If you have been wondering what is Planned Pooling in Crochet, let me explain. It is a technique in which you work with just a single skein of variegated yarn to achieve color pooling.
There is no changing of yarn skein colors, you just need to make sure your stitches are lining up correctly and watch a pattern appear.
I have been seeing this planned pooling in crochet technique all over the internet and I finally decided to give it a try and let me just say it is so much fun! The way the fabric comes together forming this color pattern is amazing to watch.
How To Start planned pooling in crochet
Planned pooling in crochet is a method of intentionally arranging variegated yarn colors to form patterns like stripes, argyle, or geometric designs.
1. How to choose yarn for planned pooling?
While there are many variegated yarns available in the market, not all of them will work to create Planned Pooling in Crochet. Crocheters online have a compiled a super helpful list of pooling yarns that I referred to while purchasing my yarn.
I chose this Bernat Softee Chunky Yarn in the color Shadow, this is a Super Bulky 6 yarn that creates a nice chunky fabric.
2. What is the best stitch for color pooling?
The Crochet Moss Stitch is one of the best stitch for color pooling. I have used this in this Moss Stitch Crochet Scarf. You can also use the single crochet stitch in some instances, but mostly the moss stitch shines!
3. Select the Crochet Hook Size That is Right for you
The yarn recommends an 8mm L crochet hook but that one did not work for me. I tried the P and N size hooks and found that the N hook created a repeated pattern for me. So there is a bit of a trial and error to find the right hook that works for planned pooling in crochet. There is no one size fits all.
4. Define your Color Pattern
You might have never defined a color pattern before, and let me explain what that means. You want to make a small swatch of say 20 stitches, and then start working in moss stitch for a few rows. After a few rows, you will be able to see colors repeating- it will not be planned pooling yet
For me with the N hook my color pattern was 3 teal stitches, followed by 4 dark blue/brown stitches and then 4 light sand colored stitches. You will need to try different hook sizes to match the tension of your crocheting to figure out a pattern.
5. Calculate your starting chain number
Once you have a color pattern, use this website to see how the planned pooling would look https://mathgrrl.com/crochet-color-pooling/
I used this Planned pooling app on my phone more. In the app, I was able to tweak the number of stitches and colors easily and move the slider to see the pooling.
I found that 38 stitches was creating a beautiful planned pooling in crochet
Want to see this technique used in a real project? Check out my Crochet Planned Pooling Blanket Pattern
planned pooling for crochet: Mistakes + Tips
- The color of the ch1 between the single crochets does not matter: The ch1 between the scs can be a middle muddy uneven color. It does’t matter as this chain will get covered by the sc of the next row. Only the color of single crochet stitch is what you need to pay attention to.
- Maintain the correct stitch numbers: For my blanket, the most important for me was to maintain 3 scs of the teal aqua color. This is the bold color that pops in the colorway and if I kept 3 full scs in that color the rest of the colors pooled neatly by themselves- 8 (4+4) scs of the purple/brown/beige color.
- Use the in between ch 1 to control color: and maintain 3 teal scs. If you find that you have only got 2 teal scs, pull out the last few stitches and then crochet tighter- especially the ch 1. What I like to do is ch 1, and then pull the yarn back with my left arm to tighten the chain as much as possible. If the opposite is true and you have extra teal yarn after 3 scs- make your chains looser. Always use the chains to adjust the color pooling, don’t make your scs tighter or looser that will look bad and uneven. The chains will get covered by the next row and are hidden.
- Make your turn ch 2 tighter than usual: At the end of your row, (or beginning of a new row) Turn ch2 tighter than usual so that you have enough of that color yarn left for the correct number of scs.
- Sneaky TIP: Have too much yarn of some color remaining after the required stitches? Add an extra loop into the sc stitch itself and continue. Have too little yarn to make the required stitches? Skip the ch1 in between. If you skip one or two in between chains on a row nothing will happen- just make sure that the next row you are creating a new sc in the space the ch1 would have been and continue along.
Another mistake I made was to worry about the color pattern of my starting chain. I even tried to use a scrap white yarn but later figured out that the planned pooling in crochet will occur irrespective of the starting chain. The white yarn actually helped me define my color pattern better, so it did not go to waste!
Planned Pooling in Crochet Yarns To Try:
These are both great Planned Pooling In Crochet yarns that I want to try
- Red Heart Super Saver Jumbo Berry Pooling Yarn https://amzn.to/435wvC5
- Red Heart Super Saver Yarn, Zebra https://amzn.to/49JXlC8
Conclusion: Planned Pooling In Crochet
There are so many new and different yarns to try while planned pooling in crochet! Figuring out the right number of stitches and establishing a pattern in the beginning takes a bit of extra planning, but the final results are totally worth the effort! If you are interested in making more blankets check out these free crochet blanket patterns for inspiration!
