Assigned pooling is a technique that has piqued the interest of the knitting and crochet world. There are many dyers who are experimenting with this dyeing method. So lots of choice out there. The designer who really brought it to the fore in the world of knitting is Dawn Barker of Barker Wool.
Your final product is the marriage of the dye method and the pattern. It all starts with the dye method. The idea is to dye a hank of yarn such that about three-quarters of the yarn “circle” is dyed in one color or set of colors. That part is referred to as the main color. The other quarter is dyed in a distinctly different color or set of colors. That part is referred to as the accent color.
When it comes to knitting or crocheting with yarn dyed for assigned pooling, you do a different stitch or stitch combination whenever you get to the accent color.
You’ll need yarn dyed specifically for assigned pooling to knit an assigned pooling pattern. Some dyers just use the initials “AP”.
Assigned Pooling Patterns for Crochet
- Playful Popcorn Scarf by Bonnie Bay Crochet
- Crescent Puff by Knitting Fairy Godmother
- Stonefield Scarf by Heather Stagl
- The Heartbeat Shawl by Kopko Crochet
- The Bubble Wrap by Kopko Crochet
Assigned Pooling Patterns for Knitting
- Dawn Barker’s Assigned Pooling Patterns – They are all awesome!
- Pools of Color by Deborah Bowanko – This beautiful lacy shawl was designed by Debbi and uses an assigned pooling colorway with a semi-solid border.
- The Long Way Round by Carla Hanson – A great first pattern for assigned pooling with just one skein and double-elongated stitches.
- Knitting by the Pool Ponchette by Carla Hanson – This is a 2-skein project with an assigned pooling section that uses double-elongated stitches and a section that uses a semi-solid or variegated colorway.
- Metamorphosis Shawl by Carla Hanson – Uses an assigned pooling colorway plus a semi-solid or variegated colorway. It uses two different assigned pooling stitches (double-elongated and a bauble stitch) along with some lovely lacy stitches for the other colorway. There’s nothing too difficult, but it is a little time-consuming.
- Turn It to the Max by Joanne Bint
- Daisy Chain Socks by Marilyn Woodruff
- Sunrise Sunset Assigned Pooling Cowl by Cris Platto This looks an amazing cowl.
- Puffapod Beanie and Cowl by Jenny Noto
What If I Want to Knit or Crochet “Normally” with Yarn Dyed for Assigned Pooling?
Have an assigned pooling yarn but don't wnat to knit an assigned pooling pattern. No problem, you can definitely use the skein for patterns that do not require an assigned pooling yarn.