1. From knitting basics to 3D knitting

1.1 Knitting basics

In order to understand the interest, potential and problems of 2.5 or 3D knitting, it is necessary to recall a few elements and definitions relating to knitting, its two main manufacturing processes and the 2D knits obtained.

The stitch is the elementary entity of a knitted fabric. It's a loop, made up of a portion of yarn, whose shape depends on the type of knitting. Stitches are interlocked in the machine direction, forming a column. The stitches in a column are (with a few exceptions) made by the same needle. Several needles in a row knit a row of stitches in one knitting cycle, which is therefore in the cross-machine direction. Several needles on several knitting cycles therefore form a knitted surface.

The hands...