3D Printer for Knitting Lets You Make a Sweater Without Picking Up Needles

The repetitive, meditative nature of knitting can have therapeutic benefits for some crafters. For others, it eats up spare time they don’t have. If you’re looking for a quicker way to produce knitted masterpieces, a special type of 3D printer currently seeking funds through Kickstarter may be exactly what you need.

Kniterate works like an industrial knitting machine, but on a much smaller scale. The contraption can produce hats, scarves, shoes, sweaters, and other garments in a matter of hours where it would take an individual knitter days to do the same. And while the knitting isn’t done by hand, Kniterate still gives owners the chance to be creative.

After deciding what they want to make, users can visualize their designs on the computer. Kniterate then takes the digital file and translates it into a real-life knitting formula. The text, images, and patterns that adorn the creations are limited only by the user's imagination. If that sounds like an overwhelming amount of freedom, Kniterate also offers a library of templates from which to choose.

The product is currently in the midst of a crowdfunding campaign, and it’s already more than doubled its initial $100,000 goal. Backers have more than a month to pledge $4700 and reserve a Kniterate of their own. If you don’t have the money to invest in a fancy knitting machine, 3D-knitted scarves are also available for $50.