Computational Crochet for Garments
In this project, Mirela Ben-Chen and her team plan to develop computational tools that assist in designing crochet garments from digital inputs such as 3D models or photographs.
Crochet garments are created by following a “pattern,” a set of step-by-step instructions specifying which stitches to make and how to join separate parts. Their goal is to generate an initial pattern that users can then refine and personalize. This approach could make garment design more accessible to novice crocheters, as well as accelerate the creative and iterative process for experienced designers. The team plans to support a wide range of stitches, as well as resizing, editing, and combining patterns. This could enable personalized designs, such as gloves generated from a photograph of a person's hand.
Crochet is an inherently mathematical endeavor, as it can be used to create complex curved surfaces, making crochet pattern design an interesting geometric problem. Building on their existing “crochet graph” representation — a mathematical representation that encodes stitches and their connections as a graph with triangular and quadrangular faces — the team will also investigate new methods for analyzing and optimizing patterns. More broadly, because the structure of a crochet pattern captures the intrinsic geometry of a 3D shape, the team will explore whether the crochet graph can serve as a general representation for comparing and processing shapes beyond crochet. This research aims to make custom crochet garment design easier while advancing the mathematical and geometric foundations of computational crochet and supporting sustainable, handmade fashion that can reduce textile waste.