3D Knitwear

Regular knitting machines have two needle beds. View a simulation of a whole garment knitting machine with 4 needle beds above. The turqouise threads show the first rows of a garment being knitted.

Programming

It starts with a CAD file...

All of Deta’s pieces are knitted in a factory in Brooklyn, NY. Our knitting process stands in contrast to how most swimwear is produced. The usual method for swimwear is cut-and-sew - a process that is exactly what it sounds like, where pieces are cut from fabric and then sewn together via machine. Deta, on the other hand, knits pieces directly from just two threads of yarn (and one thread of elastic)! While there is a certain simplicity and purity to this process, it is very complex: the process for making pieces is programmed in CAD software and sent to a knitting machine that outputs the near-final product in a single pass. We can use exactly the amount of yarn needed for the piece, with no scraps going into the garbage. Deta is constantly searching for more sustainable fabrics that perform well in swimwear. The image shows the CAD file of the Nicola Top.

3D Knitting

...and continues with knitting

Knitting a triangle top takes about 33 min. It is knitted all in one without any seams. The knitting works like a 3D printer. After knitting the excess threads are cut off and the tops are washed and steamed to keep a nice form.

Finishing

Thread Elastic

When knitting the top a tiny hole is left open on the inside of the underbust rim. Elastics are being threaded through the underbust tube of every top.

Sew ends of elastic

After threading elastic through the underbust rim Mei sews the ends of the elastics together.

Closing the hole

In the last step Luz is sewing the hole shut. And the pieces are ready to ship...when you order a suit on-demand the suit gets shipped right to you.

We produce locally:

Studio and knitwear factory are just 4.6 miles apart
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