[03] Programmable Knitting: CNC Knitting
2023 - 2024 Spring
Academic + Group Work
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor - MS Digital and Material Technologies - Systems Engagement
Instructors | Sean Ahlquist
Collaborators | Jutang Gao, Archit Goyal, Daniel Merupu, Lucas Yan, John Hilla (fabrication)
This project showcases an example of an installation of Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) knitted textiles. It provides a piece of tensile architecture where different scales in knitting programming are explored including
stitch structures [03], discretization of materiality [02], and form-finding [01]. It proposes an example for multi-material knitted-textiles where the tensile stabilities of different material qualities and formal expressions are witnessed in a moment.
Scale [01]: form-finding
isometric diagram showing knit placement and dimensions inside the MS studio with the existing human-knitted installation
the cnc knitted textile is embedded inside the skylight of the studio - directing light colorfully, with various transparency zones into the studio
Scale [02]: discretization
the knitting composition is composed of three parts:
i - panel - tube - panel (blue transparent piece at the top)
ii - single panel with one opening (pink & blue gradient with transparent in between zones)
iii - tubular knit with textures (blue and purple)
Scale [03]: different stitch structures for tactilitythree knitting structures are explored:
i - jersey with different materiality
ii - “pluck” module with alternating tuck and float structure for dimensionality
iii - ‘streching’ module with elastic yarn for dimensionality
Scale [01-02-03]
photos of the final installation
installation process