#Knitting & Hosiery

2021-06-16

Two brands – one objective: Innovations for the creative process

Opening up a whole new world of pattern creation with significantly simplified development and accelerated programming – these are the benefits of CREATE, a new design software for flat knitted fabrics. And this makes CREATE another great contribution to the digitisation of the entire knitwear design and development process.

Synergies between STOLL and KM.ON for the benefit of customers

STOLL and KM.ON – two successful KARL MAYER Group brands – combined their expertise and creativity for the new offering CREATE to maximise the benefits for their customers. STOLL is a pioneer in flat knitting technology and brings unique process knowledge to its business, which results in perfect flat knitting solutions and excellent customer support. KM.ON is an agile specialist in innovative software products, as well as digital solutions and services for the textile industry.

CREATE belongs to the k.innovation category of KM.ON solutions that focus on an accelerated design-to-market workflow.

CREATE’s key features

With a well-thought-out shape and grading tool, CREATE offers the possibility to create shapes and to implement customised adaptations or size adjustments just as easily. An important part of the tool is a shape library with numerous presets.

For the creation of knitted fabrics, an integrated yarn library offers a first selection of standard and fancy yarns, that will be continuously updated. Additionally, there is the possibility to create your own yarns.

The software includes an extensive library with different stitch constructions that can be used for the design. Additionally, the customer can create own digital stitch constructions with simultaneous stitch simulation and to run technical design checks.

The virtual fabric views have a true-to-life imitation of the stitches and their distortions, which makes it possible to conceptualise and plan a collection with fewer or no physical sample pieces. With a colourway generator, different colour combinations can also be tried out.

Last but not least, the design program can be used as a basis for the knitting programme. Once a technician has completed various checks, the knitting process can then be started immediately.

More information about CREATE will be available on the KARL MAYER Group’s exhibition stand at ITMA ASIA + CITME, 12 to 16 June, A 35/Hall 4 at the NECC Shanghai and also on the STOLL website:

https://www.stoll.com/en/software/kinnovation-create/

Techtextil 2026: KARL MAYER impresses as an innovative sector partner

KARL MAYER looks back with satisfaction on its participation in Techtextil 2026. From April 21 to 24, the international industry leader used the trade show in Frankfurt to meet with numerous key customers at its booth and, at the same time, establish many new contacts. Most visitors came from Germany, followed by major markets such as Poland, the United Kingdom, Turkey, France, and Portugal.

“We Believe in the Value of Textiles”: Successful Opening of the KARL MAYER TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTER

KARL MAYER inaugurated its new, state-of-the-art TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTER (TIC) with a four-day opening week from April 21 to 24. The highlight of the week was the grand opening on Thursday, which drew a strong turnout from the international textile industry: around 220 customers, brands, and partners from across the textile value chain came to the company’s headquarters in Obertshausen for a first-hand look at the new high-tech development environment and lively exchange with industry peers.

KARL MAYER strengthens partnerships in the composites industry at JEC World 2026

KARL MAYER further strengthened its role as a reliable and competent partner to the composites industry at JEC World 2026. The global market leader in textile machinery manufacturing used the trade show to meet key customers, establish numerous new contacts, and engage in in-depth technical discussions.

Driving WARP KNIT Inspiration

KARL MAYER sees performance fabrics and next-level textile solutions in particular as potential growth drivers for its customers, as a motor for business development and as real game changers for the entire textile industry. Innovation does not happen by chance. It is the result of close exchange with customers & brands, textile expertise and competence in textile machine engineering. This is why KARL MAYER is investing in progress and collaborative development and opening its TEXTILE INNOVATION CEN-TER (TIC) – a place to be for the entire textile world.

Closing completed – Mayer & Cie. Global starts business operations

The future of the Mayer & Cie. brand has been secured: Following the successful completion of the purchase agreement for assets in the circular knitting machinery segment of the German traditional company Mayer & Cie., which was signed in February this year, the brand will continue to exist. The transfer of these assets to the new owner, Xu Hongjie, was formally completed yesterday afternoon. This clears the way for the resumption of business operations at the Albstadt site.

Shima Seiki showcases WHOLEGARMENT® and 3D knitting solutions for technical textiles at Techtextil 2026

Leading textile technology solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, along with its Italian subsidiary SHIMA SEIKI ITALIA S.p.A., will be participating in the Techtextil 2026 exhibition in Frankfurt, Germany next month. On display will be WHOLEGARMENT® and other advanced three-dimensional knitting applications across a wide range of industries besides fashion apparel that are not typically associated with knitting, such as technical textiles using industrial materials and advanced three-dimensional knitting.

BTMA backs global growth while investing in future UK leaders

As one of a number of new initiatives launched this year, the British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) is launching the UK-India Textile Machinery Coalition. The UK-India Free Trade Agreement, signed in July 2025, has implications that extend across sourcing, competitiveness and long-term trade dynamics, believes BTMA CEO Jason Kent.

China projected to increase cotton production, yields, and imports in 2026/27

World cotton production in the 2026/27 season is projected at 25.9 million tonnes, exceeding global consumption of 25.2 million tonnes, according to the May 2026 issue of Cotton This Month. That means both production and consumption are expected to remain close to current season levels, while global cotton trade is projected to decline by 2.7% to approximately 9.6-9.7 million tonnes.