INSTALLING AYAB
Since the AYAB-ready machines are cheaper
and more available, let’s look at how to install
the AYAB hack.
As it’s open source hardware, you could build
it all yourself, but usually you buy an AYAB board
from one of three small suppliers, then unplug
some connectors in your knitting machine
and plug the new board in instead. For the
shield version you attach the new board to the
machine’s power; for the interface version, plug
in an external power brick. The whole process is
completely reversible; you don’t need to cut or
solder any connections in your machine, so you
can put its original electronics back at any time.
Then you download the software from ayab-
knitting.com and install it on Mac, Windows,
or Linux. You’ll also need drivers, either the
standard Arduino driver or a driver from SiLabs
for the interface hardware. Plug in a standard
USB cable, download the Arduino firmware, and
you’re ready to open an image file and knit.
To watch a video of the AYAB installation
process, please visit my Makey Puppet project at
makeprojects.com/project/knit-a-puppet-using-
a-hacked-knitting-machine.
KNITERATE
You may have noticed a Kickstarter a few years
ago for a new knitting machine that fills the
gap between hobby machines and huge, super-
expensive industrial machines. The Kniterate
machines began shipping in 2020, and reports
so far are looking good. Due to its size and price
($14K), this is not a machine that most hobbyists
will want, it’s more for small-scale production
and prototyping of knitwear, or for colleges and
makerspaces. A possible scenario is a business
where the customer can design their sweater
online and the Kniterate machine knits the
pieces. The knitting and shaping is a lot more
automated than the Brother hobby machines,
but some sewing up and hand finishing is still
needed to complete a garment. kniterate.com
1. Remove the existing control unit. 2. Unplug the cables.
3. Plug the cables into your AYAB board.
4. Plug in the USB and power into your interface (or shield).
SKILL BUILDER: Pixel Knitting
makercampus.com114
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