Tactile Logic: The Architecture of 3D Knit

Discover how 3D knitting can act as a catalyst for circularity, reducing textile waste while supporting localised, on-demand production. From seamless garments to spatial and functional structures, Patricia shares the technical pathways, engineering constraints, and design opportunities of a medium that quite literally builds form stitch by stitch. This session is ideal for designers, makers, and innovators wanting to better understand the future potential of zero-waste, technically driven manufacturing.

Aligned with the Melbourne Design Week theme of Design the world you want, Patricia examines the technical mastery required to translate an idea into a complex, three-dimensional knitted form. From yarn selection and stitch structure to programming logic and machine capability, this session reveals how 3D knitting enables objects to be created directly from yarn with precision and minimal waste. Hosted at the KNOVUS studio, you’ll have the chance to see the 3D knit machines in action and a showcase of 3D knit products from fashion to furniture, medical to practical.

For nearly 20 years, Patricia Chircop has been at the forefront of Australian knit technology, witnessing the shift from traditional manufacturing to the frontier of 3D knit design, programming, and production. In this comprehensive 90-minute talk, the founder of Knovus explores how advanced knitting technology is redefining the boundaries of fashion, furniture, and industrial design.

Presented by UnitePlayPerform as part of the “Reclaim and Transform” material innovation partnership.