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In the context of developing a machine to automatically crochet fabrics, a suitable design tool tailored to the new technology and enabling its application is crucial. The paper offers first insights into the prototype of the crochet machine and presents the approach of such a design tool implemented in Python for creating, modeling and generating the machine instructions. With a graphical user interface (GUI), a flat crocheted fabric can be designed by arranging international crochet symbols for slip stitch (SL), single crochet (SC) and half double crochet (HDC). Built-in error checking mechanisms, following the rules of crochet and the machine’s constraints, will aid inexperienced crocheters in this process. Based on the resulting computer representation as an array containing short strings for the respective stitches, a topology-based 3D model at the meso scale is automatically created as a preview of the designed crocheted fabric. Also, machine instructions to automatically crochet the fabric with the crochet machine prototype are generated by mapping the computer representation of the stitches to macros of G-code and appending them in a valid order. The straightforward design tool shows the capabilities of the crochet machine and is extensible for further enhancements. Through modeling, the structure of the machine-crocheted fabrics is presented for the first time. In comparison to manually crocheted fabrics, the machine-crocheted ones exhibit a technical front and back, since stitches are formed by the machine only from one side.

Elastic knits are one textile that have a high extensibility, which helps to restrain the body and attain both effects in terms of health protection and body sculpture. These qualities make elastic knits a great candidate to be used in the sportswear textile industry. However, elastic knits have a compact structure, which causes discomfort, such as low thermophysiological comfort and low skin comfort, and some humid area also causes skin allergy. In this study, a crochet machine is used, while the knit patterns and rubber thread ratios are changed to improve the air permeability, thereby examining the optimal parameters of elastic knits that are suitable for the use as sports textiles. The test results show that changes in the knit patterns and rubber thread ratios have negative influence on the mechanical properties of elastic knits, including a 30–54% decrease in tensile stress, a 33–55% decrease in tear strength, a 1–2% decrease in elastic recovery rate, and a 10–24% decrease in bursting strength, but significantly improve the air permeability by 58–150%. The mechanical properties of elastic knits decrease as a result of decreasing rubber thread ratio, but still remain qualified standard required by the application fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, the effect of centipede yarn production parameters – band yarn count and chain number – on drape and crease recovery behaviors of woven fabrics produced with these yarns were investigated. Polyester centipede yarns were produced on a Crochet machine with three different count (150, 300 and 600 denier) band yarns and three different chain numbers (10, 12 and 14 chain/cm). The centipede yarns were used as filling in the woven fabric construction. Drape coefficients of the fabrics were calculated from the drape measurements and the crease recovery angles of the fabrics were measured in the weft and warp directions. According to the analysis of variance results, it was proved that the drape and crease recovery behaviors of the woven fabrics from centipede yarns were affected by the centipede yarn structural parameters. Drape coefficients and crease recovery angles in weft and warp directions of the fabrics increased with the selection of higher chain numbers and coarser band yarns. Also correlations were determined between centipede yarn bending length, yarn-to-yarn friction and measured physical behaviors of the fabrics. The results of this study could provide researchers with information on how to determine the centipede yarn structural parameters for producing woven fabrics of centipede yarns with desired aesthetics and functionality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research was to analyze the influence of centipede yarn production parameters on bending and abrasion behavior of woven fabrics produced with these yarns. The influence of the centipede yarn structure and raw material on the above mentioned properties of fabrics with centipede yarns was established during the investigation. In the first part of the experimental study, the centipede yarns were produced on a Crochet machine with different pile materials as Polyester, Polyester/Floss, Cotton, Cotton/ Floss, and Floss; in the second part of the study centipede yarns were produced with four different count (150, 300, 600 and 900 den, respectively 16,6, 33,3, 66,6 and 100 tex) band yarns and two different chain numbers (12 and 14 chain/cm). The centipede yarns were used as filling in the woven fabric construction. According to the results of the statistical analyses bending properties in warp and weft directions and abrasion property of the fabrics were affected by the centipede yarn structural parameters which are band yarn count and chain number. On the other hand, abrasion property and only weft direction bending length of the fabrics were affected by pile material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]