Planned pooling is a creative technique in crochet and knitting that uses self-striping or variegated yarn to create beautiful, intentional patterns — like argyle, plaid, or checkered effects — without changing yarn colors manually.
By carefully controlling how many stitches of each color appear in each row, crafters can transform ordinary yarn into extraordinary colorwork masterpieces.
Why Try Planned Pooling?
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No color changes required – the yarn does the magic!
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Customize color sequences for scarves, blankets, garments, and accessories
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Turn multi-colored yarn into structured patterns
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Learn to read your yarn and control stitch placement
How Does Planned Pooling Work?
Planned pooling depends on three key factors:
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The yarn's color repeat – how long each color segment lasts
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Your tension/gauge – how many stitches you get per color
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Consistent stitch counts – to keep the color sequence aligned
Getting this right can be a bit of trial-and-error… which is why we’ve built a free interactive Planned Pooling Tool just for you!
Try Our Free Planned Pooling Tool
Use the tool below to:
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🧮 Enter number of stitches in a row
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🎨 Add your chosen yarn colors (hex codes supported!)
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🔢 Define how many stitches per color
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🧵 Preview how your yarn will behave in flat or circular knitting
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🖼 Use the “Stitches in a row” buttons to add or remove stitches and instantly visualize your swatch pattern
💡 Try changing the stitch counts or colors to see your new pattern instantly!
Tips for Getting Started with Planned Pooling
◼ Choose a yarn with long, consistent color segments
◼ Swatch and count how many stitches each color gives you
◼ Use our tool to test variations before you start your project
◼ Try reversible or textured stitches for added impact
Planned pooling works great in:
◼ Scarves and infinity loops
◼ Baby blankets
◼ Headbands
◼ Table runners
◼ Amigurumi with gradient shading
