It’s the final countdown! Week 31 and only 3 more squares to go! This week we’re working on “Soulmate” by Mervi Järvensivu of Pori, Finland.

Pori is known as a vibrant city of culture, you can get there easily by train, bus, car, boat or plane.

As a nature lover and owner of a little boat, Mervi enjoys leaving the city and driving to the sea and to the little islands nearby. There are many parks where she enjoys the forest, picking berries and mushrooms, and making a fire to barbeque. When it comes to staying in the city or heading to the beach, Mervi definitely prefers the beach, especially Yyteri beach which is an internationally acknowledged nature conservation area. Imagine six kilometres of soft sand to sink your toes in, to sunbathe on, and to admire the sea for as far as you can see! For golfers there is areal golf gem 18 scenic fairways offer unique golf experiences. My husband would be very happy here!!!

Although Mervi is originally from Finland, she is a world wide traveler and has spent the last eight years living in Essen, Germany due to her husbands job. She long’s to return to her beloved Finland and dreams of someday having a home on the sea!

Mervi learned to crochet and knit from her grandmother when she was as a little girl.  Ever since, her hands have never been empty, there is always something on her hooks and needles.  

Mervi is a tester and translator of patterns, always in awe of how the designers work their magic using different stitches to create their beautiful designs.  Her work with designers inspired her to take a leap of faith and design something of her own.  Her square “Soulmate” is dedicated with love to her hero…her father…who passed away just before Christmas in 2017.

You can find the written pattern here: Soulmate by Mervi Järvensivu

You can find the video tutorial here: Soulmate Youtube tutorial by Tania Leis

Extra Stuff

Check out our post on yarn requirements here.  Here’s what the testers used for this square:

Lynette:  Worsted/Aran, 116 grams

Marjolein:  Stylecraft Special DK, 47 grams

Silvana:  Herrschners Worsted 8, 84 grams

Aprille:  Stylecraft Aran, 78 grams

Micki: Worsted, 108 grams

Important Additional Pattern Info

Don’t forget you will need to add an extra three rounds to your square to achieve the final 48 st/side count which is necessary for joining. You can find the instructions for all squares here. Translations for these additional rounds can be found here.    The extra rounds will vary slightly from week to week because the squares vary in ending stitch counts so be sure to follow the directions for each square.

Soulmate ends with a 39 stitch count on each side plus one stitch in each corner.  You will need to add an additional 9 stitches per side for a total of 48 stitches per side.

Rnd 1:  Begin with a standing sc (stsc) in any corner chsp, (1sc, ch2, 2sc) in corner st, scIn each stitch to end of row.  *(2sc, ch2, 2sc) in corner st, sc to end of row 3 times. (43sts, ch2) per side

Rnd 2:  Slst to corner chsp, *(sc, ch2, sc) in corner chsp,sc in in each stitch to end of row* 4 times. (45sts, ch2) per side

Rnd 3:  Slst to corner chsp, *(2sc, ch2, 2sc) in cornerchsp, skip the first, slightly hidden st, sc in next 44sts* 4 times. (48sts, ch2) per side

We hope that you’ll be thinking of your own soulmates as you create Mervi’s square.  We’re in the final stretch.  Let’s see all your finished squares!

Happy crocheting!