Something I seem to recall, is other fiber artists mentioning that their attempts at random usually end up looking like a pattern. It's an interesting phenomenon, interesting enough that I did an internet search on how to create random stripes. Almost every web article recommended a random stripe generator, of which there are quite a few out there (very popular with the crochet crowd). For example:
A generator is easy to use, but my hesitation is having to somehow keep track of the colors as I wind my warp. I've done this before with a checklist. It's a little slow, but as long as I take care to not tangle the treads coming off the cones, it goes well. (For me, however, tangling seems inevitable.)
Advantages:
- Probably the best guarantee of randomness
- I could dress the loom back to front, which I prefer with my Glimakra
- I wouldn't have to figure it out myself
Disadvantages:
- I don't have a printer to print off the list, so I'd have to go to the library for that
- Or copy it off by hand
- I'd have to remember which color name went with which cone
- Slower (keeping track of which color is next)
- Thread tangling as I wind the warp.
The other option would be designing as I go. To do this, I could wind on multiple threads together and then pick them off the cross in a random manner as I thread the reed.
Advantages:
- faster
Disadvantages:
- I'd have to warp front to back
- Would still likely get tangling
- Possibility I'd not be successful in a truly random pattern
Obviously none of these is seriously monumental. And yes, I'm probably over-thinking it (but then, it's my nature to over-think everything). It probably even seems like I'm procrastinating (which I am to a degree as I finish painting the room my Glimakra is in). But I have to make a decision somehow.
Designing Random Stripes © 2026
by Leigh at Leigh's Fiber Journal
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