
other patterning methods and causing a boom
in machine knitting. Punch cards are a direct
descendant from the very first automated
patterning on weaving looms, back around 1800.
Another boost happened in the early 1980s when
the patterning moved to using electronics; these
are the machines we’ll be using here.
Enthusiasm waned in the 1990s and all the
major companies stopped manufacturing home/
hobby machines by 1999. The sole survivor was
Silver Reed, later joined by Taitexma and Artisan
Cool 1970s punch card
technology, but cannot take
the current hacks. The back
of the work is facing you as
you knit, finished sample
shown on the left. ...