Translating the Creative Process of Knitwear Design: from Manual to Digital Practices in a Material-driven Approach

Abstract

For ages associated with manual work, in the paradigm shift through the Industry 4.0 knitwear is nowadays one of the industrial sectors that is most experiencing the dualism between craftsmanship and technological innovation. The article investigates the relationship between the creative process of knitwear and its tools, in a comparison between a traditional manual expertise and a constantly evolving technological knowledge. Through a case study, the article analyses the nodes that connect the creative and manual process to the production and technological ones, stressing the translation effort that a de-signer faces when switching from manual to electronic machines. A translation that requires a structured dialogue between designers and technicians, and that consists in evolutions that explore the possibilities and limits of the most up-to-date technologies, of traditional and innovative yarns and materials, of the processing techniques.