Welcome to Sophie’s Universe Part 1. I hope you are all super excited and eager to get started! If you haven’t already read the Information Post, please take a minute to do so now. It contains important details like yarn weight, hook size, and completed size, as well as a quick outline of what to expect and which resources are available.
It is worth bookmarking that post because it also contains a list of all 20 tutorials, which I will update with links as soon as each tutorial is available.
Once you have read all of that, make a cup of coffee (or tea if you must), find a cosy corner, and come join me for Part 1 of Sophie’s Universe. And then join me for Part 2. Part 2? Yes!! To reward you all for your not-so-patient waiting we are kicking this crochet-along off with 2 Parts!
Sophie’s Universe Part 1 {Photo Tutorial}
©Chris Simon and Dedri Uys 2014. All Rights Reserved.
The first 6 rounds of this Mandala were heavily inspired by Chris Simon’s Lace Petals Square (Block 16 of the Block a Week CAL 2014). In fact, if you take away the front post stitches and back loop stitches, it is an unashamed copy of Chris’ gorgeous design. So before I could even think about publishing this pattern, I had to get Chris’ permission to use her centre. Luckily she agreed. Thank you very much, Chris!
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 1 VIDEO TUTORIAL** by Esther Dijkstra from It’s All in a Nutshell
Translations
- Dutch Translation 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 Videos) by Natalie V. Alimpieva
- Swedish CAL Information by Emma Vingqvist, Agnetha Magnusson, Åza Karlsson, and Ulrika Larsson
- Arabic Video Tutorial by Banan Felimban
Materials and Colours
For the purposes of this tutorial, I am using Scheepjeswol Cotton 8 (available from Deramores) and a 3.25 mm Clover Amour Crochet Hook
Remember to check the Helpful Tips before starting. There is some important information about adjusting your hook size to prevent bulging.
Colour Packs for Sophie’s Universe
If you are interested in the colour packs for Sophie, you can find them below.
Wool Warehouse
- Cotton 8 (Small)
- Softfun (Medium)
- Stonewashed XL (Large)
- **NEW** Colour Crafter Pack (Medium) – You can find the details HERE.
Deramores
- Cotton 8 (Small)
- Softfun (Medium)
- Stonewashed XL (Large)
Colours Per Round for Part 1
| Cotton 8 | Softfun | Stonewashed XL | |
 |
 |
 |
|
| Round 1 | Canary | Canary | Moonstone |
| Round 2 | Light Pink | Light Rose | Amazonite |
| Round 3 | Pink | Rose | Green Agate |
| Round 4 | Fuchsia | Bordeaux | Blue Apatite |
| Round 5 | Light Turquoise | Light Blue | Moonstone |
| Round 6 | Light Turquoise | Light Blue | Moonstone |
| Round 7 | Light Turquoise | Light Blue | Moonstone |
| Round 8 | Canary | Light Blue | Moonstone |
Abbreviations
US Terminology used (US/UK comparison chart HERE)
- BLO – Back loop only
- Bpsc – Back post single crochet
- Ch – Chain
- Dc – Double crochet
- Fpdc – Front post double crochet
- Fpsc – Front post single crochet
- Hdc – Half-double 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.
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 blanket is going to come out all wonky!
Instructions
Round 1
Into a magic ring: ch 4 (this counts as your first dc and ch 1) and then make a dc {Photo 1}. (Ch 2, dc, ch 1, dc ) five times {Photos 2 – 4}. Ch 2 and join to the third st of the beginning ch-4 with a sl st.
If you are not familiar with working into a magic ring, this video tutorial by Tamara from Moogly is very good. Please remember, when working into a magic ring you HAVE to work away your initial tail very well. If you just cut it, your whole project might unravel!
Stitch Count: 12 dc’s, 6 ch-2 spaces and 6 ch-1 spaces
Round 2
- If you are going to use the same colour for Round 2, sl st into the next ch-1 space, ch 1 and sc in the same space.
- If you are going to use a new colour for Round 2, join your new yarn by making a standing single crochet in any ch-1 space around {Photo 1}.
(Make 5 dc’s in the next ch-2 space {Photo 2}, sc in the next ch-1 space {Photo 3}) five times. Make 5 dc’s in the last ch-2 space {Photo 4}. Join to the first sc with a sl st.
Stitch Count: 30 dc’s and 6 sc’s {6 Petals}
Round 3
- If you are using the same colour, ch 1 and make a fpsc around the post of the same sc.
- If you are using a new colour, join your new colour with a fpsc around the post of any sc from the previous round. You will make the fpsc exactly the same as the standing single crochet, but working around the post of the stitch instead of into the top 2 loops {Photos 1 and 2}.
*(Dc, ch 1) in the next 4 dc’s. Dc in the last dc {Photo 3}. Fpsc in the next sc {Photo 4}.* Repeat from * to * 5 more times, omitting the last fpsc on the last repeat. Join to the top of the first sc with a sl st.
If you started with a standing fpsc, you might find it tricky to join to it with a sl st. Pull the beginning tail of yarn so that you can see the top loops of the stitch. If you cannot manage to poke your hook through both loops, you are more than welcome to join to the FLO of the standing fpsc.
You should now have 6 Petals. Each Petal should contain 5 dc’s and 4 ch-1 spaces. There should be one FPsc between Petals.
Stitch Count: 30 dc’s, 6 fpsc’s, and 24 ch-1 spaces {6 Petals}
Round 4
Round 4 is simple, but you have to concentrate! I had to frog this round a few times because I either forgot the ch-1′s or I made the stitches in the wrong spots. At the end of this round your flower will probably buckle. Don’t worry about it! See Photo 4 below.
- If you are using the same colour, ch 1 and fpsc around the post of the same fpsc as the sl st join.
- If you are using a new colour, start with a fpsc around the post of any fpsc around {Photo 1}.
*Hdc in the first dc. This first dc might be slightly tricky to get into because it is right next to the fpsc. (Ch 1, dc in the next dc, ch 1, dc in the next ch-1 space) twice. Ch 1 and dc in the next dc {Photo 2}. Ch 1 and hdc in the last dc. Fpsc in the next fpsc {Photo 3}.* Repeat from * to * 5 more times, omitting the last fpsc on the last repeat. Join to the first fpsc with a sl st. Fasten off and change colours.
Stitch Counts:
- Total: 48 st’s and 36 ch-1 spaces {6 fpsc’s, 12 hdc’s, 30 dc’s, and 36 ch-1 spaces}
- Per Petal: 2 hdc’s, 5 dc’s, and 6 ch-1 spaces per petal {1 fpsc between petals}
Round 5
You will not be working into the hdc’s in this round. In other words, you will skip the first and last st of every petal, which will be the hdc’s.
Join your new yarn by making a standing single crochet around the back of the post of the last dc of any petal around {Photos 1 and 2}. Phew…I say “of” a lot in that sentence! Hehe. You are basically starting with a standing back post sc.
*Ch 2 and fpdc around the post of the fpsc between the petals. (Ch 2, bpsc around the post of the next dc) 5 times.* Repeat from * to * 5 more times. Omit the last bpsc of the last repeat. Join to the first bpsc with a sl st.
Stitch Counts:
- Total: 30 bpsc’s, 6 fpdc’s, and 36 ch-2 spaces
- Per Petal: 5 bpsc’s and 6 ch-2 spaces per petal, and 1 fpdc between petals
Round 6
- If you are going to use the same colour, sl st into the next ch-2 space. Ch 5 (this counts as the first dc plus ch-2) and dc in the next ch-2 space. These 2 dc’s should fall on either side of the fpdc from the previous round {Photo 1}.
- If you are going to use a different colour, start with a standing double crochet in the next ch-2 space. Ch 2 and dc in the next ch-2 space. These 2 dc’s should fall on either side of the fpdc from the previous round {Photo 1}.
*Ch 2 and hdc in the next ch-2 space. (Ch 2, sc in the next ch-2 space) twice. Ch 2, hdc in the next ch-2 space. (Ch 2, dc in the next ch-2 space) twice {Photo 2}.* Repeat from * to * 4 more times.
Ch 2 and hdc in the next ch-2 space. (Ch 2, sc in the next ch-2 space) twice. Ch 2 and hdc in the next ch-2 space. Ch 2 and join to the third ch of the beginning ch-5 (or the standing double crochet) with a sl st.
Notice that the dc’s fall on either side of the fpdc’s from the previous round {Photo 2}. Notice also that I am using yellow in Photos 1 and 2 so that you can see the stitch placement better.
Stitch Count: 36 st’s and 36 ch-2 spaces {12 sc’s, 12 hdc’s, 12 dc’s and 36 ch-2 spaces}
Round 7
- If you are going to use the same colour, sl st into the next ch-2 space. Ch 1 and make 2 sc’s in the same ch-2 space.
- If you are going to use a different colour, start with a standing single crochet in the next ch-2 space and then make another sc in the same ch-2 space.
Make 2 sc’s in the next ch-2 space. Make 3 sc’s in the next ch-2 space. *Make 2 sc’s in each of the next 2 ch-2 spaces, make 3 sc’s in the next ch-2 space.* Repeat from * to * 10 more times. Join to the BLO of the first sc with a sl st.
Stitch Count: 84 sc’s
Count your stitches!
Round 8
You will be working in the back loops only (BLO) for this round.
- If you are going to use the same colour, ch 2 (this counts as your first hdc).
- If you are going to use a different colour, start with a standing hdc in the BLO of the same st as the sl st join. {Photo 1}
Hdc in the BLO of the next 5 st’s and make 2 hdc’s in the BLO of the next st {Photo 2}. *Hdc in the BLO of the next 6 st’s, make 2 hdc’s in the BLO of the next st.* Repeat from * to * 10 more times. Join to the top of the beginning ch-2 (or the standing hdc) with a sl st.
Stitch Count: 96 hdc’s (worked into the BLO)
There! Now that wasn’t so hard, was it?
If you want to check your gauge, this is an excellent time to do it. Refer to the Gauge listed HERE to check if you are on the right track.
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karen elton says
i have a question am doing a mandala am thinking i should block it as i go as it is now square not sure what method to use. am using acrlyic wool. hope ucan help
Sheila says
I am late to the party but am looking forward in creating my own Sophie. Thank you so very much for the pattern. It is so beautiful!
Rebecca Sullivan says
OK! here I am about to start on #one. I don
t find any button on post to make your instructions print friendly. I’ll look on some of your other posts/ Love this pattern.
Jenny says
Look for the green ‘Print Friendly’ button at the bottom of each part, Rebecca.
Bree says
My boyfriend wants to learn to crochet, so that we can make stuff together. We’re going to make this CAL together! I’m very excited. Thank you so much! We’re each going to make one. I look forward to seeing how they both come out with our differing color choices.
Jenny says
Oh how lovely that you have a yarny man! My man just sticks to his car and playing on his Xbox! Mind you, saves arguments over the yarn stash I guess :)
Louise says
I’m an Xbox wife too , I’d be stressed out if my husband wanted to mess up my things. Like he is when I try his he has no patience so I get short shift! But I guess sometimes on a bigger project it could be fun , knowing you made a throw for your home together, or to see your little one sleeping on it years later x
Dedri Uys says
Haha. X-box wife…I’m a Fifa-manager wife. I love that Christiaan is trying it. It makes me happy to see each new row slowly forming :)
Ella says
Hi Dedri,
I got a late start and had to wait on my yarns (which came in two shipments from Deramores). Some of the color needed that had not arrived yet; I just match up the colors with another source. I am doing small Cotton 8 view. I am really enjoying this pattern (I am only on Part 8 versus Part 14). I have taken two photos. I also want to thank you for the tutorial which helps me when I am stuck or can’t really see a stitch placement. Again, Thanks a lots for such a beautiful project. I am a first timer. I taught myself to crochet and knit from books.
Jenny says
Cotton 8 is a lovely yarn to work with, isn’t it Ella? We are happy to hear you are enjoying your Sophie creations :)
gerda lesson says
Like to knw where I can vind the sup.Deramores?? Live in Darwin Aus. not very comp.sevy so for me it’s not ezy to get anything done .Hope you can help .Maby there are more people in aus. hoe like to know where we can get things , thank for your help if you can love all the work you do and like to start a.s.a, p
Dedri Uys says
Gerda, Deramores is an online store with free worldwide shipping (over a specified amount). You can find their link in my sidebar under “Support Lookatwhatimade”.
Brittany says
At the end of round 7 it says I should have 84 sc’s. Does that include the ch 1? I keep coming up with 85 when I count the ch 1 and I just want to make sure I don’t need to redo two rounds! Thanks so much!
Dedri Uys says
Hi Brittany. When you make single crochets the ch-1 is never counted as a stitch. It serves only to get you to the height of the rest of the stitches. You should have 84 sc’s, not counting (unless it is expressly stated) the initial ch-1.
I hope that helps.
Brittany says
Thanks so much!! Helpful indeed! :)
Rebecca says
I kept getting 86 stitches after round 7 and had to frog it a few times. Then I just eliminated the slip stitch in the next ch-2 space, and proceeded with doing the 2sc in that space. For some reason, this fixed the problem for me.
Dedri Uys says
Hi Rebecca. I am not sure why that would have fixed it as the sl st is in the same space as the first 2 sc’s, so eliminating it shouldn’t have changed anything. I am glad that it has worked out now, though.
Dedri
Shawna Newton says
I think this is, hands down, the most beautiful pattern I have ever seen and by what I have seen on FB, the color choices are INCREDIBLE! I LOVE patterns that are so full of life, where rows are done differently and the end result is so unique and utterly shines! Heirlooms, to be sure, and I can’t wait to get started on mine!
Jenny says
Heirloom is the term I had in mind when I started my Sophoe travels too! :)
Dedri Uys says
Thank you, Shawna!
Dawn says
Can you use a size 4.mm crochet hook?
Dedri Uys says
Dawn, if you read the information post you will see which hooks to use with which yarns. If you are using a double knit or light worsted weight, you can use a 4 mm hook.
Anisetta says
Please, sign me to your newsletters. Your creations are amazing.
It is so POSITIVE.
Thank you for your great job.
Jenny says
There is a tab on the main page that allows you to sign up to the newsletters using your email address :)
rubiakhawaja says
This the most beautiful work of crochet art absolutely in love with it I am saving this tutorial so as soon as I finish the current project I may start it immediately I live in Lahore Pakistan very far away wish I could come and work with all the yarnies and learn new things thanks to technology I can learn sitting at home too stay blessed
Jenny says
We are delighted to hear a new Sophie may be born so far away in Lahore! She seems to be spreading far and wide :)
Bonnie Lacy says
Love this!
goldenazura says
Iam in love
Monique says
Thank you for such a lovely pattern! I am having a great time making it!
The instructions are excellent! Thank you for your work! I am writing patterns for some of my inspirations as well and appreciate a well written pattern!
Much success to you!
Happy Crocheting!
Dedri Uys says
Thank you, Monique :)
phoenixmaid says
For a newbie (3 weeks) that was tough after frogging 5 times I finally did it 96 stitches on row 8 phew. besthead on over to part two
Dedri Uys says
Hi. The first bit is the toughest, I think. But once you get used to how the pattern is written (and are able to identify your stitches) it gets easier. Good luck.
gramapatti says
I’m looking @these patterns on my kindle and I’m in the Hospital. I don’t know how to download on this thing. I was wondering if you are going to leave all of the segments up? That way when I get home I can download them to my computer.Thank you!
Dedri Uys says
Hi,
All the instructions will remain on my site, so there is no rush. I hope it’s nothing too serious!
Sonja van Wyk says
Hi Dedri! I am one of those that buy yarn I like, without a specific project in mind! Last week I was invited to a crochet morning where most of the ladies were crocheting the Sophies Universe. That meant that I had to catch up in one day from part 1 to part 3! Luckily I had this very nice “Coffee Cotton” yarn that I bought a few weeks ago : it is a mix of cotton and pan fibre, a double knitting, but actually nearer to a chunky – I use a 5mm hook. I chose 8 of the colours and use them in the same order every time! This makes for a very interesting result : the corner leaves came out in “beige”, one of the tulip rows is light green and the other wine red (maroon). I am quite happy with the effect though!
I was taught by my granny to crochet when I was 3 years old and have been crocheting on and off throughout my life – I am now 47. This CAL has taken my crocheting skills to a whole new level! You have opened a whole new crochet world to me with this pattern. I have never before taken part in a CAL and I am enjoying this very much. Your pattern instructions are very detailed and easy to follow because you tell exactly where each stitch will start or end.
Thank you very much and I hope you have future CAL’s planned that we can crochet along with!
Dedri Uys says
Sonja, thank you for your lovely comment. The Coffee Cotton sounds brilliant. Please tag me if you post a photo in the Official CCC Social Group. I would love to see it.
Meg Maples says
Would it be possible to get the yarn packs available for Australia along with the US and the UK?
Jenny says
Meg, I believe Deramores post out to Australia on their website :)
Frédérique D. says
Hello Dedri,
I’m a French woman living in Luxemburg. I just received my pack of stonewashed XL today. Until now, I’ve been practicing a little bit with Sophie’s garden. Your designs are beautiful!!!!
I’d like to start directly, but I haven’t a hook 5,5. Do you think that a hook 5 would be ok too?
I was a very desappointed with deramores, because they charged me £4.95 for the shipping despite what was written on their website (free above 50€). I sent them a mail and I’m still waiting for an answer…
Kind regards,
Frédérique
Jenny says
Hello Frédérique.
I would say you would find a 5 hook s bit hard going. The Stone Wash XL is quite thick and the 5.5 suits it well. Mine is working up nicely with the 5.5. I am sure Dedri will comment further if necessary :)
Frédérique says
Hello Jenny and Dedri,
I was stuck at home yesterday with my children who have the flue, so I couldn’t go out to buy a new hook. And I couldn’t wait to start. So I used my hook number 5, and it seems to work.
Yesterday I left my house in a mess and I finished round 19! :o)
I realise I have sometime difficulties with the sl st at the end of the round. In the next row, I don’t always see what is a stitch or not. In the row 18, after a fptr, I had to skip a st, which was the sl st of the beginning. I should have gone one stitch further, but I didn’t see it, so I ended up with one stitch too much.
Have a nice day!
Christiane Gravenberg says
Bon soir, Frédérique (my french is somewhat limited), a 5mm hook will work if your tension is loose enough (which it seems to be) – but you can always change to a larger hook when you are able to get one (or order one from the internet). Enjoy Sophie – I only started yesterday
Esther says
Hello Dedri
I want very much to do this CAL, in fact I am doing two, one in cotton and one in stonewashed XL but how do I know when to change colours and what colour to use for what round. Please help. TYIA.
Dedri Uys says
Hi Esther. At the start of each part there is a table listing which colours I used for which rounds.
Dedri
Esther says
Silly me I see that now. My husband says I should be reading okay next week when I get my new glasses.
Thank you so much for your response.
Jean says
Arriving late to make a start at this, but loving it all so far, I am doing it in 4ply I have a huge stash of that needing to clear some of it out. This is my first CAL and I have always previously been reluctant to join in – but your instructions, pictures and assistance (I am bound to get stuck sometime and need the assistance) has inspired me to get stuck in. Thank you so much for posting such a wonderful project. x Jean (France)
Dedri Uys says
I am so pleased that you have joined us, Jean from France. Everyone in the group is extremely helpful, so just shout if you get stuck.