| Advanced knitting technologies such as integral knitting and seamless knitting expand opportunities in unique knit garment design and development, but the lack of well-defined knowledge requirements and inadequate understanding of the development process prohibit these technologies from being fully utilized in the creation of knit garments. This research investigated in detail the design and development process for shaped knit garments in three stages.;First, a reference library was established via fundamental research that investigated the influences of different shaping techniques and knit stitch structures on knitted fabric dimensions and knitted garment shapes. This reference library supported accomplishment of fully-fashioned or seamless knit garment development in each case in stages two and three of the research. Second, a preliminary model was established based on participant observation of four case studies. Third, the preliminary model was validated and refined through mapping in-depth case studies to the model in research stage three. Additionally, interviews with industry experts were conducted to verify necessity and sufficiency of steps and components in the preliminary model. Finally, a validated and comprehensive model was developed that integrated all aspects of shaped knit garment design and development. The integrated model that delivers detailed descriptions of necessary steps and knowledge needed is useful to designers or development teams in creating unique fully-fashioned or seamless knit garments. The archival references in the reference library and components in knowledge building provide guidance in accomplishing each step in the process, evaluating outcomes of certain steps and correcting errors in knitting. |
