'Kniterate' is the name of a London-based start-up that's giving consumers the tools to make their own clothing and textile accessories with design software a 3D knitting machine.
With Kniterate, makers are able to create digital designs with pre-loaded templates for items like scarves, socks, sweaters and more. This software gives consumers the chance to tailor their designs by pattern, size, details and gives the option to add text—which is ordinarily very challenging to integrate into a hand-knit pattern.
As it stands, the machine prototype used for creating these 3D-printed knitting projects uses 80 knitting needles, while the next iteration of the machine will have up to 240. In the fall, a crowdfunding campaign is set to launch in support of future developments for the machine before it becomes available to the public.
3D Knitwear Printers
'Kniterate' Creates Apparel and Accessories with 3D Knitting
Trend Themes
1. 3D Knitting Technology - Kniterate's use of design software and knitting machines to create customizable clothing and accessories offers disruptive innovation opportunities in the textile industry.
2. Digital Design Templates - The pre-loaded design templates in Kniterate's software offer a disruptive innovation opportunity in the fashion industry by streamlining the design process and making it more accessible to consumers.
3. Crowdfunding for Product Development - Kniterate's upcoming crowdfunding campaign contributes to a disruptive innovation opportunity for the manufacturing industry by providing a new way to raise funds for product development.
Industry Implications
1. Textile Manufacturing - The use of 3D printing technology in textile manufacturing could disrupt the traditional manufacturing processes and production methods.
2. Fashion - Kniterate's technology can disrupt the fashion industry by enabling greater customization and democratizing the design process, making it more accessible to consumers.
3. Product Development - Kniterate's crowdfunding campaign offers a disruptive innovation opportunity in the product development industry by providing a new way to fund new and innovative products.