Knitting in 3D

Beyond the usual 3D approach.

Software Automatically Generates Knitting Instructions for 3D Shapes
Carnegie Mellon University
Byron Spice

Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) researchers have developed a system that can translate various three-dimensional (3D) shapes into stitch-by-stitch instructions executed by a computer-controlled knitting machine, and have used it to produce plush toys and garments. CMU professor James McCann envisions this milestone perhaps leading to on-demand machine knitting. His team's algorithm takes the knitting machines' limitations into account, generating instructions for patterns that work within these constraints and lower the risk of yarn breaks or jams. McCann notes additional work is needed to expand the system's capabilities beyond producing only smooth knitted cloth, which lacks the patterned stitching that can make knitted garments distinctive. "The software...needs a little push," McCann says, "and software can improve rapidly because we can iterate so much faster." The work will be presented in August at the ACM Conference on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques (SIGGRAPH 2018) in Vancouver, Canada. ...