Loop Order Analysis of Weft-Knitted Textiles

Abstract

In this paper, we describe algorithms that perform loop order analysis of weft-knitted textiles, which build upon the foundational TopoKnit topological data structure and associated query functions. During knitting, loops of yarn may be overlayed on top of each other and then stitched together with another piece of yarn. Loop order analysis aims to determine the front-to-back ordering of these overlapping loops, given a stitch pattern that defines the knitted fabric. Loop order information is crucial for the simulation of electrical current, water, force, and heat flow within functional fabrics. The new algorithms are based on the assumption that stitch instructions are executed row-by-row and for each row the instructions can be executed in any temporal order. To make our algorithms knitting-machine-independent, loop order analysis utilizes precedence rules that capture the order that stitch commands are executed when a row of yarn loops are being knitted by a two-bed flat weft knitting machine. Basing the algorithms on precedence rules allows them to be modified to adapt to the analysis of fabrics manufactured on a variety of knitting machines that may execute stitch commands in different temporal orders. Additionally, we have developed visualization methods for displaying the loop order information within the context of a TopoKnit yarn topology graph.