Creative Design: Graduate

Pulse in Yarn: A Tuft-Knit Diary of Daily Heart Rhythms

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Abstract

This design project transforms everyday heart rhythms into a tactile textile diary. Over seven consecutive days, heart rate data was recorded using an Apple Watch in 20-minute intervals, then normalized and mapped to a parametric grid in Grasshopper. Each of the seven daily datasets was assigned to a separate section of a hand-knitted dress and inner skirt. Normalized values defined tuft length from one to ten centimeters, creating peaks and valleys of volumetric texture. Six types of white yarns were randomly distributed to add subtle variation in sheen, thickness, and twist while preserving an overall monochrome palette. Hand knitting, punch needle tufting, and crochet were then used to construct the garment. The resulting dress reframes biometric data as tangible material experience rather than screen-based visualization, inviting tactile engagement with embodied rhythms through density, relief, and touch.

Keywords: Biometric data, Parametric design, Textile craft, Tufting

How to Cite:

Choi, S. & Jo, J., (2025) “Pulse in Yarn: A Tuft-Knit Diary of Daily Heart Rhythms”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 82(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.21813