CONDUCTIVE machine KNITTING

April - May 2018

The initial purpose of this exercise was to develop techniques on the Knittax M2 knitting machine that could accommodate conductive metallic yarns. However a lovely outcome was the emergence of a potential new aesthetic and physicality of worn technology.

 
Exploration into the materiality and physicality of worn technology with Jacquard knitting

Exploration into the materiality and physicality of worn technology with Jacquard knitting

 
Sketches and rough calculations for creating manual Jacquard samples on the Knittax M2 machine, the conductive stitches represented in silver

Sketches and rough calculations for creating manual Jacquard samples on the Knittax M2 machine, the conductive stitches represented in silver

 
 

I believe that using conductive Jacquard knit, within the physicality of a woollen jumper, may provide an opportunity to introduce new adopters to worn technology. Possible use cases discussed have included monitoring the exercise of elderly patients in care homes, which is currently impossible without 24 hour supervision or the use of obtrusive and intimidating wearable technology. I believe a familiar materiality and form, will be both felt and perceived more passively, building a more intimate relationship between the user and technology.

In the striped sample, on the left, the yellow stripes are silk and mohair (insulating) and the grey stripe is mohair yarn spun with steel pieces (conductive), acting as a stretch sensor. Both are knitted with exactly the same method and are designed to look like a deliberate pattern. The square pattern, on the right, follows the same methodology, except the grey square is knitted using a solid steel yarn to create a touch sensor. In the centre, multiple stretch sensors are combined with the potential to translate specific smaller movements in the body into software readings.