UC Unveils New Digital Knitting Machine for Fashion and Textile Innovation

The advanced machine will enable DAAP students to create complex 3D knitted structures and develop industry-ready skills.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The University of Cincinnati's College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning (DAAP) has acquired a new 8-foot-long, 4-foot-wide, 3,200-pound digital knitting machine that will allow students to advance textile innovation, fashion design, and the creation of smart materials. The Stoll CMS 530 K 7.2 multi-gauge knitting machine integrates software and 3D prototyping capabilities, positioning DAAP students at the forefront of digital textile and fashion innovation.

Why it matters

This new machine gives DAAP students access to industry-leading technology and expands the college's capabilities in textile innovation. It will enable students to develop complex 3D knitted structures, prototype virtually, and gain competitive skills for careers in the rapidly evolving fashion and design industries.

The details

The digital knitting machine arrived at UC on January 30, 2026 after traveling by ship and train. It was funded through joint support from the Ullman School of Design, the Ullman Technology Fund, and FEMA funding for projects developing protective textiles. The machine can convert artwork into stitches, including color separations, making the design process faster and more precise. For the first project, the college plans to knit the 'Next Lives Here' emblem into a sweater, showcasing the machine's capabilities.

  • The machine arrived at UC on January 30, 2026.
  • The college plans to use the machine for its first project in the near future.

The players

University of Cincinnati College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning (DAAP)

The college that acquired the new digital knitting machine to expand its capabilities in textile innovation and prepare students for advanced careers in fashion and design.

Stoll CMS 530 K 7.2

The 8-foot-long, 4-foot-wide, 3,200-pound digital knitting machine that was acquired by DAAP, integrating software and 3D prototyping to enable the creation of complex 3D knitted structures.

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What they’re saying

“It's the software and the knitting machine we've just received that really allows us to take designs to the next level. I've been wanting to level up that ability for myself, but also for the students.”

— Timothy Hoh (Mirage News)

“This is how the fashion industry produces goods today. The software and programming open opportunities for jobs after graduation. With our Pantone X-ray scanner and Clo3D software, students can scan textures, prototype virtually, and knit directly from their designs.”

— Timothy Hoh (Mirage News)

What’s next

For the first project on the machine, the college plans to knit the 'Next Lives Here' emblem into a sweater, showcasing the machine's capabilities.

The takeaway

This new digital knitting machine positions DAAP students at the forefront of textile and fashion innovation, giving them access to industry-leading technology and enabling them to develop complex 3D knitted structures, prototype virtually, and gain competitive skills for advanced careers in the rapidly evolving design industries.