LO3 – Computational Fabrication

For this week’s looking outwards blog post, I decided to look into a project from MIT CSAIL on Machine-Knit Garments. The project contributes designed a workflow that allows a user to design a template, then turn that template into a time function such that a knitting machine can turn it into a garment. This approach doesn’t require a user to design complex 3D objects, as the algorithm turns 2D templates into machine code. According to the project team, this is meant to allow for interactive editing of the shape of the garment. I was particularly drawn to this project because I had never heard of CNC knitting machines. I’ve worked with routers and 3D printers before, but computer-controlled knitting machines open up a whole other world of computational fabrication. Additionally, the software the users built allows for user interaction with the design, which I think also has the potential of turning into very interesting pieces of art.

Knit Sketching