Knitted Interfaces for Technology

Craft & Design Yarncraft

laptopbti.jpg

I’ve been working on a project where I knit sweaters to go from gadgets to your body. They’re supposed to be a fun commentary on how attached and concentrated on technology we are, and to highlight the lack of movement that happens when we’re engrossed in our laptops, keyboards, PDAs, etc. I plan on making many more, and would be curious what ideas fellow crafters might have for different iterations. the one pictured above is for privacy, warmth, and concentration in public spaces while using a laptop.

18 thoughts on “Knitted Interfaces for Technology

  1. Anonymous says:

    This project looks really cool. I like how it physically shows how much using technology can muffle the outside world. But if you were to wear this in public, it would draw far more attention than using the device diverts. What would you do for an i-pod? It seems like it not only encapsulates the ears but tends to blanket a person’s entire awareness away from the outer world, so would you cover the face?
    This also reminds me of men who would come into the public library and look at online porn on public computers with coats draped over their heads and the monitors. It was a red flag for everyone who saw them that they were looking at something questionable–drawing more attention than otherwise. Such an interesting project.

  2. Anonymous says:

    How about a fingerless glove that holds a tv remote tight in your hand? There’d have to be a hole for the wrist and perhaps a “window” hole so you could see the buttons, but still tight enough to keep the remote in your grasp. Could also make it large enough to be a sling that holds your arm at the proper 90 angle to the tv.
    -Edward

  3. Knitted Interfaces for Technology Becky Stern says:

    I love it! Both excellent ideas. Thanks!

  4. sarahhh says:

    how about headphones with an incorporated eye-masque – allowing the listener to concentrate on the sound without the temptation of visual distraction?

  5. Violetwired says:

    If you did one for an ipod, it should maybe have tendrils or long pokey bits with bells on the ends coming out of it that are meant to annoy people sitting next to you on the bus, a visual representation of the sound a cranked ipod makes!
    This project is very intriguing and I love the laptop sweater!

  6. Anonymous says:

    someone else did this a few years ago with a sweatshirt that wrapped around the monitor in the same way.

  7. Slair says:

    Love the laptop knit, and I think they would sell too!
    How about a hoodie-type sweater where the pocket is a laptop carrying case? It could have built-in earphones and a special mouse pocket. Or a hand & mouse mitten so your fingers don’t get cold?

  8. Rachel says:

    my first thought… is that person watching porn?

  9. gillian says:

    What about a knitted representation of the immobility that accompanies knitting? I can’t seem to stop knitting!! Help!!!

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Becky Stern is a Content Creator at Autodesk/Instructables, and part time faculty at New York’s School of Visual Arts Products of Design grad program. Making and sharing are her two biggest passions, and she's created hundreds of free online DIY tutorials and videos, mostly about technology and its intersection with crafts. Find her @bekathwia on YouTube/Twitter/Instagram.

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