Calling all Knitters and Crocheters! Pattern Testers needed for an exciting new project!

Can you read patterns and are you interested in pattern testing something completely different?

The Yarning Connections project team at Walton Institute (SETU) have designed knitting and crochet craft patterns that include instructions on adding small lights (LEDs) powered by a coin cell battery and is seeking volunteers to test them. The magic behind illuminating the LEDs is the use of conductive yarn.

Electronic textiles or e-textiles are fabrics that enable electronic components such as batteries, lights, sensors and microcontrollers to be embedded in them.

Following months of experimentation and workshops with dedicated local knitters and crocheters https://youtu.be/C7LZ6Hnfjhg the project team have devised a draft version of an e-textile knitting pattern and an e-textile crochet pattern. Both the knitting and crochet pattern include similar base bodies with snap on accessories that light up when snapped in place. The accessories are also interchangeable between both.

Walton Institute are seeking pattern testing volunteers to test and provide feedback on these novel patterns. Your feedback is important before the team releases the final versions of the patterns next year, which will be available for free and for all to access under a creative commons licence. Pattern testing feedback will be collected anonymously via an online survey link.

Testers are required to use their own knitting needles or crochet hooks and provide honest feedback on the pattern/s tested. All other tools and materials will be supplied. Pattern testers can keep the e-textile crafts they make.

Pattern testing is to be carried out in a volunteer’s own time between Nov 22nd 2023 to 17th January 2024.

Two sign up sessions will be held in The Hub, Central Library so do call into us on the 22nd of November to see if this interests you.

• Morning session: Wednesday Nov. 22nd 10am-12noon
• Afternoon session: Wednesday Nov. 22nd 2pm to 4pm

Please note that while we will do our best to accommodate everyone interested, spaces are limited.

‘Yarning Connections’ is a Walton Institute (SETU) project funded by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Discover Programme with the aim of introducing yarn crafters to the STEM side of electronic textiles or e-textiles. This project is also supported by Europe Direct Waterford.

For further information visit https://waltoninstitute.ie/projects/yarning-connections

or contact Aileen Drohan, Walton Institute on Aileen.Drohan@waltoninstitute.ie