Knitting News: Craft Revival and Tech Innovations Change the Industry

The Knitting News most recent issue tells of a resurgence of interest in the art of knitting not only as a creative hobby but also as an industrial craft. In terms of North America and Europe, the yarn shops say they are receiving more footfall from younger crafters who are attracted to the meditative nature of knitting and its sustainable nature. Social media platforms, especially TikTok and Instagram, are allowing this resurgence with the help of persuasive visual patterns of stitches and community-motivated “knit-alongs”. In the meanwhile, local workshops and pop-up events are making knitters connect and collaborate and share their skills. This groundswell is pushing knitting back into the (liplecaied) realm of a valuable pastime where artistry, mindfulness and company are brought together. Through a commercial lens, Knitting News also reports on major advances in technological advance in industrial knitting. Manufacturers are getting into flat-bed and circular knitting machines with AI enabled tools in the ability to create complex custom made garment at incredible speed with no wastage of materials. These smart systems incorporate sensor-based quality control and auto-pattern adjustment capabilities, facilitating the provision of small-volume, ‘made to order’ knitware without the conventional delay.