Loom-Based Mechanized Crochet

Textiles are increasingly recognized in architecture and robotics for their adaptability to diverse shapes, low environmental impact, and lightweight character. While flatbed knitting has enabled the production of complex 3D composites and formwork, the low internal strength and geometric limits of knitted fabrics restrict their structural potential. Crochet, by contrast, offers higher tensile strength, greater three-dimensional extensibility, and the ability to generate arbitrary topological surfaces through its variable stitch geometry. However, the craft has yet to be mechanized due to its complexity and dense stitch structure. This project introduces a new framework for robotic crochet, which translates the handicraft into a loom-based fabrication process. A robotic arm equipped with a latch-needle end effector builds stitches from any point in a constrained fabric matrix, supported by a passive yarn tensioning system. This approach enables the reliable automation of crochet for producing intricate three-dimensional morphologies in architectural composites, soft robotics, and biomedical applications.