Splashes of color on variegated fabrics. Modern shapes. Stitches that mimic embroidery.
Since we first we spied Dawn Barker’s dramatic assigned-pooling designs, we’ve been obsessed.

Now we’re collaborating with Dawn on a collection inspired by Art – 6 Tosh-style assigned pooling yarns that showcase Dawn’s remarkable knitwear designs.

Dawn Barker is the creative force behind the new knitting technique, assigned pooling. Through countless hours exploring the dynamics of color pooling and textured stitches, she developed this compelling knitting method to make the most of hand-dyed yarns. A lifelong fiber lover and fine artist, Dawn started Barker Wool in 2017 to share her hand-dyed fine yarns and clean, modern knitting designs with the world. She lives in Amarillo, Texas with her husband and two sons.

Invented by Dawn Barker, 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. Dawn’s assigned pooling technique has attained cult status in the knitting world and established her as a major innovator in the industry.

All MT x Barker Wool collab colors will work with Dawn’s complete library of assigned pooling patterns. Pictured here is the beautiful Float, a simple triangle shawl featuring Dawn’s assigned pooling technique “Floret Cluster Stitch” in the colorway Comic Book Art.

"I’ve been a fan of Madelinetosh forever, so imagine how thrilling it was for me when they reached out asking to collaborate on a new line of assigned pooling yarns! A little MT and a little BW shaken up to create the perfect pop art-inspired collection for use with any of my Assigned Pooling patterns."