THE WORKSHOP
Do you want to explore every aspect of knitwear development and production—from design to industrial manufacturing—to create innovative and sustainable collections?
This workshop is ideal for Textile Designers and (Junior) Fashion Designers looking to develop their knitwear skills, as well as Fashion Buyers wanting to understand sustainable knitwear production strategies.
You don’t need prior experience in machine knitting or knitwear programming—we'll cover the fundamentals. If you already have some knowledge, you can quickly advance.
WHEN & WHERE
Thursday, May 21 – Friday, May 22, 2025
SHIFT Microfactory, VORN Space @ BIKINI Berlin
Budapester Str. 38-50, 10787 Berlin
Each day runs from 10:00 to 17:00, starting with an introduction to knitwear and sustainability. You'll explore key stages of development, from material selection to digital tools and industrial production.
GROUP SIZE
6–10 participants
IN DETAIL
We take you through the complete knitwear production cycle — in 2 days.
DAY 1: Understanding the Fundamentals
Morning: Why Knitwear is Different
The industrial knitting process - from Design to Product
Machine anatomy: needles, gauges, stitch formation
Material behavior: what happens to yarn when it's knitted (and washed)
Afternoon: From Design to Machine
Digital tools: how designs translate to machine instructions
Sustainability strategies: material choices, waste reduction, circular design principles
Live demo: watch a design go from screen to knitted sample
DAY 2: Hands-On Production
Morning: Materials & Structures
Yarn types, dyeing, finishing techniques
Jacquard, single-bed, double-bed construction — what's possible where
Pattern libraries: understanding stitch structures and their limitations
Afternoon: Building Your Knitwear Project
Practical session: Choose yarn, structure, pattern — build a sample piece
Introduction to machine programming (we'll show you the basics, you don't program yourself)
Q&A: Bring your own design challenges — we'll troubleshoot together
End of Day 2: You leave with:
A knitted sample you created during the workshop
Clear understanding of what's feasible in production (and what's not)
A framework you can use for every future knitwear project — from yarn selection to finishing
PRICES & CONDITIONS
WHAT IS CONTAINED?
Two-day workshop
Material package and practice materials
Use of knitting machines
Coffee, tea, juice & fruit
One-year membership in the VORN Community
Certificate of completion
WHAT DOES THE KNITWEAR INSIDE OUT WORKSHOP COST?
Participation fee € 490 (excl. VAT).
Early Bird pricing available:
Save 10% until 30.4.2026 with Code YARN10Team packages for multiple participants available on request
The participation fee of the workshop is tax-deductible.
More information here.
MORE DATES IN 2025/26
26 - 26 February
3 – 4 September
19 – 20 November
TAX DEDUCTION
Good to know: Information on tax deductions, public funding options, participation requirements, and booking details can be found in our FAQ.
INTROCUCING THE INSTRUCTORS
FRANCESCA PEDRINI
Francesca Pedrini is a knitwear expert with a Master’s in Fashion Knitwear Design from Nottingham Trent University.
She brings extensive experience from Knitwear Lab Amsterdam and the Prada Group Milan, where she specialized in Stoll programming and flat-bed knitting. Now leading the Knit Studio at the SHIFT Microfactory, Francesca is at the forefront of automated knitting innovation, bridging design and technology.
With a deep understanding of industrial knitting techniques and sustainable production, she is passionate about pushing the boundaries of modern knitwear.
FRIEDERIKE PFEFFER / ITO ITO
Friederike Pfeffer is the CEO and co-founder of ito ito, a startup redefining sustainable knitwear production.
With a strong background in textile innovation and digital manufacturing, she specializes in bridging the gap between traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology. Passionate about scalability and industrial application, Friederike is dedicated to making knitwear development more efficient, sustainable, and future-oriented.
As an instructor, she brings industry expertise, business insight, and hands-on knowledge, guiding participants through the creative and technical possibilities of modern knitwear production.