Assigned Pooling Obsessed!

• Posted on 8 May 2025
• By Anne
• 0

First it was socks. Then came gnomes. And now, assigned pooling has consumed my making life. Here are a few of my favorite projects, stitches, yarns, and yes, colors.

Oh my stars, I love this new technique! Easy, soothing, meditative knitting (and crochet), while at the same time captivating - holding your attention for the next color and stitch change. Like self-striping or gradient colorways, you want to keep going to see what comes next and when.

What's assigned pooling? As its inventor Dawn Barker describes it, "Assigned pooling pairs hand-dyed yarn with bold color changes and special stitches that 'pop' color transitions. The result is fabrics with splashy daubs of color that resemble embroidery." And while it looks intimidating, IT IS NOT! Here's the skinny.

1. Each pattern has a basic shape - cowl, triangle, rectangular scarf, etc. Dawn lays out the basic shaping of the piece at the start of each pattern. Of note - it's super important to read the pattern from start to finish before you start. Many of her designs use stockinette or garter stitch, so once you've got the basic shaping down, it's mindless knitting, until . . .

2. The pop of color! Each assigned pooling (AP) skein is dyed so that there is a main or base color, with a section (usually about 12 inches long) of contrasting color. As you continue to work the basic shape of your project in the base color, you'll periodically come to this section of color. And here's where it gets fun! Included in each pattern, Dawn gives instructions for a specialty stitch - perhaps a tiny bobble, nupp, floret cluster, spool stitch, or linen stitch. So many delightful stitches in her assigned pooling technique stitchionary. When you come to the pop of color, you stop working the basic shaping (knit, purl), and work the specialty stitch until the color is all used up.

3. Once you're out of color, you go back to the simple shaping.

And that's it! Easy peasy lemon squeezy. And so much fun! After getting into the basic shaping and a few color sections, you'll have it down - no need to look at your pattern until it's time to finish. I love this on a long road trip or on a plane, while watching TV, or just to shut off the world and zone out; whilst knitting, of course.

Favorite yarn. I love, love, LOVE Barker Wool Silky Solo. Not always a fan of single plied yarn, this one is the exception. With 25% silk, this yarn is a dream come true in your hands. The silk takes the dye a little differently, giving the colors a slightly muted look, which is so elegant. And the Barker Wool color palette is so broad, it's hard to choose. If you can believe it, those with pink were not my first choice. Whaaaat?! My first foray into Silky Solo was with the colorway Wild Violet, which is still my favorite. A creamy background with tiny flecks of yellow dispersed throughout, and a gorgeous dark lavender color pop that creates the appearance of little flowers when doing the floret cluster. Dawn's Calico shawl was my first project, and a great one to get you started on your AP journey. So much fun (and so pretty), you'll be a little sad when it's done.

New to her yarn base lineup is Silky Quatro - the little brother of Silky Solo. 4-ply rather than single-ply. I've just cast on a second Froth cowl with this yarn, and it's ever as much a delight as Silky Solo. I was sooooo tempted to use Wild Violet again, but decided to . . . wait for it . . . chose a yarn with a (yes) pink background. Froth uses two colors - an AP color and a tonal; alternated with each round. Mine is being knit with Adored - a beautiful soft pink tonal, and Shell - the same pink background color with pops of a rich burnt orange for the nupps. Another totally relaxing knit that you'll be sad to have come to an end.

Other Favorite AP Designs.

Daisy Chain. For all of you crochet lovers, and even those who aren't but are open to give it a try. This simple chain is a blast to work. Single chain stitches through the main color, then a fancy daisy stitch through the color. Make a necklace, an accent to top a shelf or curtain, a Christmas tree garland, or a giant bow to wrap around your house! I have this sitting in a yarn bowl next to my designated knitting spot - an endless, mindless, fun thing to do with my hands when I just need an escape.

Summerhouse. This lovely neckerchief combines lattice lace with floret clusters, giving it the look of flowers climbing a garden trellis. Written in two sizes, this is a lovely bias triangle bandana that will garner ooos and aaahs from all your maker friends. Requiring just a tad more concentration than simply knitting through the main color, its easy to memorize once you get going. I keep going back to this one, wondering how different colors would play out (I've succumbed and knit three of these).

Rose Garden Trail. I got sucked into this one after reading one of Dawn's newsletter. There was a picture she took while on a hike through the Palo Duro Canyon in her Texas home state that inspired a new yarn colorway - a bright blue lizard against the desert rocks and clay. Ordered the yarn and got started. Knit with three different colors - one AP and two tonals, this right triangle shawl requires a touch more attention, as you have to keep the three skeins orderly. One skein of assigned pooling yarn is alternated with two other contrasting tonal colorways to create a simple yet striking three-color garter stitch stripe punctuated by nupps. The colorway inspired by the bright little desert creature? Rattlesnake Rita - one of Dawn's Vintage Cowgirl Collection colorways.

I could go on and on, as Dawn has so many intriguing designs. Take a peek for yourself on Ravelry HERE. And don't be intimidated - some designs are super simple, and others will challenge you as your assigned pooling expertise grows. But at a minimum, give it a try. Or take our Assigned Pooling 101 class. You won't be disappointed!