Penelope + the Machine

(un)knitting the future

This project is now archived and was part of DDW24

This project is part of
Crafted Connections: research powered by design

On demand supply chain

University of Antwerp

An interactive installation with a digital knitting machine (Kniterate), where secret messages appear and disappear as the fabric unravels. It reintroduces the old craft of “frogging,” where yarn is reclaimed from clothing, and questions the impact of fast fashion.

Research demonstrator

Imagine fabric coming to life with secret messages, intricately woven by an algorithm- controlled digital knitting machine. Yet, as soon as the message is complete, the fabric unravels back into yarn— an infinite loop, like Penelope’s weaving, defying linear time. In this exhibit, yarn isn’t just material; it’s memory. We revisit the power of digital knitting with the forgotten pracice of “frogging” - recuperating yarn from garments. This was once a common technique, but has fallen into disuse due to the seemingly endless production in a global economy. How do we put an end to the clothing (dis)order? Co-funded by the Horizon project Tracks4Crafts(101094507).

Regular supply chain in fashion

University of Antwerp

By

Augmented Crafting Lab

Hosted by

University of Antwerp, Faculty of Design Sciences
[email protected]
Visit website

Download press kit

About Augmented Crafting Lab

An interactive installation with a digital knitting machine (Kniterate), where secret messages appear and disappear as the fabric unravels. It reintroduces the old technique of “frogging,” where yarn is reclaimed from clothing, and questions the impact of fast fashion.

Colofon

promotor and python converter Jouke Verlinden

Kniterate Hacker and programmer Stan de Haas

Winder design and engineering Ralv Lundahl

co-designer Aleksandra Sviridova

Partners