Knitted scales for the knitting/ sewing bees?

[Vidar]

I haven't seen knitted scales before? (Not actually knitted - 3D printed). More a proof of concept for some other thing around here, but I figured why not knit some scales while I'm at it. Interesting exercise if nothing else, and should be 3D printable. I'm thinking some slightly rubbery material for great grip, and maybe a real leather patch in the middle.

Any knitters around? Does the knitting seem too regular? Are there more randomness in real knitting?

[Vidar]

Those knits might have been too small. A thicker thread is also easier to print. I added quite a few imperfections in the knitting, but turns out the knitting pattern does a great job at hiding imperfections. 

[Max Stone]

My missus knits, and the problem with the image is the need to increase the number of stitches around the end as you need consistent tension between each stitch and the way the stitches are shown in the image would not work. About the smallest needle for hand knitting is 1.75mm with very fine yarn, such as for socks. Hand knitting to the dimensions in the image would be impossible...but a fun idea!

[Vidar]

Thank you for that. I see it would be preferable to knit some extra knots (?) on the end parts to keep the knot sizes more consistent. That might look more irregular though, and not sure I'm going for ultimate realism here anyway. Would that extra knot just add to a loop in the previous layer, or just go unconnected with the previous altogether?

If that one wont work that way then maybe with the knots going in circles upwards like this? All knots are now slightly different, but that pattern just hides everything anyway..

Practical hand knitting is not the plan here. With some rain dances, begging and pure luck I think I can convince a 3D printer to make this. (Ok, more likely repeated try and failure until failure no more - standard operating procedure then).

[Max Stone]

Yup, depending how much longer the next round of stitching would be, you’d add extra stitches two into the previous row’s one, at a set interval eg every 5 stitches.

Missus says that crochet would be easier for the round ends as this is a common technique for the soles of baby knit shoes.

[Vidar]

I'll check up on crothet then. Likely to learn something new I suspect!

What is easy in hands-on real life, and what is easy in manipulating curves in CAD program, might not be the same. But the more tools and techniques available the better. Maybe I should pick-up knitting.

I might give the 3D print a go later if I'm up for it. Then I should see if this is in the feasable for fun category or not.

[PitCarver]

That looks totally awesome.

[Vidar]

Thanks! If nothing else I do think it is a novelty.

Seems I stuck here over night due to bad weather, so I guess I might as well give the printing a go too. I don't think have any suitable colors here though. It will just be a print test anyway. It would still need to have attachments made and possible adaptions to replace the top part with real leather, and the remaining printed part would need holes for the seam. Anyway, we shall see soon I guess.

[Vidar]

Print test done using two sligthly different approaches. One turned out very well, while the other had some distortions.

I didn't have access to pressurized air due to orrible weather and laziness, and similarly only had the rather useless macro funtion on the phone to take the picture. So some residue left, and the picture leave a lot to be desired. It is what it is.

The detail is there though. The knots and thread would look better if they were bigger still. Would maybe even make it possible to cast them in bronze or aluminium.

[Max Stone]

Came out looking good!

[Vidar]

Yes, I think the 3D printing part will be fine. Apart from the rinsing I think that was a success. Fewer but bigger knots and thicker thread would look better, but it might be harder to make that agree to go around the rounded edges.

Crotchet looks interesting but is likely another project in itself. As for knitting then adding some more knots in longer layers would require some more knot setups and programming, but that should be doable. This is an offshot sideproject for experimenting anyway, so maybe I'll give that a shot later sometime. If succesful I could then "knit" all kinds of stuff. Knitted plier handles, knitted shoes, knitted belt pouches, knitted cell phone protectors.. Knitted covers for hearing protectors? Would look even more like ear warmers Anyway - more options.

Back to the scales it is a question of what material for any real use part. The one used now is high resolution, but might be a bit too hard and brittle for tool use. Wax would be interesting as it could be cast into metal afterwards. The level of detail is usually lower than the material used now though, and it tends to be more prone to distortions. So I'm thinking either some tough semi-hard technical plastic or alternatively a flexible more rubber like material. Not sure if the latter would attach well, but the grip might be quite comfortable.

[PitCarver]

Novelty, I don't think so.  If you can get the kinks out they'd be awesome.

Keep it up

[Max Stone]

The closest I got was a paracord pouch for my bugout bag. 

[Vidar]

I think that would be more like weaving? Nice way to bring along some paracord if need be.