Configured Knitting: Grafting as an assembly process for knitted architecture

There is a growing interest in knit as a material system for architectural research in a workflow that integrates computation and digital fabrication in the design and specification of highly engineered fabrics. However, the dimensional limitations of industrial machines mean that large scale work may require assembly from multiple pieces. Reconfiguring knitted fabric by joining fabric panels disrupts the performance of the material, challenging the computational model when fabric characteristics are transformed at the seams.The aim of this research is to evaluate the potential for grafting, a traditional joining method for knitted fabric, as an assembly technique for architectural scale knitted prototypes. The paper presents an overview of knitted loop geometry focusing on the impact of loop construction in textile joins. The paper presents experimental research conducted using unconventional off-machine techniques at two scales, demonstrating how grafting can be used to assemble 3D structures without compromising the integrity of the material. Findings highlight the significance of this technique and suggest how the work could translate to digital fabrication.