For my first post, I really have to talk about my first love, don’t I?
We were still travelling and I was trying to decide on a present for my parents’ Ruby Wedding anniversary, and as anyone on long term travel, money was pretty tight. I decided I wanted to give them a handmade gift and after a bazillion Google searches, I found lookatwhatimade.net and Dedri’s incredible design; Sophie’s Universe.
I’m always on to try and run before I can walk, and looking through the posts and seeing the videos which accompany the project, I knew I wanted to try. I had made scarves, hats and a poncho before, so I was OK with my tension and basic stitches.
I remember sitting in our rented apartment in Gozo, working out yardage and converting colours and finally ordering 33 skeins of Stylecraft Aran. I was also so grateful to be gifted a copy of Dedri’s book, which saved me from printing out and having to carry so much paper. What I did underestimate was the size of the delivery and as I collected my parcel from the UK, three-quarters of my bag was filled with yarn!
One of my favourite things about this project was that it visited 5 countries on our travels and holds so many memories. It was such a lovely blanket to hand over to my mum and dad and now has pride of place on their bed.
If this is a pattern you are thinking of starting, all I can say is go for it! If you know the basic stitches and your tension is consistent, you will be able to cope with this one. The pattern is broken down into 18 parts and each one is clearly written with photos and if you get stuck, the videos will get you through.
The colours I used for this were all Stylecraft Special Aran and I ordered: Emperor (x3), Cream (x13), Cloud Blue (x2), Plum (x2), Raspberry (x3), Aspen (x2), Spice (x2), Teal (x2), Khaki (x4) and Meadow (x2). This should also give you enough to complete the optional extra squares and Betty’s Beautiful Border – I ended up not doing those, as I ran out of time. If you find Khaki too dark, you could use Meadow there and order Saffron to replace Meadow in the list above.
One of my favourite photos of my Sophie has to be with the hashtag Scenic Sophie. I carried this blanket around Siem Riep to Angor Wat to take this one:
It really was such an incredible journey, both for my crochet skills and my backpack! If you were in two minds whether to start, I really hope this post will spur you on.
You can find all the information for this project on Dedri’s blog here and the yarn can be bought at Wool Warehouse as well as plenty of other online retailers.
Until next time, happy hooking!
Rob
4 Comments
Tiffany Davies
29th July 2019 at 5:40 pmMy mum bought me the book for my birthday – I think it was a hint (subtlety runs in the family!), so am hoping to get going on it this autumn. Considering some of the projects I’ve done, I’ve always felt strangely apprehensive to begin a Sophie.
Rob
2nd August 2019 at 8:00 amOh there really is no need to be nervous, the pattern is so well written, and the photos are so helpful. The book is beautiful too, you’re going to have so much fun making this 🙂 xx
Claire
11th August 2019 at 11:31 amLove your Sophie so much Rob, that was how I found you 😊 She’s still on my list as I’m saving up to make her in Scheepjes Stonewashed and River washed! How lovely that you’ve started a blog ❤
Rob
12th August 2019 at 7:51 amThanks Claire! Oh I love her in those Stonewashed colours and that’s what I was trying to replicate with these. She will be such a beautiful heirloom! Glad you like the blog – just a place for me to ramble on haha! xx