Machine knitting utilizes specifically designed instructions to create knitted fabrics. These instructions, formatted for machine compatibility, dictate needle selection, yarn manipulation, and carriage movements to produce the desired stitch patterns and garment shapes. A simple example would be a series of instructions creating a ribbed pattern by alternating knit and purl stitches across a designated number of needles.
This specialized approach offers significant advantages over hand knitting, including increased speed and the capacity for complex, intricate designs. The automation allows for consistent stitch quality and rapid production of multiple identical items. Historically, the development of machine knitting patterns revolutionized textile production, enabling mass manufacturing and influencing fashion trends. These standardized instructions allowed for consistent reproduction of complex designs, democratizing access to intricate knitwear.