You Have to Grow Wefts to Fold Them

TL;DR

This paper introduces a geometric model that predicts the three-dimensional folding patterns of knitted fabrics using only knit and purl stitches, advancing the understanding of knitting as a form of additive manufacturing.

Contribution

It provides a novel geometric framework to predict 3D structures of knitted fabrics based solely on traditional stitches, enabling better design and analysis.

Findings

The model accurately predicts complex 3D folding patterns.

It demonstrates the potential of knitting as a lightweight, ultrastrong additive manufacturing method.

The approach simplifies understanding of fabric morphology.

Abstract

Knitting turns a one dimensional yarn into a highly ramified three-dimensional structure. As a method of additive manufacturing, it holds promise for a new class of lightweight, ultrastrong materials. Here we present a purely geometric model to predict the three-dimensional folding of knitted fabrics made only of the two traditional stitches, knit and purl.