3D Knitting: A new frontier for furniture design

Introducing Knit One, where material innovation meets minimal impact.

At Isomi, our approach has always been defined by an ambition to work with materials in their purest, most purposeful form. With the Knit One Chair, we are taking this commitment further exploring how 3D knitting technology can unlock a more resourceful, intelligent way to make furniture.

3D knitting is, at its essence, a digital manufacturing process that transforms a spool of yarn into a fully formed, three dimensional textile shape created directly on the knitting machine, without the need for cutting, stitching or excess trimming. This precise method has already reshaped industries like sportswear and footwear, celebrated for its ability to produce complex forms with minimal waste and remarkable structural integrity. In furniture, however, the possibilities of 3D knitting are only just beginning to be realised. Traditionally, upholstery involves layering foams, fabrics and fillers, glued and stapled into place, a process that generates off cuts, requires multiple materials, and makes recycling complicated at best. Knit One rethinks this entirely.

Rather than foam, we use air. Rather than multiple layers, we work with a single knitted sleeve. This sleeve is engineered to shape, using recycled yarns and mono filament structural fibres that give the knit both form and strength. The ribbed pattern references classic stitched upholstery but brings new texture and transparency, revealing how the piece is made rather than hiding it. The result is a fully recyclable, fully reversible cover that simply drops over a lightweight metal frame; no glue, no off cuts, no hidden waste.

The value of 3D knitting extends far beyond what is visible. It is inherently digital, enabling localised, on demand production that responds to need rather than producing stock that sits unused. It reduces shipping impact: the Knit One frame arrives flat packed, assembled on site with minimal tools, while the knitted sleeve is light, easy to handle, and designed for disassembly and recycling when its first life is done.

For us, Knit One is more than a product, it’s a statement of how our industry can shift towards circular design principles and smarter, leaner manufacturing. The system itself, a lounge chair, straight module, angled module and solid wood bolt on table is intentionally simple but highly adaptable, encouraging spaces to evolve without excess.

By combining advanced digital knitting with our commitment to material integrity, we believe it’s possible to create contract furniture that delivers comfort and longevity with less. Less waste, less weight, less environmental burden. And perhaps, more meaning in the materials that remain.