Innovative Integration of Modern Woollen Weaving Technology and Ruyuan Yao Patterns in Children’s Clothing Design

Ping Wang, Chen Yang, Jianhao Zhu, Shaoqin Pan, Xuan Li, Fengya Zhang, Yuan Lin, Xujia Xin

Article
2026 / Volume 9 / Pages 1254-1292
Received 14 July 2025; Accepted 30 September 2025; Published 29 April 2026
https://doi.org/10.31881/TLR.2026.1254

Abstract
This study integrates traditional Ruyuan Yao motifs with modern woollen knitting to develop a child-wearable design framework. Thirty representative patterns were documented through fieldwork in Ruyuan Yao Autonomous County and reconstructed into a modular digital library; five garment sets were then fabricated using 12-gauge jacquard mapping and evaluated for cultural/semantic retention by Yao intangible-heritage inheritors, for technical performance through standardised textile tests, and for user acceptance in wear trials. Pixel-level comparisons showed high fidelity between knitted motifs and their digital references, with pattern restoration reaching 92.5%; expert appraisal indicated strong semantic retention (≈92.3%); and prototypes satisfied children’s safety requirements under GB 31701-2015 (Class B). In wear testing (n = 20), children reported high comfort (mean 8.6/10) and parents expressed high purchase intention (84%). Limitations include the modest size of the child cohort and the focus on a single knitting gauge and material system, which may constrain generalisability. Overall, the work offers a replicable route for translating ethnic visual culture into contemporary children’s clothing while maintaining engineering feasibility and cultural integrity.

Keywords
Ruyuan Yao Patterns, woollen children’s clothing, innovative application, pattern reconstruction, comfort