Random stripe generator for knitting and crochet

Make random, Fibonacci, even or ombré stripes for a blanket or scarf. Pick your colours and the generator lays out every stripe to fit, shows how much yarn each colour needs, and keeps track of the stripes you've finished.

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Preview

ColourYarn nameRowsYarn

Stripe by stripe

Tick each stripe as you finish it; your ticks are saved in this browser.

    Yarn is an estimate from typical gauges; stripes use a little extra for the ends you weave in, which the 10% allowance covers.

    Use your stripes in a free pattern

    Each of these works with any stripe plan from the generator. Set the project width and rows above to match the pattern.

    Want stripes that record the weather? Try the temperature blanket planner. Or browse all free patterns.

    Stripe styles

    • Even stripes: every stripe the same height, colours in order. Classic and easy to memorise.
    • Random stripes: heights and colours mixed up, never the same colour twice in a row. Great for using up leftovers.
    • Fibonacci stripes: heights of 1, 1, 2, 3, 5 and 8 rows, rising and falling. Natural-looking and never boring.
    • Ombré fade: solid blocks that blend into the next colour through thinner and thinner stripes.
    • Your own repeat: type a sequence like “A6 B2 C2 B2 D6” and it repeats to fill the length.

    Fibonacci stripes in knitting and crochet

    The Fibonacci sequence starts 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, and each number is the sum of the two before it. Used as stripe heights, it gives stripes that feel planned but never regular, which is why designers love it for blankets, scarves and sweaters.

    • Two colours: 1 row A, 1 row B, 2 rows A, 3 rows B, 5 rows A, 8 rows B, then back down: 5, 3, 2, 1.
    • Thicker stripes: multiply every number by 2 (2, 2, 4, 6, 10, 16 rows) so each colour starts at the same edge.
    • More colours: keep the heights in order and cycle through the colours. The generator does this when you choose Fibonacci stripes.

    Tips

    • Count your row gauge on a swatch and enter it: row gauge varies more between makers than stitch gauge does.
    • Even numbers of rows let you carry colours up one side instead of cutting them.
    • Lay out your yarn in stripe order before you start: colours next to each other in the ball basket look different from colours next to each other in stripes.

    Common questions

    How do I make a random stripe pattern?
    Choose “Random stripes”, pick your colours and the shortest and tallest stripe you want, then shuffle until you like it. The generator never puts the same colour in two stripes next to each other, and tells you the yarn for each colour.
    What are Fibonacci stripes?
    Stripes whose heights follow the Fibonacci sequence: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8 rows, where each number is the sum of the two before. They look balanced without being regular. The generator runs up the sequence and back down, and you can scale each step to 2 or more rows.
    How much yarn of each colour do I need for stripes?
    Each colour uses its share of the rows. Work out the total yarn for the project, then multiply by the rows in that colour divided by the total rows. The generator does this and adds 10% to each colour, since every colour needs its own spare.
    How do I avoid lots of ends to weave in?
    Work stripes in even numbers of rows so each new colour starts at the same edge, and carry the unused colours up the side instead of cutting them. For stripes taller than about 1 in (2.5 cm), twist the yarns together every couple of rows so the carried strands don’t form loops.

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