Planned Pooling crochet top
Learn how to make a simple planned pooling crochet top with my free pattern! If you’ve been interested in planned pooling crochet, but never took the time to dive into this fun technique, then this top is a perfect project to start with! It’s made with 2 simple squares sewn together and available in size S up to 5XL.
Get the free pattern below or purchase the ad-free PDF version of this pattern on Etsy and Ravelry. The PDF is designed for printing and this way you can support me!
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About planned pooling
Planned pooling has been one of the biggest trends since 2018. In short, planned pooling is a technique where you work with multicolor yarn and intentionally change the color order to create a specific design or color effect. You’ll have to start with a little pre-planning: figure out how many stitches you can make with each color. After that, all you need to do is work single crochet stitches. You’ll automatically create this beautiful diamond effect without having to change colors!
About the pattern
This pattern is simple and great for beginners who want to give planned pooling a try. It’s completely made with single crochet stitches and of course the planned pooling color technique. This top is made out of two identical panels which are worked from side to side. After seaming together the front and back panel, we join in the arm pit and work in continuous rounds to create the sleeve.
About the special yarn
Katia launched several yarns especially made for the planned pooling technique. Their ‘Magic Diamonds’ yarn collection makes it very easy to create the most beautiful planned pooling creations. I’ve used Katia Magic Diamonds for this top. They also have Magic Diamonds Flash which is the exact same yarn, just different color options.
Planned Pooling crochet top
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Materials
– Katia Magic Diamonds (Weight 4/Medium, 3.5 oz/100g, 284 yds/260m)
3 (3, 3, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5) balls in color 51
or 230 (260, 280, 310, 380, 410, 440, 470) grams
– Katia Merino Aran (Weight 3/light, 3.5 oz/100g, 169 yds/155m)
1 ball in color 2 (black)
or 25 (26, 38, 39, 53, 56, 70, 74) grams
– Crochet hook 6 mm (US J/10)
– Stitch markers
– Scissors
Sizes
S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL
For reference, model is 1.69m/5’6″ tall with a 36” bust wearing the top in size S.
Finished measurements (in inch)
| S | M | L | XL | 2XL | 3XL | 4XL | 5XL | |
| Bust | 34 | 38 | 42 | 46 | 50 | 54 | 58 | 62 |
| Length | 21.5 | 21.5 | 21.5 | 21.5 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 |
| Arm hole | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 |
| Sleeve length | 1.5 | 1.5 | 2 | 2 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 3 | 3 |
You can change the length by adding or subtracting 9 stitches which equals 2.5″.
Gauge
13 sc stitches x 16 rows equal 4″ x 4″ / 10 x 10 cm
Stitches & abbreviations (US terms)
– st: stitch
– ch: chain
– sc: single crochet
* *: repeat what is between the asterisks as many times as directed
( ) at end of a row: amount of stitches you should have at the end of that row
Notes
– This pattern is written in US terminology
– This top is worked in two identical panels which are worked from side to side. After seaming front and back panel together, sleeves are joined in the arm hole.
– Turn your work at the end of each row
– Turning ch does not count as a stitch
– Each color section should be 9 sc. Optionally you can change your hook size. For example, if you get 10 sc per color, change to a bigger hook such as 7mm until you get 9 sc. If you get 8 sc per color, size down such as 5mm.
– If you want to change the length, make sure you’ll work with a multiple of 9 minus 1 (e.g. 44, 53, 62, 71, 80). 9 stitches equals 2.5″
– If you want to change the width, just work more or fewer rows until you get the desired width.
– Pattern contains instructions for sizes S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL. Directions for sizes are in parentheses such as “chain 72 (72, 72, 72, 81, 81, 81, 81)” whereas ch 72 stands for size S, 72 for M, 72 for L, 72 for XL, 81 for 2XL, 81 for 3XL, 81 for 4XL, 81 for 5XL. When only one number is given, it applies to all sizes. To follow the pattern more easily, circle all numbers pertaining to your size before beginning.
Planned pooling video
You can find a detailed photo and video tutorial about planned pooling here. Or watch the video below to see how I made this top and to learn how planned pooling works.
* Click here to watch the video on YouTube
Pattern
** Note: You can purchase the ad-free PDF version of this pattern on Etsy and Ravelry. The PDF is designed for printing and this way you can support me! **
Panel (make 2x)
Ch 72 (72, 72, 72, 81, 81, 81, 81), turn
Row 1:
1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across, ch 1, turn (71, 71, 71, 71, 80, 80, 80, 80 sc)
Row 2:
1 sc in each sc across, turn (71, 71, 71, 71, 80, 80, 80, 80 sc)
Repeat row 2 until row 68 (76, 84, 92, 100, 108, 116, 124) or until your panel measures 17 (19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31)”
Assembly
Lay both panels on top of each other and seam both sides together. Begin at the bottom, working your way up, leaving 23 (24, 26, 27, 29, 31, 32, 34) sc or 7 (7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5)” open for the arm hole. Repeat on the other side.
For the shoulders, sew 16 (19, 22, 25, 28, 31, 34, 37) rows or 4 (5, 5.5, 6, 7, 8, 8.5, 9)” on both sides. Neckline should be 36 (38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50) rows or 9 (9.5, 10, 10.5, 11, 11.5, 12, 12.5)” wide.
Weave all ends.
Sleeves
With hook size 6 mm and Katia Merino Aran, join yarn to first sc of arm pit. From now on we’ll work in continuous rounds.
Round 1:
1 sc in each sc around (46, 48, 52, 54, 58, 62, 64, 68 sc)
Repeat round 1 until round 6 (6, 8, 8, 10, 10, 12, 12) or until sleeve measures 1.5 (1.5, 2, 2, 2.5, 2.5, 3, 3)”.
Share a picture!
If you are going to make this planned pooling crochet top, please tag me @wilmawestenberg on Instagram and add this pattern to your Ravelry queue. I would love to see what colors you used and feature some of your pictures!
Questions?
If you have any questions about my patterns, feel free to join my Facebook Group. I created this group for you to share pictures/ progress, ask questions and to help each other out.
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I am going to try this with Red Heart acrylic since the person I want to make it for is very sensitive to wool and other fibers. If I learn anything new–such as I need to use a different hook, etc, I will add to my comment. Otherwise I expect it will turn out fine. I will make one for myself too, but from the real wool, since I want the smooth drape that real wool gives to clothing.
Ciao Wilma, 2 domande…non riesco a trovare traduzione video in italiano! 2 domanda: la catenella per girare è considerata 1 punto dei 9 oppure??…
Love your pattern!! And especially the planned pooling in a buffalo check pattern, which is favorite pattern this time of year!! I do have a question I hope you can help me resolve.
In your pattern, you mentioned that we should be getting 9sc in each color, and that if we were getting 10sc in each color, we should go down hook size. Wouldn’t that make our sc smaller, giving us more stitches instead of less stitches? And that if we were getting 8sc, we should go up a hook size, which would make our stitches bigger, giving us less stitches… Any clarification you provide will be greatly appreciated.
I live in a warm Gulf of Mexico climate. I have made many scarves and hats with acrylic planned pooling yarn. The Katia yarn is half wool. Would I have to worry about moths destroying this beautiful top if I used Katia? I have avoided all wool yarn combinations in the past because of this concern.
I would love to make this top, it is gorgeous, but I am allergic to wool, what other yarn can I use to make this? Thanks!