photo 12). The top of your stitches will curl forward. Don’t worry about that.
I have used Light Green in the tutorial photos to make it easier for you to see what I am doing.
- If you are using the same colour, sl st into the next ch-2 space. (Ch 1, sc, ch 2, sc) in the same ch-2 space.
- If you are using a new colour, join your yarn by making a standing single crochet in any ch-2 corner around. (Ch 2, sc) in the same corner space (Photo 1).
Make a sc in the first (hidden) stitch (Photo 2). Make a sc2tog, working into the same stitch and the next stitch (indicated with arrows in Photo 2). To do that, insert your hook into the stitch that already contains the first sc, and pull up a loop (Photo 3). Insert your hook into the next stitch and pull up a loop. There should now be 3 loops on your hook (Photo 4). Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops on your hook (Photo 5). This is your first Persian Stitch made. To make the next (and each subsequent) Persian Stitch, insert your hook into the stitch that contains the last “leg” of the previous Persian Stitch and pull up a loop. Insert your hook into the next stitch and pull up a loop (indicated with arrows in Photo 6 and illustrated in Photo 7). Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops on your hook (Photo 8). This is your second Persian Stitch made. The first “leg” of your Persian Stitch will always fall in the same stitch a the last “leg” of the previous stitch. Make 189 more Persian Stitches. The last stitch should fall over the last 2 sc’s before the ch-2 corner space (Photo 9).
*(Sc, ch 2, sc) in the next ch-2 corner space (Photo 10). Make a sc in the first (hidden) stitch. Make a Persian Stitch in each stitch across for a total of 191 Persian Stitches. The last stitch should fall over the last 2 sc’s before the ch-2 corner space.*
Repeat from * to * 2 more times. Join to the first sc with a sl st.
Stitch Counts:
- Total: 776 st’s and 4 ch-2 corner spaces {12 sc’s and 764 Persian Stitches}
- Per Side: 194 st’s {3 sc’s and 191 Persian Stitches}
So…a quick part, but a pretty frame, I think…
Blocking
If you want to take pretty pictures, block, block, block.
Annie’s has some good advice for Blocking Afghans and Other Large Pieces.
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, but cheaper. You will also need some of these Clover Fork Blocking Pins.
I have yet again lost most of my blocking pins, so I am having to use regular pins as well. And they work just fine!
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.
Ema says
This blanket is really pretty, im on row 101, im making it as a family gift. I just with the chains had been incorporated into the pattern better, as chains on the back are going to be easy to catch when in use.
Jenny Lowman says
Hi Ema. Sorry you are disappointed with the chains. It is a necessary part of the design, as I am sure you will appreciate. Maybe you can see them down with thread when the blanket is finished, if you feel they will get in the way :)
BW
Jenny
Chrissie says
PS: doing my Sophie in bed gave me the opportunity to actually see just how big she is-almost the top of my queen bed!
Chrissie says
The Persian stitch was amazing; I couldn’t believe how it worked up as 2 stitches that had one top, yet didn’t make the row smaller. It just didn’t compute. Mind you, I was doing it in bed suffering thru a cold so I’m surprised anything turned out
Dedri Uys says
Haha. Have you figured it out yet?
D
Avril Williams says
I have been watching the video tutorials by its All In A Nutshell. The Round with the Persian stitch is blurred and I can’t quite see how to work the stitch before the corner
Joanne says
I’ve loved doing this project, thank you so much for making it available! And for free..you’re amazing and generous. I have to say the Persian stitch would have to be the most boring round ever! Lol its beautiful to look at but a drag to do ;) ps I’m already planning my next Sophie, I just love it, thank you again.
Jenny says
So good to hear you have a second Sophie planned! Persion stitch seems to take forever, but sure does look lovely Joanne. Like little kisses lol
Miriam Varona says
Hola Dedri, feliz con Sophies, es una creación maravillosa…Estoy esperando la parte 16 en Español que se ha demorado mucho…Muchas gracias !!!!
Jan says
I am only in the 50 rows, just completing the fun Roses. I have loved every row up to now and cant wait to catch up. Fantastic insteuctions and photos, easy to follow. Well done Dedri.
Monica says
Even though I’ve only gotten through Row 52, I am loving this project so much and learning a great deal. I learned to crochet beginning on Jan 25, 2015, and after a zillion granny squares, decided my crocheting needed a direction, and that’s when I found Sophie’s Universe. I’ve had to take a hiatus to knit a christening gown, but plan to be back to it soon, even if I have to crank up the A/C to stay cool under the Universe!
Thanks for sharing your great creative talent.
Bobbi says
I finally got caught up and was waiting anxiously for part 16. I have so enjoyed doing Sophies Universe. Thank you so much for sharing the pattern with us. You are a sweetheart and am so glad you are not seeing spots everywhere. Hee Hee. Glad the children are better.
Lucile says
Hello Dedri, Hi Jenny,
This is it, well since last week actually, i have caught up. A little sad actually as it smells like the end is coming soon. This said, it’s getting pretty big and i’m only using a no.3. (Will you be publishing it as a book at the end?)
Anyway, this is very inspiring…………WIP………… ;)
Thank you so much again!!
xx
martina says
dear dedri,
it is finally time to thank you for your effort.
The time and creativity that you use to create such a wonderful piece, and it make possible for us to meke it for ourselfs too, and all this for free, is so generous and incredibly kind!
thank you thank you thank you :)
love
martina
Dedri Uys says
Thank you, Martina :)
Sheila says
I just want to say “THANK YOU”….I cannot think when I have enjoyed a project so much! Have a wonderful week!
Joy says
Hi, I hope 16 is not the last of your Sophie ??? I’m new to crocheting having been a knitter for 50yrs I decided I needed a challenge . I’ve been doing my Sophie from my enormous DK stash from years of family knits, all my children, family and friends so every yarn has a memory. Not the most colour coordinated project but we love it, hoping it will get big enough for our bed !!! Having so much fun learning all these new stitches. Using the video tutorial from Its All In A Nutshell and I must say she is absolutely brilliant, thankyou so much for this beautiful blanket .
Dedri Uys says
Hi Joy. Part 16 is not the last bit. There are 2 more parts, followed by optional squares for those who want to make a rectangle, followed by a final optional border.
Esther’s videos are amazing. It’s like she lives in my head. She mentions everything I think is important and her voice is sooo soothing. She has been such a blessing to me in this endeavour.
Joy says
That’s such a relief, looking forward to more tutorials then. I’m really not good with a computer but I did see a pic of a waistcoat someone had made with a Sophie !! I would love to do it but can’t find it anywhere since or a pattern ,have you seen it ?? Joy
Kate says
I’m not sure what a waistcoat is, but I’ve seen 2 wearable patterns from Sophie’s U. just today!
http://juliescorneroftheworld.blogspot.com.au/2015/04/sophie-inspired-circular-vest.html
and
http://jartajasminedesign.com/sophies-universe-adapted-circular-vest/
If you find anything else, please post!
Joy says
Brill that’s it ,the second one. In the UK we call them waistcoats ( well if your an oldie like me ) will definitely have a go at this one. Thankyou so much.
Glaudi Turner says
Dankie tog Dedri. I really thought this was the last and I am addicted to Sophie. This is a fantastic journey. Crochet is my companion since my hubby past away 8 years ago. I love my son (13) very much but the only way for me to have quiet time is to crochet. The follow on smaller blocks will be a saviour. Thank you for making all of us feel a part of your life with Sophie (or Suzie as my mother calls it).