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Scientists 'knit' soft robotic wearables for easier design and fabrication
Scientists have developed a new way to design and build soft robots that could lead to new assistive and rehabilitative devices.
AI knitting system designs and creates garments
If you've ever wanted a custom bobble hat but your knitting skills aren't up to par, let the robots do it. Researchers at MIT's Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) have developed a computer-aided knitting system which can automate the design and manufacture of knitted garments.
Adidas will knit you a $200 sweater while you wait
In the sneaker industry, it normally takes around 12 to 18 months for a new clothing design to make it to store shelves. Adidas wants to shorten that wait to a matter of hours. To that end, the German fitness apparel company has opened a pop-up shop in Berlin that enables customers to design, manufacture and buy a customized merino wool sweater for 200€ ($215).
The After Math: Baby, it's cold outside
It's 50 degrees and raining here in San Francisco which, by West Coast standards, constitutes the second coming of Snowpacalypse. With this sort of weather the only rational choice is to stay inside and patiently wait for spring. But just because we're tied to the couch for the next few months doesn't mean we can't take a tour of the West Wing, knit ourselves some binge socks or play 16 new (old) XBox games. Because counting the days to spring is way easier if you do it by the numbers.
Designer uses algorithms to create unique knit scarves
If you fall within the intersection of a Venn diagram, wherein circle A is labeled "knitting enthusiast" and circle B is "math geek," then you've got to see this Kickstarter campaign. It's called KnitYak, and its creator promises 100 percent unique black-and-white scarves for each backer. How? By using elementary cellular automaton algorithms, which follow several different "rules" to determine the value (specifically, the color) of each square cell, or in this case, each knit stitch. That's oversimplifying it, of course, but you can read more about it and look at the patterns different rules generate on Wolfram Mathworld. As you can see from the website, each rule produces a distinct pattern, though the designer can make a lot of unique scarves using the same rule just by starting from different rows.
3D printing injects new life into knitting
If you think that knitting tends to be boring outside of the occasional yarnbombing, you're in for a pleasant surprise. Researchers at the Manchester School of Art have been working on hybrids of 3D printing and knitting that literally add a new dimension to clothes. Their approach adds interlocking 3D printed loops that add dashes of color and texture while remaining flexible enough to wear. The early creations (like what you see above) won't win any fashion awards, but they hint at what's possible -- you could turn a relatively ho-hum sweater into a conversation piece. It'll probably be a long, long while before you can buy one of these material mash-ups at the local store, but you can swing by the Knitting Nottingham exhibition before November 28th if you want to see them in person.
15 Minutes of Fame: Knitting together a gaming life
From Hollywood celebrities to the guy next door, millions of people have made World of Warcraft a part of their lives. How do you play WoW? We're giving each approach its own 15 Minutes of Fame. Yes, grandmas who knit play World of Warcraft, too -- and to prove it, we offer you this week's 15 Minutes of Fame with Pointilliste of Nesingway (US-A). Pointilliste is not only a knitting grandma, but a librarian as well. (She holds a master's degree in library science.) Nerdy-sweet enough for you yet? There's more -- this grandmother of four started playing Dungeons & Dragons in her forties, got her first PC nearly 20 years ago at age 50 ... and of course, she plays World of Warcraft.
iPhone case has cross-stitched back
A confession: For a short time as a kid, I was actually into cross stitching. Not that far into it, but I did enjoy the routine that turned into art, the pattern-following that, when combined with the right thread or yarn and the correct stitches, turned into a nice piece of handmade art. That's probably why I like this iPhone case so much -- it's a case that has a part on the back you can cross-stitch into, allowing you to put together your own pattern. The pink probably isn't something I'd go for, but the case comes in a few different colors, and you can choose whatever pattern you'd like for yourself. The price is in British pounds, but it comes to about US $28 after conversion -- not cheap, but then again, this is a one of a kind case you'd be making, something no one else would have. I like the idea a lot; maybe it would be a good way for me to rediscover my old cross-stitching talents.
Brother KH-930e knitting machine hacked for computerized garment printing
Got an old Brother KH-930e knitting machine collecting dust somewhere? If not, chances are that your mum does. Or maybe your grandmum. Regardless of where you snag one, just make darn sure you snag one. It's not often we get our jollies from an 80s-era garment maker, but thanks to a bit of wizardry from the folks at Craftzine, the aforesaid device is just a few hacks away from being a gnarly computerized printer. We'll spare you the details -- after all, every single one is just a click away. Vid's after the break, DIYers.
World of WarCrafts: School's out, crafting's in
World of WarCrafts spotlights art and creativity by WoW players, including fan art, cooking, comics, cosplay, music and fan fiction. Show us how you express yourself; email lisa@wow.com with your not-for-profit, WoW-inspired creations. School's out! Busy hands are happy hands, so get those crafts started now. We want to share what you're making: artwork, knitting, music, crafts, fan fic ... Let us know what sparks your imagination! First up this week: The Horde scarf shown above is no ordinary Horde scarf. This Horde scarf was created to be equipped during rare-spawn, cold weather action in Costa Rica. "It all started when there was a cold wave a few months back in my country (Costa Rica; such cold waves are actually very rare), and my only scarf was actually a keffiyeh I'd wrap around my neck," writes Cambalache of Ragnaros (US-H). "So, since my wife's hobby is knitting on various styles ... she offered to knit me a scarf of my choosing, and as a true Horde player, I went for the symbol." A tauren after our own heart! Join us after he break for an update to the WoW tattoo gallery, plus a small collection of music by and for WoW fans.
Apple power adapter foot cozy, by Seymour Burns (video)
Hey, we love innovation and the gumption required to execute on an idea especially when knitting is involved. And the good lorf knows that our tootsies could use some warming up during the marathon sessions we spend at the computer. But while the idea of tucking one of those toasty, Apple laptop power adapters into a "foot cozy" might sound like an ingenious solution to our problem, we're also aware that those little white bricks must be ventilated to function properly. From Apple's own support site: The power adapter may become very warm during normal use. Always put the power adapter directly into a power outlet or place it on the floor in a well-ventilated location. If you are using your MagSafe adapter in a poorly ventilated area, or if the MagSafe adapter is covered by a blanket or other form of insulation, it may turn itself off in order to prevent damage to the adapter. Here's the best part: the inventor's name is Rachael Burns... why yes, she just might. Video demonstration after the break.
Wind powered knitting machine takes the tedium out of your heirloom production
Knitting is one of those acquired crafting skills we just never fully warmed up to. We'll embroider, crochet, or quilt until the sun sets for the last time on the day of the apocalypse, but knitting is just so... boring sometimes. Luckily, ingenious artist Merel Karhof has a solution for the monotony of the knit - purl - knit - purl routine. She's designed and invented a machine that knits all on its own, harnessing the ever-present power of the wind. Called the Wind Knitting Factory, the automatic knitting machine itself looks like a cross between an old-timey coffee grinder and a medieval torture device (which we like about it very much), and knits a scarf in about two hours. This isn't likely to be the type of thing that every hits the retail market, but we'll tell you this: if it did, we'd be first in line. Hit the read links for video, more photos, and an explanation of the machine's design.Read - Merel Karhof's blogRead - Show RCA Wind Knitting Factory
Knitted mitts for the Alliance
We are so glad we get to use bigger pictures now, especially when they show off something this cool. Mirthical made these Alliance-branded fingerless mitts (actually, we're not sure that lion is an official Alliance logo, but he's cute enough) for a friend of hers who was such a big Warcraft fan that she put an Alliance crest on her wedding cake, too.The design is great, though -- she borrowed the cuff look from a neckwarmer, and that lion came from a sticker someone else made. We're not sure why you'd wear open gloves like that (probably a girly thing), but even if they aren't super warm, they do at least look comfy. And Alliance have to represent when they can, we guess. Grab your... mittens and fight the Horde?
All the World's a Stage: So you want to be a Tailor
This installment of All the World's a Stage is the twenty-seventh in a series of roleplaying guides in which we find out all the background information you need to roleplay a particular race or class (or profession!) well, without embarrassing yourself. Tailoring is another aspect of Warcraft which people tend to just gloss over without realizing it is an important element of your character's backstory and personality. "I am Zorlastine the wicked Forsaken warlock!" one might say, "I have come to wreak havoc and destruction upon this world! I also sell extremely large bags on the auction house!" Often it's an element that doesn't quite jive with the rest of one's character, but at the same time, nobody really notices. A powerful mage capable of teleportation, massive explosions, and yes, even KNITTING! Makes perfect sense, right?No it doesn't.So today we have gathered a few ideas for how to weave your cloth-wearing character's capability to create cloth wearables into the actual story and roleplay of your character. You think making clothes is a tedious profession? A pastime just for old ladies? No, tailoring is an avant-garde artistic activity of the elite, an excellent way for a starving hero to make cash, and even a mystical philosophy all on its own.
KNiiTTiiNG teaches creative yarn tangling with the Wiimote
If Roger Ebert would rather knit than play video games, how much interest would he have in a project that uses video game hardware to teach knitting? Well, probably not much, because he already knows how. But for people who already like games and want to like knitting, the KNiiTTiiNG! project might be a wonderful thing.Created by Rachel Beth Egenhoefer and Kyle E. Jennings, KNiiTTiiNG uses Wiimote and Nunchuk motions to simulate the movements of knitting needles, in a Dance Dance Revolution-style game in which players knit and purl in response to onscreen prompts in order to create virtual tea cozies and such.The project is currently in beta, but maybe if we're lucky we'll get some kind of homebrew release that uses the actual Wii, or at least a playable PC version. In the ideal situation, we'd remind the developers that WiiWare has no distribution or packaging costs! We'd love to use our expert waggling skills to learn a real, useful one.[Via Crafty Crafty]
Simply Knitting mag shows how to knit a Sackperson
All right kids, if you want a really good homemade Sackboy or Sackgirl then you better get Grandma a copy of Simply Knitting issue 49. The British magazine has a spread all about how to knit a Sackperson for your personal enjoyment. The loveable little tike which is featured in the mag can be seen posted above; it's a design made by Alan Dart. If you're thinking of making one and picking up a copy, be prepared to shell out £4.49.[via press release]
World of WarCrafts: Crochet Boomkin
Every Thursday, Shelbi Roach of The Bronze Kettle guides you in creating WoW-inspired crafts using real world mats with World of WarCrafts.Almina of <Sisters of Mercy>, an alliance guild member on the Gurabashi server and a fellow Texan, has created an epic crochet replica of the awesomest druid form in the game.Almina created a Crochet Boomkin for her father who happens to live out of state, but stays connected with his daughter by way of Azeroth. She didn't have a pattern to work from but managed to produce this impressive specimen nonetheless. Check out the in-progress and final product pictures here.
The Mario Scarf: Wear World 1-1 around your neck
Here's a way to show you care: an Atlanta, GA schoolteacher (and obsessive knitter) is recreating World 1-1 in scarf form (based on this map from Ian Albert). The plan is, once she finishes, she and her boyfriend will get engaged. You can follow along with her progress at the aptly-titled The Mario Scarf Blog, with an FAQ found here. Now, if only there was a World 1-2 belt to go along with it ...[Via metal_floss; thanks, William N]
Made in Azeroth: Arts and crafts inspired by WoW
How can we amuse ourselves while we wait for Wrath of the Lich King to come out? One word: geekcrafts. Sure, you could go to Jinx or CafePress and buy some stickers or T-shirts, but then again there's all that waiting, what with the shipping and everything. Plus, although somebody made it, they didn't make it. By which I mean, it wasn't crafted. So, you know, it's like a BoE item instead of an engineers-only item. Am I making any sense yet? No? Hm. Okay. Let me try again. Idle hands are the devil's workshop, so pick up some art supplies and start learning a new hobby. By way of inspiration, take a look at some of these cool things other people have crafted from their love of WoW.
Gamer Interrupted: Battle of the hobbies
Every other week, Robin Torres contributes Gamer Interrupted, a column about balancing real life with MMOs. I know, it used to be weekly and then it disappeared again. But I mean it this time.This year, WoW Insider had all of their bloggers write an About the Bloggers post. When I wrote mine, I got the following comment from Supernoob:Robin, my wife loves knitting but hates me playing Warcraft. Any advice on how to pacify a warcraft widow?This surprised me, being a knitter, because I have found that the knitting community in general is pretty respectful of other people's hobbies. Knitters don't get a lot of respect from other hobbyists, so we are pretty understanding of people in similar situations. In fact, one of my first recommendations for guys with non-gamer significant others is to encourage them to get their own hobby.There are a few things that could possibly cause this Battle of the Hobbies, and I will go over some of them and suggest solutions. But it is important to remember that in all relationships, communication is key. If you are in a similar situation, asking your MMO Widow what her specific concerns are about your gaming activities is the best way to start to solve the problem.