AutoScarf is a project for crafters and math-curious people to make their own algorithmic scarves. No expertise required — just yarn and curiosity.
Welcome
Hello and welcome! AutoScarf is a community project for making "scarves that design themselves" using algorithms. The colors of each stitch are determined by simple mathematical rules so that the pattern grows naturally, with each row determining the next.
You can use our patterns and design tools to make your own unique algorithmic scarf. You don't need to be a mathematician or an expert crafter. The algorithms are easy to implement by hand, and the techniques only involve basic stitches. We'll provide everything you need to get started, including complete written patterns to follow step-by-step. When you're ready to go further, our interactive design app lets you create your own unique algorithms.
History
The AutoScarf project grew out of our last community craft project, Granny Life. In that project, people from all over the world crocheted custom granny squares with motifs generated by a custom algorithm. Everyone's granny squares became part of a large-scale collective artwork that was accepted into the art exhibition Creation: Between Art and Mathematics at Maison Poincaré in Paris, France.
Granny Life was a very precise, controlled project. Crafters chose their motifs from a pre-determined selection created by an algorithm, and then stitched their squares from charts using a precise pattern. Every square had to meet specific standards for size, color, yarn, and motif, because we were all working toward one shared artwork. And everything had to be perfect and work together, because that artwork was going to hang in a gallery in Paris.
Your Scarf, Your Rules
The AutoScarf project is different. Now we get to play. Each person makes their own scarf, in whatever yarn and stitch they want, at whatever pace works for them. There's no crochet police, and everyone gets to keep their scarf and wear it around. You can follow a pattern exactly, or you can experiment, change our designs, make mistakes, and create new things. You can make your scarf narrow or wide, short or long, in whatever colors you want. You can use knitting or crochet, and choose the type of stitch you like best. Everyone can follow different algorithms and make wildly different motifs.
There are many easy-to-stitch algorithms that you can use with the AutoScarf method. For example, if stitching in white and blue, you could decide to stitch in blue only if exactly one of the stitches directly below is blue. This rule will create different patterns depending on what kind of crochet or knit stitch you are using. Schematically, with some types of stitches this rule produces motifs with lots of triangles:
With AutoScarf patterns, you won't have to constantly refer to a color chart like the one above, because the rule will always tell you what to do! By changing the rule and choosing different starting colors we can create a wide variety of extraordinary motifs that grow themselves, row by row.
Early Access
Right now, we're in the early-launch phase of the AutoScarf project. We've got some patterns ready for testing, and an under-construction design tool that you can experiment with. We want to learn from your suggestions and feedback!
We're looking for crafters at all levels to test our first patterns and early design tool. If you're interested in being part of the testing team, or if you'd like to get on our mailing list for project updates, please let us know with our contact form.