AmiGo: Computational Design of Amigurumi Crochet Patterns

We propose an approach for generating crochet instructions (patterns) from an input 3D model. We focus on Amigurumi, which are knitted stuffed toys. Given a closed triangle mesh, and a single point specified by the user, we generate crochet instructions, which when knitted and stuffed result in a toy similar to the input geometry. Our approach relies on constructing the geometry and connectivity of a Crochet Graph, which is then translated into a crochet pattern. We segment the shape automatically into chrochetable components, which are connected using the join-as-you-go method, requiring no additional sewing. We demonstrate that our method is applicable to a large variety of shapes and geometries, and yields easily crochetable patterns.Comment: 11 pages, 10 figures, SCF 202

Computational Design of Wiring Layout on Tight Suits with Minimal Motion Resistance

An increasing number of electronics are directly embedded on the clothing to monitor human status (e.g., skeletal motion) or provide haptic feedback. A specific challenge to prototype and fabricate such a clothing is to design the wiring layout, while minimizing the intervention to human motion. We address this challenge by formulating the topological optimization problem on the clothing surface as a deformation-weighted Steiner tree problem on a 3D clothing mesh. Our method proposed an energy function for minimizing strain energy in the wiring area under different motions, regularized by its total length. We built the physical prototype to verify the effectiveness of our method and conducted user study with participants of both design experts and smart cloth users. On three types of commercial products of smart clothing, the optimized layout design reduced wire strain energy by an average of 77% among 248 actions compared to baseline design, and 18% over the expert design.Comment: This work is accepted at SIGGRAPH ASIA 2023(Conference Track

Exploring expressive and functional capacities of knitted textiles exposed to wind influence

This study explores the design possibilities with knitted architectural textiles subjected to wind. The purpose is to investigate how such textiles could be applied to alter the usual static expression of exterior architectural and urban elements, such as\ua0facades\ua0and windbreaks. The design investigations were made on a manual knitting machine and on a CNC (computer numerically controlled)\ua0flat knitting machine. Four knitting techniques -\ua0tuck stitch, hanging stitches, false lace, and drop stitch - were explored based on their ability to create a three-dimensional effect on the surface level as well as on an architectural scale. Physical textile samples produced using those four techniques were subjected to controlled action of airflow. Digital experiments were also conducted, to probe the possibilities of digitally simulating textile behaviours in wind. The results indicate that especially the drop stitch technique exhibits interesting potentials. The variations in the drop stitch pattern generate both an aesthetic effect of volumetric expression of the textile architectural surface and seem beneficial in terms of wind speed reduction. Thus, these types of knitted textiles could be applied to design architecture that are efficient in terms of improving the aesthetic user experience and comfort in windy urban areas

A System for Programming Anisotropic Physical Behaviour in Cloth Fabric

We propose a method to alter the tensile properties of cloth in a user defined and purposeful manner with the help of computer controlled embroidery. Our system is capable of infusing non-uniform stiffening in local regions of the cloth. This has numerous applications in the manufacturing of high performance smart textiles for the medical industry, sports goods, comfort-wear, etc where pressure needs to be redistributed and the cloth needs to deform correctly under a given load. We make three contributions to accomplish this: a decomposition scheme that expresses user-desired stiffness as a density map and a directional map, a novel stitch planning algorithm that produces a series of stitches adhering to the input stiffness maps and an inverse design based optimization driven by a cloth simulator that automatically computes stiffness maps based on user specified performance criteria. We perform multiple tests on physically manufactured cloth samples to show how embroidery affects the resultant fabric to demonstrate the efficacy of our approach

Design tool for automated crocheting of fabrics

In the context of developing a machine to automatically crochet fabrics, a suitable design tool tailored to the new technology and enabling its application is crucial. The paper offers first insights into the prototype of the crochet machine and presents the approach of such a design tool implemented in Python for creating, modeling and generating the machine instructions. With a graphical user interface (GUI), a flat crocheted fabric can be designed by arranging international crochet symbols for slip stitch (SL), single crochet (SC) and half double crochet (HDC). Built-in error checking mechanisms, following the rules of crochet and the machine’s constraints, will aid inexperienced crocheters in this process. Based on the resulting computer representation as an array containing short strings for the respective stitches, a topology-based 3D model at the meso scale is automatically created as a preview of the designed crocheted fabric. Also, machine instructions to automatically crochet the fabric with the crochet machine prototype are generated by mapping the computer representation of the stitches to macros of G-code and appending them in a valid order. The straightforward design tool shows the capabilities of the crochet machine and is extensible for further enhancements. Through modeling, the structure of the machine-crocheted fabrics is presented for the first time. In comparison to manually crocheted fabrics, the machine-crocheted ones exhibit a technical front and back, since stitches are formed by the machine only from one side

Textile architecture informed by wind

Textiles in architecture is a field of great potential, which are worth to explore further. This thesis aims to show that the flexibility of the textile material could be better included in the architectural design, allowing it to adapt to forces, such as the wind, and viewing motion as a positive design feature. The main methods for this were a literature study and design investigations, using physical as well as digital prototypes, with extra focus on the material flexibility and knitted textiles. The field textile architecture informed by wind is defined through three main components: the textile material, the lightweight structure, and the wind. Textiles are, here, seen as a material with structural and aesthetical flexibility and diversity that can adapt to as well as carry applied loads. Lightweight structures are concepts for material efficiency and structural elegance. And, wind informed architecture is the concept of including the phenomena of wind in the architectural design, as a free source of energy or force that could be used, absorbed, or directed to create beauty and to form a more comfortable environment. The core of the thesis lies in the overlap of these three components. Results from this thesis indicate, firstly, that the field of textile architecture informed by wind is relatively uncharted territory. Knowledge and inspiration can, however, be found outside the field of architecture, such as performing arts, art installations, sailing, and fashion. Secondly, opportunities for supporting the, often complicated, design process of textile architecture are demonstrated through the use of a combination of digital models and physical prototypes, in the presented examples