Modifying and Automating the Addi Knitting Machine for Multi-Color Knitting. For fun and Profit!

[@MartinMakesThings]

Hi everyone! Thank you all so much for your incredible interest in this project, it has truly blown me away! I've received many questions about releasing it as open source, and I do plan to share it under a CC BY-NC-SA license. The next video is also in progress, but since my free time is sadly limited, it's taking a bit longer than I'd like. I promise, though, it’s on the way! Thank you so much for your patience!

[@DrampiRUS]

Looking forward to it!

[@emilyrln]

I'm excited! I subbed for more updates 😊

[@israelsantos6473]

That's a noble thing to let the public be able to tinker with your wonderful project. Wonder if Creality or Prusa could use this idea... Does this project run on Marlin firmware?

[@stephenie44]

Thanks for the update! You’re amazing! Looking forward to your next video, whenever it comes out.

[@MartinMakesThings]

@@israelsantos6473 I think they are busy making 3D printers, so that leaves it up to me! It runs my own very simple firmware, since all that is needed is reading the pattern from an SD card, stepping some motors, and checking some sensors 😀

[@elizabethconvey3242]

As a machine knitter and amateur stitch pattern designer, I am bowled over by your adaptation of the Addi machine. Brilliant +++

[@lukearcher8717]

Genius! I hope you start selling these as kits!

[@MartinMakesThings]

Thanks, I have something in the works 😃

[@lukearcher8717]

Excited! 😮❤

[@CaliGirlCrafter]

Can’t wait! Amazing 🎉

[@sarah-leemurray9192]

I would LOVE to be a tester in Canada 🇨🇦

[@lisasternenkind6467]

​@@MartinMakesThings I guess I'm not the only one waiting. 😂 Make sure to ship to Germany please. 😉

[@savinggrace70]

Wow! Thank God there are intelligent people on this planet continually stretching possibilities.

[@ronnipassmore8717]

We come from a creator where there’s NO LIMIT in possibilities! 😎❤️😉

[@Dinobot69420xxx]

While I don't disagree that the person in the video is intelligent I am wondering if they are really breaking any ground with this which makes me question the second part of your comment :)

[@artech05]

Congratulations! I will line up to purchase a prototype and test. Keep in mind, this is how Kniterate started. They went down the crowd funding route about 12 years ago. They attrached more than 6 times their funding goal... The market it out there. Let us know!

[@MartinMakesThings]

Thanks for the support! I think I’d prefer to try and grow it more organically than through Kickstarter, since such a campaign can easily fail due to external factors beyond your control. I would hate to be in a situation where I couldn't deliver on a promise because of an earthquake in Asia or something. As far as I know, Kniterate is still working hard on fulfilling their original promise even years later.

[@artech05]

@MartinMakesThings if you ever need a tester in Australia just let me know. Good luck and great stuff. Cheers

[@joyflowmonger248]

I would love to see you crowd fund this!

[@natalieshark]

As a rug tufter, I have to suggest one small thing. You should start rolling your own balls of yarn from the skeins. Also try and find the yarn from the inside of the skein as opposed from the outside. The yarn won’t jump around if you get it coming out of the centre. Otherwise, a very cool project! I love it.

[@MartinMakesThings]

You are absolutely right! I actually do that for my Brother knitting machine, but this thing eats skeins so fast that I wouldn't be able to keep up 😂

[@emilyrln]

@@MartinMakesThingsfor twisted skeins, do you open them up and run them on those collapsible spinners used for rewinding? Are there problems with inertia and it spinning too much? Curious about the details of the setup!

[@reggieb2127]

So AMAZING....this is the perfect example of taking an already great machine (loved by millions) and lighting it UP! Thank you for this video. I'll be watching.

[@christinestotzel2671]

I understood probably only 10% of all the technical talk, but the results are brilliant.❤

[@SpiritnoshWorldwide-yr2pj]

Please continue your work no matter how many subscribers you have because as they saying goes IF YOU BUİLD İT THEY WİLL COME! This type of work also inspires others who like to try and improve on things that inspire them, through this method humanity evolves. God Bless.

[@partyfiesta1557]

I’d buy this in a heartbeat if it were a possible add on to my circular knitting machine. Congrats 🎉 🧶

[@PersonalitySituation]

My jaw is on the floor! This looks so good! Very well done, both the knitting machine addon and the software!

[@MartinMakesThings]

Thanks a lot! But remember that I'm hiding all the spaghetti code from clear view in the video 😄

[@KleintoonseBreiwinkel]

You deserve a Nobel Prize!

[@MartinMakesThings]

Yay! In the knitting category? 😄

[@KleintoonseBreiwinkel]

@MartinMakesThings Not just a brilliant engineer and inventor, but a comedian too! 😜

[@pierrerambeau1424]

Man, this is EXACTLY what I was looking for! I have a Sentro and I have been searching KZbin for this kind of project for years litteraly, I am sooo excited to see what you’ll come up with in your next videos! Please keep posting updates :)

[@MartinMakesThings]

I was actually looking at the Sentro for the build, but from the photos, I couldn't see any easy way to attach things to the top of the machine. But where there's a will, there's a way!

[@Casey-ip7ug]

​@@MartinMakesThings My first thought is that if you can't attache the thing onto to Sentro, attach the Sentro to the thing. I wouldn't know the details, or if it would be too much materials, but I'm thinking the machine would be the kitchen aid main machine and the knitting loom would be the bowl.

[@MartinMakesThings]

@@Casey-ip7ug I'm sure there is a way, I just haven't had a Sentro in my hands yet 🙂

[@GamyH]

Absolutely thrilled about this, love seeing more machine Knitters! Just shared this video with my friends, more people need to see this.

[@MartinMakesThings]

Thanks a lot! Yes, we need to normalize machine knitting! People usually look puzzled when I mention that I knit 😄

[@juliahinze]

I'm so glad the algorythmus showed me this video! I RAN to the living room to tell my husband about it haha. I was thinking about buying a knitting machine, now I will just wait till you drop this 😊

[@MartinMakesThings]

Well I'm very flattered, but I'm afraid I can't give any definite timeframes at this point, but I am working full time on this now 😀

[@juliahinze]

@@MartinMakesThings Please don't stress yourself. I'm working in Design, and know that processes need to be fully thought-through. Also greetings from your southern neighbor germany! 😄

[@brianphillips1864]

You are doing the Good Things. Please continue blessing the world!

[@glassslippergourmet]

Bravo!! Yes to more!! 😊 this demo was excellent, love the way to captured the closeup functionality

[@MartinMakesThings]

Glad you liked it! 😊 My cameras are old, so the image may not be as sharp as other KZbinrs. But I’m happy the close-ups still worked for you!

[@williamgurzoni]

Great project!

[@adorinanepotopia1428]

Please keep updating us! This is absolutely brilliant 👏

[@MartinMakesThings]

Thanks, I will 😀

[@christinecatt1443]

Wonderful idea!! Also you speak very clearly and that's important for this type of technical video. Thanks very much!!

[@MartinMakesThings]

Thanks a lot! I was worried that I was speaking too slowly or that my accent was too horrible 😆

[@TorchwoodPandP]

@@MartinMakesThingsslet ikke! 😁🇩🇰

[@Spajari]

I would love to see a longer video about this ♥️♥️

[@hecatecreates6623]

I like hand knitting rather than machine knitting, but I also like machines and watching the design and manufacturing process so this is pretty cool. I wouldn't mind getting my hands on the patterns alone...I saw some really cool patterns there.

[@MartinMakesThings]

I'm planning to make them available on my website (work in progress). But if you can't wait and have a throwaway email, drop it here, and I'll send them to you.

[@emilyrln]

Yes! I love that VISITORS graphic!

[@Doc_Aspy]

It's like listening to How It's Made again. I enjoyed your video!

[@MartinMakesThings]

That was one of my favorite shows, what a compliment 😀

[@paper_maiden]

That's an absolutely amazing endeavor! I'm also extremely impressed by your design software for the knitwear.

[@amberreaves6644]

So awesome! Many non-industrial flatbed knitting machines have patterning capability like this, but only one that I know of can do circular patterning and it’s very expensive. It’s going to be cool to watch you progress with this!

[@michellemorger1318]

Dude. I can’t wait what comes next. New subscriber here. Freaking love this

[@thestalkinghead]

this is an amazing mod, i am sure there are loads of people who would like to make their own, or buy the final product.

[@terriorrabyte1655]

WOW. This is amazing. I don't have an addy or any skills in construction, but I wanted to repeat it. The video is really inspiring.

[@rosscraddock6241]

Amazing, I use the addi for hats, this is a brilliant video of what is capable using the human mind.

[@MartinMakesThings]

Thank you! I'm flattered, but I’m sure there are others who’ve reached higher peaks than this 😂

[@GlennDeBacker]

Loved it, even if I don’t knit. Too many videos that only show the final output, love these kind of videos where people really explain everything including the problems that arise.

[@themoodiesfan]

This is such a beautiful, brilliant feat of engineering!! I look forward to following along and watching this project as it develops 🥰 I would love to buy a kit from you to mod my Addi machine someday!

[@hassiaschbi]

Great stuff, knitting machines have gotten my interest in the last few weeks, this is exactly what i would like to have too. I cant't wait to see where this project is going!

[@eduardofrances]

This is really beyond genius! You are truly a brilliant person! 😮🎉🎉!!!

[@setrakhadajian7108]

This is incredible Martin, well done! You have a bright future ahead of you with new creations. I'm glad geniuses like you exist!

[@MartinMakesThings]

Thank you very much for your kind words

[@stuartfrankland3965]

This looks brilliant well done, hope it developes as you progress, good luck and looking forward to seeing more in the future 😊😊😊

[@MartinMakesThings]

Thank you so much!

[@ryans600]

KZbin recommended this video and I'm glad it did :^) Great project!!!

[@MartinMakesThings]

And I'm glad it did too, thanks for watching 😀

[@nathanong]

Incredible! I would happily purchase either the parts themselves or models to print

[@MartinMakesThings]

Thank you! I’m really glad you’re interested! 😊 I am planning to make the models available for free for non-commercial use in the future. But I didn’t initially design this project for release, so things aren’t quite in a releasable state yet.

[@LeoandTaurusCreations]

WOW 🤯 mind blown! You are designing a gold mine... Keep up the good work cause this is freaking amazing 🤩

[@lauras_lavender]

Cat stole the show 😂

[@MartinMakesThings]

Well, lets be honest, she is the real star 😄

[@nghtguy13]

Very cool. I love seeing engineering love in the fiber arts community. ❤❤❤

[@VacFink]

Very well presented. I may not knit but can appreciate the effort and like your approach. I'm keen to see more of this kind of problem solving.

[@wallisthecat]

This is amazing. I am blown over by your ingenuity taking this type of knitting to another level, can't wait to see (and follow) how you progress this and your software. Regards from Cornwall UK.

[@user-cw7kl6fu7p]

Your yarn tensioning solution is so smart! I was scratching my head how to solve it on a project of my own. I needed a constant tension force, so as an ad hoc solution I used two pulleys and a weight as F = mg = const. so I could vary m as needed. The relationship to tensile force Ft is found by some simple geometry (two pulleys + weight is a triangle). With the right parameters dFt is approximately zero. ...but you used a spring with a very long arm orthogonal to the spring's principal axis. This means that the dX of the spring remains small, and so dF = -kdx -> 0 meaning you achieve constant tension force! So smart!

[@MartinMakesThings]

Thank you for your comment! It’s not 100% constant, but I think it’s good enough for this purpose. That said though, there's still the issue of the yarns angle against the plastic hooks, which significantly affects the tension at the knitting end depending on the arms position. I’m considering replacing the hooks with small bearings with deep V-grooves to help minimize that effect.

[@user-cw7kl6fu7p]

@@MartinMakesThings Bearings sound like the simplest solution! It turns static shear on the string to torque on the bearing. If that doesn't work, some thoughts: Excess tension needs to be compensated by slacking the string. Option 1: put the yarn on spools and the spools on axles. Then you can control the feed via the rotational angle of the spool. Then dynamically couple the angle to yarn tension. Option2: alternate the spring constant dynamically, eg by twisting the spring (attach one end to gear). Note: You can use sound to measure string tension. At a set Ft0 it will have it's resonant modes. Send that frequency, measure response. The lower the response, the greater the deviation from Ft0. Correcting algorythm should maximize reponse (gradient descent).

[@jakemandeem]

You might know by now, but that kind of tensioning is usually called a "dancer arm" and it's widely used, but if you're searching for more broad ideas then that might be a better spring board to start off from! Depending on your application a set of capstans can also be used for some good tension, however that relationship is typically more complex imo.

[@joyflowmonger248]

Extraordinary! I want one!

[@bluespoonery]

im only 1 minute in and i'm hooked. great job!

[@wotwot8]

you are genius, thanks for this well made, informative video, can't wait to watch more, and good luck with your project

[@LadyDonegan]

That is truly amazing. I’m definitely following to keep updated.

[@loui_in_a_box]

I love that skull pattern! I rarely wear skulls but I'd stick that on all the time

[@loui_in_a_box]

Provided the black was swapped for yellow

[@thebestminecraftplayerfrom376]

The cat is so sweet!

[@MartinMakesThings]

Yes, and she knows 😀

[@thebestminecraftplayerfrom376]

@@MartinMakesThings That’s the most important thing that a sweet cat needs to know.

[@pipsbg6945]

Amazing! I just witnessed a new youtube maker being born, keep on going!

[@bostitch001]

Very nice machine for a "labour of love" project!!

[@Mike-rd1lc]

This is so cool my dude definitely going to come back if you can post more videos I’m so excited to see what else you have to show us. I tend to pick KZbinrs to watch that I think are smart and think differently then I do and you are it

[@enseta331]

I would love to see something like this in a maker-space. Imagine making your own knit pieces from your own harvested yarn

[@kyrilchrysos1266]

That is rad! I love the tension plate you build.

[@BendsSpace]

So cool! The machine looks as amazing as the results!

[@DrPsychlops]

This is an absolutely amazing design! I love knowing how things work and I’ve watched several other videos on this type of knitting machine. I almost bought one that was for sale locally, but it was gone before I could pick it up. So I guess that makes sense that this would show up in my feet. I really like the software you designed as well! Subscribed!

[@LindseyLouCats]

This is fantastic! All the videos please! Deep dives, how things work, results and setbacks. It is all highly interesting

[@vuxentillbarn2255]

Great storytelling and editing. Hands down the best first video for a new channel💪🏼

[@MartinMakesThings]

Thanks a lot for your kind words, really means a lot!

[@tombuster]

You can tell just gow mych thought went into this project - every design decision contributes to the reliability of the system, and is implemented in an elegant way. Very impressive work!

[@BenKoren]

What a great project! Thank you for sharing. I'm definitely interested in deep dive videos on this.

[@MacroAggressor]

Super cool project. Definitely interested in a follow up.

[@johnwickham]

Incredible, thanks for sharing this. I’m tuned in for more

[@arsenicjones9125]

Now this is an excellent idea! I’ve always felt scarves lacked a certain bit depth I could appreciate and here you are as herald cries the future is now

[@natecus4926]

This is an incredible video! Then I went to see what other videos you have and found out this is your first! I am absolutely blown away by your ingenuity

[@MartinMakesThings]

Thanks. I've been procrastinating about starting my channel for a long time 😆

[@theodoreburns1330]

I also dive down project paths like this, and would love to watch a deep dive!

[@Thedanahaines24]

Incredible! Loved hearing your process. Congratulations on a superb machine! This is truly NEXT LEVEL! You’re so smart. Thank you so much for sharing. Wishing you all the best in the future. And, like other commenters - looking forward to more. And, would totally buy this if it goes into production.

[@MartinMakesThings]

Thank you so much for your kind words

[@TABLESAWTIM]

That is cool. I have many uses for something like that. Nice software also. I'm a 60 year old DUDE with a foot long beard that lives where it's deeply cold for 8 to 10 months. I look forward to more and hopefully acquiring a few of your upgraded devices. Tim in North Idaho, USA.

[@pienasty]

I need to build something like this for my sister, guess i won't do it on time for this Christmas :D Great work, I''m really interested, it looks like a great hardware/software project do make in free time. Definitely want more of this journey!

[@auntweasie]

This is brilliant! I struggle to switch yarn by hand for Fairisle and you are giving me ideas on how to make it easier

[@MartinMakesThings]

It is actually possible to operate it completely manually. I was even playing with the idea of making a version without any electronics at all but with a button for switching colors and a counter that would reset for each color change, so keeping track of things would be easier.

[@charlesipes3962]

Guys like you just blow my mind with your ability for innovation. I'm in awe.

[@petertrzos6645]

def the beginnings of a great channel!

[@user-yq7hd9wg5o]

I would 100% use your custom knitwear service, and it would be so great for people who like textile design

[@thargor2k]

Really cool project, can't wait for another update!

[@KnyfFite]

This is an amazing creation. I'm excited to see more of what you can do with it, and I'd absolutely love to build a copy for myself if you ever release the design files.

[@alpacapacola7444]

This is so cool! I'm definitely interested in seeing more in-depth videos

[@ferenctaisz449]

Brilliant start of your KZbin channel. I'm looking forward to watch your future videos.

[@kywire._]

Hi, this is so wonderful

[@AaronEB]

this is beautiful! I hope you keep making many more videos! instant subscribe for this much competency & detail in one project.

[@bencohen9624]

Deep dive deep dive!!

[@xae-u8k]

Open source is amazing!! Thank you!

[@gabrieldai88]

Amazing. Cant wait to see new improvements

[@Stonebrick]

Oh this is so cool! I’m a ballet dancer, I’d love to make leg warmers like this! Please keep us posted!

[@MartinMakesThings]

Oh, that's brilliant! I was struggling to figure out how to use these tubes beyond scarves and hats! 😂

[@Tater1004]

This is fantastic! I’ve wanted a Kniterate for years, but starting with something like this would be perfect. I hope this project becomes available for purchase!

[@mlnfish]

Have a look at some of the older machines for simple ideas for mechanics empisal cardomatick springs to mind... Love this

[@caramonfire]

I've never seen anything like this before and it's fascinating. You may have found the only way to get me into knitting, haha!

[@che6755]

Can’t wait to see more on this machine!

[@celeneparker7898]

Could you do a video of just the machine at work like at the end of the video? Just watching the machine work is mesmerizing.

[@tobytait8827]

Super cool project! Subscribed to see the more in depth vid!

[@juliusmakes]

I always dreamed of something like this, awesome work!

[@MrGeckolicious]

This is some absolutely creative and clever design. GREAT work!

[@yvonne5784]

Subscriber 796 here. I love what you're doing here.

[@garnetisajewell]

Awesome! I will be following you. Thanks for your genius idea!

[@fintux]

Very cool! The software also looks brilliant. I could imagine a farm of devices like this, as I'm pretty sure one person could easily supervise quite a bunch of these machines especially if (or based on the video, when) you get the knot detection working.

[@maryefromky]

this is amazing! i'm a knitter and crocheter, and was really thinking about buying a knitting machine, but the flat bed ones are incredibly expensive. addi machines are more reasonable, and if i could more easily do colorwork knitting like this, i'd be in love. great job!

[@MartinMakesThings]

Hi! Please keep in mind that flat bed knitting machines and these plastic machines are two very different things. These plastic machines are more like toys 😀

[@_Error_404_Goodbye]

This is awesome. I’d be interested to look at the Arduino code and also see how this project progresses. It would also be nice to see an Arduino controlled sewing machine for cost on embroidery. I know a few exists already, but there doesn’t seem to be much information about them. Very cool project 👌🏼

[@MartinMakesThings]

Yeah that would be an interesting project indeed!

[@nancybellavance1423]

This is absolutely amazing!! I would love to purchase this & the software ASAP!! You are so BRILLIANT!! I'm subscribed!

[@Casey-ip7ug]

I adore this! Personally I use the Sentro because it was cheaper and I found I liked the 48 stitch count divisible by 6, 4,3, and 2. The idea of a using a third ball of yarn as support is something I have to try.

[@thecognacsipper]

1 min in, I subbed, Would love to see the long one!. I will now also watch ithis one the end of course

[@timothymccants6776]

Can't wait to see the next video, definitely want one of my own one day. Even if i have to 3d print it.

[@satsumamoon]

How terribly inventive you are! What patience and perseverance you have! Now, if you would only make one of these basic knitting mills with more needles youd be a very wealthy man.