Color Pooling While Working in the Round by ELK Studio

Well here we go….I’ve been playing around with the color pooling while working in the round and found the Gumdrop Yarn by Red Heart Yarns is working the best for me so far. I have tried with other Red Heart Variegated Yarns and haven’t been able to reproduce the same effect yet, but I’m going to get more skeins and see what happens.

As with anything, color pooling in rows and in the round takes some work for sure. Even within the Gumdrop yarn, there were some differences you’ll find. I’m going to break it down what I had to do to accomplish the color pooling for each specific hat you see in the picture below, don’t worry.

If you are a visual person and would like to see me talk about how this happened, join me live on my Facebook page, Monday, November 7th at 11:00 CST. Be sure to share with everyone!

I’ll just tell you the material, hook size and stitch counts for each specific project as I go to keep things simple. The hats are worked from the bottom up. If you need to learn how to close the hole in the top of the hat, no worries. Click HERE.

Once you get started, you’ll be able to “see” the color changes and actually do some stitch counting to see how many stitches you’ll get with each section. What you are actually going for with these projects is to figure out the color sequence. Will it be the same for you? Maybe but maybe not. I’m not saying that you have to get the “exact” color sequence that I did. I even dropped a hook size on one of the projects to see if I could still achieve the color pooling because I wanted to be able to change the size of a hat to offer more options. Did it happen? Yep. I’ll let you know which hat I tested out the different hook size too. Be sure to read all the notes and information given in the blog post about each project. While it may “look” like the same information, the Notes Section will really help you.

Project #1

Supplies:

Red Heart Gumdrop Yarn, #4 Worsted Weight, 100% Acrylic, 113 grams/204 yards, Colorway: Rock Candy
H Hook/5.0 mm
Tapestry Needle

Abbreviations:

ch – chain
sc – single crochet
sc2tog – single crochet 2 stitches together
sl st – slip st

Finished Measurement: 14″ Fits 0-3 months

Gauge: 15 sts and 19 rows = 4″

Notes:

Ch 1 does not count as the first st. I realize your are working just single crochet stitches and these types of patterns are usually done without the slip stitch and chain one. However, in order for the yarn to fall “into place”, you’ll need to do the slip stitch and chain one. I have a unique technique to place the join on the inside of the project if you want to check it out.

When crocheting this pattern, I was able to achieve 5 “gray” sc stitches and 8 “color” stitches so this is really what I used as my “gauge”. Since this hat was a test, I decided to do 4 sets of the color sequences to design this hat. So when you see the pattern below, I will give a stitch counts for 4 sets of the color sequences. If you want a bigger hat, you would add 13 stitches for each sequence.

You’ll also note the pattern takes on a “lightening bolt” type looks. I was able to “control” the look by controlling my tension. You’ll get a better feel of what I mean once you start the pattern sequence.

Round 1: Ch 52, join by sl st to first ch, ch 1, sc in first ch, sc in next ch and each rem ch around, join by sl st to first st. (52 sc)

Round 2: Ch 1 (See Pattern Notes), sc in first st, sc in next st and each rem st around, join by sl st to first st. (52 sc)

Repeat Round 2 until you’ve desired length before decreasing.

Decreasing Rounds:

Round 1: Ch 1, sc in first st, sc in next 3 sts, sc2tog, *sc in next 4 sts, sc2tog, repeat from * until last 4 sts, sc in last 4 sts, join by sl st to first st. (44 sc)

Round 2: Ch 1, sc in first st, sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog, *sc in next 3 sts, sc2tog, repeat from * until last 4 sts, sc in last 4 sts, join by sl st to first st. (36 sc)

Round 3: Ch 1, sc in first st, sc in next sc, sc2tog, *sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog, repeat from * until last st, sc in last st, join by sl st to first st. (27 sc)

Round 4: Ch 1, sc in first st, sc2tog, *sc in next st, sc2tog, repeat from * until last st, sc in last st, join by sl st to first st. (18 sc) Fasten Off. Weave in the ends and close the hole in the top of the beanie.

Click Here if you need help on closing the hole.

Project #2

Supplies:

Red Heart Gumdrop Yarn, #4 Worsted Weight, 100% Acrylic, 113 grams/204 yards, Colorway: Cherry
H Hook/5.0 mm
Tapestry Needle

Abbreviations:

ch – chain
sc – single crochet
sc2tog – single crochet 2 stitches together
sl st – slip st

Finished Measurement: 11 1/2″ Premie Size

Gauge: 15 sts and 19 rows = 4″

Notes:

When crocheting this pattern, I was able to achieve 13 stitches from the “yellow” stitch to the next “yellow” stitch so this is really what I used as my “gauge”. Since this hat was a test, I decided to do 3 sets of the color sequences to design this hat. If you wanted a bigger hat, you would increase your hat by 13 sts.

I think because I only did 3 sequences of the hat that it lined up the yellow stitches well but alternated between the purple and blue stitch that you see in the photo. It was a total surprise when it happened. I wasn’t sure I was going to like it but decided to continue with the hat and loved the end result.

Round 1: Ch 42, join by sl st to first ch, ch 1, sc in first ch, sc in next ch and each rem ch around, join by sl st to first st. (42 sc)

Round 2: Ch 1 (See Pattern Notes), sc in first st, sc in next st and each rem st around, join by sl st to first st. (42 sc)

Repeat Round 2 until desired length before decreasing.

Decreasing Rounds:

Round 1: Ch 1, sc in first st, sc in next 3 sts, sc2tog, *sc in next 4 sts, sc2tog, repeat from * around, join by sl st to first st. (35 sc)

Round 2: Ch 1, sc in first st, sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog, *sc in next 3 sts, sc2tog, repeat from * around, join by sl st to first st. (28 sc)

Round 3: Ch 1, sc in first st, sc in next sc, sc2tog, *sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog, repeat from * until last st, sc in last st, join by sl st to first st. (21 sc)

Round 4: Ch 1, sc in first st, sc2tog, *sc in next st, sc2tog, repeat from * until last st, sc in last st, join by sl st to first st. (14 sc) Fasten Off. Weave in the ends and close the hole in the top of the beanie.

Click Here if you need help on closing the hole.

Project #3

Supplies:

Red Heart Gumdrop Yarn, #4 Worsted Weight, 100% Acrylic, 113 grams/204 yards, Colorway: Licorice
H Hook/5.0 mm
Tapestry Needle

Abbreviations:

ch – chain
sc – single crochet
sc2tog – single crochet 2 stitches together
sl st – slip st

Finished Measurement: 21″ Child Size 4-8 Years old

Gauge: 15 sts and 19 rows = 4″

Notes:

When crocheting this pattern, I was able to achieve 6 “black” sc stitches and 8 “color” stitches so this is really what I used as my “gauge”. Since this hat was a test, I decided to do 5 sets of the color sequences to design this hat. For a smaller or larger hat, you would need to increase or decrease your stitch count by 14 stitches.

Once again like in Project #1, I controlled the tension to get the “lightening bolt” appearance.

Round 1: Ch 68, join by sl st to first ch, ch 1, sc in first ch, sc in next ch and each rem ch around, join by sl st to first st. (68 sc)

Round 2: Ch 1 (See Pattern Notes), sc in first st, sc in next st and each rem st around, join by sl st to first st. (68 sc)

Repeat Round 2 until desired length before decreasing.

Decreasing Rounds:

Round 1: Ch 1, sc in first st, sc in next 14 sts, sc2tog, *sc in next 15 sts, sc2tog, repeat from * around, join by sl st to first st. (64 sc)

Round 2: Ch 1, sc in first st, sc in next 5 sts, sc2tog, *sc in next 6 sts, sc2tog, repeat from * around, join by sl st to first st. (56 sc)

Round 3: Ch 1, sc in first st, sc in next 4 sts, sc2tog, *sc in next 5 sts, sc2tog, repeat from * around, join by sl st to first st. (48 sc)

Round 4: Ch 1, sc in first st, sc in next 3 sts, sc2tog, *sc in next 4 sts, sc2tog, repeat from * around, join by sl st to first st. (40 sc)

Round 5: Ch 1, sc in first st, sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog, *sc in next 3 sts, sc2tog, repeat from * around, join by sl st to first st. (32 sc)

Round 6: Ch 1, sc in first st, sc in next st, sc2tog, *sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog, repeat from * around, join by sl st to first st. (24 sc) Fasten off. Weave in the ends.

Click Here if you need help on closing the hole.

Project #4

Supplies:

Red Heart Gumdrop Yarn, #4 Worsted Weight, 100% Acrylic, 113 grams/204 yards, Colorway: Blueberry
G Hook/4.0 mm
Tapestry Needle

Abbreviations:

ch – chain
sc – single crochet
sc2tog – single crochet 2 stitches together
sl st – slip st

Finished Measurement: 14″ 0-3 Months

Gauge: 17 sts and 20 rows = 4″

Notes:

When crocheting this pattern, I was able to achieve 15 stitches from one “orange” stitch to the next “orange” stitch so this is really what I used as my “gauge”. Since this hat was a test, I decided to do 4 sets of the color sequences to design this hat. To increase or decrease the size of this hat, you would need to add or subtract 15 stitches in the chain count given below.

Since I did 4 sequences with this hat pattern, all of the colors lined up perfectly instead of alternating the colors like in Project #2.

Round 1: Ch 60, join by sl st to first ch, ch 1, sc in first ch, sc in next ch and each rem ch around, join by sl st to first st. (60 sc)

Round 2: Ch 1 (See Pattern Notes), sc in first st, sc in next st and each rem st around, join by sl st to first st. (60 sc)

Repeat Round 2 until desired length before decreasing.

Decreasing Rounds:

Round 1: Ch 1, sc in first st, sc in next 3 sts, sc2tog, *sc in next 4 sts, sc2tog, repeat from * around, join by sl st to first st. (50 sc)

Round 2: Ch 1, sc in first st, sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog, *sc in next 3 sts, sc2tog, repeat from * around, join by sl st to first st. (40 sc)

Round 3: Ch 1, sc in first st, sc in next st, sc2tog, *sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog, repeat from * around, join by sl st to first st. (30sc)

Round 4: Ch 1, sc in first st, sc2tog, *sc in next st, sc2tog, repeat from * around, join by sl st to first st. (20 sc) Fasten off. Weave in the ends.

Click Here if you need help on closing the hole.

I hope you’ve enjoy reading about color pooling with the Red Heart Gumdrop Yarn! If you decide to try it out with this yarn or even another yarn, please share your results with me! I’d love to see how it works out for you!