Master’s Thesis: Cyberknitics

A garment that translates the rhythm of knitting into sound

cyberknitics

Will Cyborgs Knit?

Cyberknitics is the study of the relationship between craft, technology, and humans. Crafting is calming, healing, communal, expressive and empowering. It fills a basic human desire that transcends its utility. My work explores what it means to be a crafter now, and what it will mean in the future.

My project is a harness-like vestment that translates the motion of knitting into sound. As someone who knits, I have become increasingly interested in how to capture and convey the natural rhythm of the craft. The music is meant to inspire a stronger connection between the knitter and their process, and to invite the audience to engage with the spiritual practice of creating something from nothing.

About the Fabrication

This garment detects the movement of the hand which generates sound. As the wearer knits, they can hear their own rhythm and respond to it. Buttons on the forearm allow the user to alter the sound. The sound produced can be heard through a speaker or headphones.

I constructed the harness and arm-piece from leather, then hand-stitched the components in place. The circuit is composed of a combination of pre-made and custom-designed circuit boards. The design is meant to be modular, flexible, comfortable, and evocative.

cyberknitics harness front cyberknitics harness back cyberknitics harness close up of arm cyberknitics harness close up of hand

Talks

Exhibitions