Computer based systems and methods for designing and manufacturing consumer products, including knit footwear uppers, and the like. The system provides digital controls for the customization of knitted components, including complex multi-structured knitted components. The system simulates deformations of knit structures and allows the user to control and visualize compensations in the structure(s) of the knitted component to better match between an intended knit design and the actual physical knitted component outcome. The system may manufacture/fabricate a knitted component based on the predicted/estimated deformation behavior of the knit.

A method for manufacturing a jacquard knitted fabric, including providing an electronic unit for processing digital images; providing a programmable Y-yarn Jacquard knitting machine; obtaining a known digital adversarial image; reducing the image so that the proportions are maintained, the maximum size is reduced to P pixels (P750) and the minimum size is reduced to p pixels (p100); halving the height of the image and maintaining the width; posterizing the adversarial image by reducing the colors to C (4CY); generating the operation instructions for the machine, where each color in the image corresponds to a respective yarn and each pixel in the image corresponds to a stitch; selecting C yarns to approximate the colors of the posterized image; feeding the C yarns to the machine; and operating the machine for manufacturing a knitted fabric reproducing the image.

A method for manufacturing a jacquard knitted fabric, including providing an electronic unit for processing digital images; providing a programmable Y-yarn Jacquard knitting machine; obtaining a known digital adversarial image; reducing the image so that the proportions are maintained, the maximum size is reduced to P pixels (P750) and the minimum size is reduced to p pixels (p100); halving the height of the image and maintaining the width; posterizing the adversarial image by reducing the colors to C (4CY); generating the operation instructions for the machine, where each color in the image corresponds to a respective yarn and each pixel in the image corresponds to a stitch; selecting C yarns to approximate the colors of the posterized image; feeding the C yarns to the machine; and operating the machine for manufacturing a knitted fabric reproducing the image.

A knitting needle storage/display device includes a display flap, and a main flap, which is foldable at first and second fold regions, to form a first end flap portion, a middle flap portion, and a second end flap portion. A strap, being intermittently secured to the display flap, releasably supports a knitting needle between adjacent pairs of intermittently secured locations. The display flap, being secured to the main flap, can be folded between its first and second ends into a display position, and be releasably secured thereat using hook and loop fastening materials. The folded display flap in the display position exposes the ends of the needles. Snap members releasably secure the first and the second end flap portions together, when respectively folded at the first and second fold regions, in either a closed position, or an open position while the display flap is in the display position.

A knitting needle storage/display device includes a display flap, and a main flap, which is foldable at first and second fold regions, to form a first end flap portion, a middle flap portion, and a second end flap portion. A strap, being intermittently secured to the display flap, releasably supports a knitting needle between adjacent pairs of intermittently secured locations. The display flap, being secured to the main flap, can be folded between its first and second ends into a display position, and be releasably secured thereat using hook and loop fastening materials. The folded display flap in the display position exposes the ends of the needles. Snap members releasably secure the first and the second end flap portions together, when respectively folded at the first and second fold regions, in either a closed position, or an open position while the display flap is in the display position.

A vehicle seat covering material, a vehicle seat including the same, and a method for manufacturing the vehicle seat covering material are disclosed, wherein the vehicle seat covering material includes a first knit fabric configured to form a surface of the vehicle seat covering material; and a second knit fabric located to an opposite surface of to a surface of the first knit fabric, and configured to include flame retardant fibers.

Crochet hooks and knitting needles configured with devices and systems to assist a user in counting, tracking and following a crocheting or knitting pattern, either automatically or manually. A crochet hook or knitting needle is provided with an integrated electronic or manual counting system or device. The integrated counting systems and devices can include an electronic or manual display, a button/sensor and/or an accelerometer configured to detect a motion. The integrated counting systems and devices can also include an integrated computer, power source and software. The integrated counting systems and devices can also include wireless communication devices, optical devices, speakers, tactile signal devices and/or audio devices.

Crochet hooks and knitting needles configured with devices and systems to assist a user in counting, tracking and following a crocheting or knitting pattern, either automatically or manually. A crochet hook or knitting needle is provided with an integrated electronic or manual counting system or device. The integrated counting systems and devices can include an electronic or manual display, a button/sensor and/or an accelerometer configured to detect a motion. The integrated counting systems and devices can also include an integrated computer, power source and software. The integrated counting systems and devices can also include wireless communication devices, optical devices, speakers, tactile signal devices and/or audio devices.

A fully fashion knitted outer covering made by using a method for generation of contour fit 3D fully fashion knitted outer covering pattern based on 3D exterior data of an object. The method comprises the following steps: digitizing an individual to create a 3D object data cloud; automatically and/or manually recognizing object's exterior landmarks; extracting the object's exterior measurements; calculating the outer covering pattern block of the digitized surface of the object according to the extracted object's exterior measurements including geodesic measurements; transforming the outer covering block to 3D weft knitted outer covering pattern by introducing horizontal and/or vertical darts; and translating the modified knitted outer covering pattern to knitting diagrams and/or instructions, which can then be transferred to knitwear CAD system to control the automatic knitting machine to knit the required knitted outer covering.

A fully fashion knitted outer covering made by using a method for generation of contour fit 3D fully fashion knitted outer covering pattern based on 3D exterior data of an object. The method comprises the following steps: digitizing an individual to create a 3D object data cloud; automatically and/or manually recognizing object's exterior landmarks; extracting the object's exterior measurements; calculating the outer covering pattern block of the digitized surface of the object according to the extracted object's exterior measurements including geodesic measurements; transforming the outer covering block to 3D weft knitted outer covering pattern by introducing horizontal and/or vertical darts; and translating the modified knitted outer covering pattern to knitting diagrams and/or instructions, which can then be transferred to knitwear CAD system to control the automatic knitting machine to knit the required knitted outer covering.