Wait… what row am I on?

KnitPilot started with the simple realization that the knitting machine at our university doesn't have a row counter anymore. Because a row counter is quite essential for knitting projects and following knitting instructions, I decided to build a new one.

The goal of "KnitPilot", is to make row tracking reliable, effortless, and hard to mess up, without turning it into an overcomplicated “smart everything” device. At its core, KnitPilot is a smart row counter you attach to a knitting machine. Rows are counted by a Reed switch, which detects the magnet that is attached to the sled. If the sled is moved, the magnetic reed switch sends an impulse to an ESP32-S3, which then counts the rows. A small OLED display shows the current row number clearly at all times. Four buttons let you quickly increase/decrease the count if you notice an error, and let you reset when starting a new piece. Optional feedback like an RGB LED and buzzer helps confirm actions and status.

After proving the idea on a breadboard, the project moved into a proper build: schematic and PCB design in KiCad, ordering boards, and then assembling the electronics using a hotplate. The hardware is intentionally focused; it does one job well: counting rows and giving you intuitive controls to correct mistakes.

Where KnitPilot becomes more than “just a counter” is the web app. The device can sync its row count to a browser-based interface, so you can follow tutorials and step-by-step instructions while you knit. Instead of juggling paper notes or PDFs, you can pick a tutorial, see what to do at each stage, and have the current row tracked live. The app is designed to be frictionless: open a URL, choose a tutorial, and start knitting. The counter and web app sync automatically, without a pairing process.