Seamless Knitwear - the Design Skills Gap

3D seamless knitwear machinery allows the creation of virtually finished garments, which require little to no make-up. The introduction of this technology forces a conceptual shift in the way knitted garments are both designed and created. Moreover, it challenges educators to re-evaluate the curriculum for textile or fashion design courses.This study is based upon a survey of UK Higher Education Institutions, which are currently teaching knitwear design within their curricula. It discusses what is currently being taught with regards to seamless knitwear design and compares this with the views of a number of industrialists. It finally offers some suggestions as to how to teach seamless concepts.