Challenges and design opportunities in prototyping seamless knitted apparel: a case study

Abstract

ABSTRACT The aims of this study are to document the challenges occurring in design and prototyping apparel using seamless knitting technologies and determine a communication framework that would improve the interaction between the design, product development and production teams. This research adopted a key single case study method, collecting data from a domestic seamless knitting technician with extensive experience. The study identified critical skills a technician must have, along with challenges and design opportunities offered by Santoni® SM8-TOP2V knitting machines. An in-depth product development map was translated into a tech pack model, a key communication tool that aims to consistently track all the details involved in the design and prototyping decisions. The authors believe that examination of the design challenges that a seamless knitting technology can offer, along with the proposed tech pack model, would help inform and narrow the existing communication and skill gap between technical designers and knit technicians.