KAST - Thiết bị đếm hàng đan (Knitting Assistant)

Summary
KAST is a 3D printable enclosure for a DIY knitting assistant based on the Waveshare ESP32-S3-LCD-1.69 board. The device is designed to help knitters count rows, show the current row number, and display battery percentage on the built-in screen. It uses three external buttons for adding rows, removing rows, and universal reset / secondary actions.

Full firmware, BOM, wiring notes, and assembly instructions are available on GitHub:

https://github.com/Nikolay-Tyulkin/KAST

Description
KAST is a compact handheld knitting row counter and assistant designed around the Waveshare ESP32-S3-LCD-1.69 development board.

The case is made for a small battery-powered device with a visible screen and three physical buttons. The main screen shows large row digits for easy reading while knitting, plus battery percentage and firmware version information.

The project is intended for knitters who want a dedicated physical row counter instead of using a phone app, notebook, or mechanical clicker. The buttons are simple and direct: one button adds a row, one button removes a row, and the universal button is used for reset confirmation and secondary actions depending on press type.

The firmware is written for ESP-IDF and stores session/history data in NVS. It supports row counting, pause, finish, reset confirmation, statistics, battery percentage display, and firmware version display.

The GitHub repository contains the full build documentation, bill of materials, wiring details, ESP-IDF firmware, flashing instructions, and assembly notes.

Features

• 3D printable enclosure for a knitting assistant

• Designed for Waveshare ESP32-S3-LCD-1.69

• Large row counter display

• Battery percentage shown on screen

• Firmware version shown on screen

• Three-button control layout

• + button for adding rows

• - button for removing rows

• Universal button for reset / secondary actions

• Battery-powered portable design

• ESP-IDF firmware project

• USB access for flashing and charging

• Compact handheld form factor

• Useful for knitting, crochet, row tracking, and project progress counting

Use Cases

• Knitting row counter

• Crochet row counter

• Handmade project tracking

• Portable craft counter

• Dedicated alternative to phone counter apps

• DIY ESP32-S3 project

• Maker desk project

• Gift project for knitters

• Firmware and enclosure reference for small embedded devices

Print Settings

• Material: PLA / PETG

• Layer height: 0.16-0.24 mm

• Infill: 10-25%

• Walls: 2-3

• Supports: depends on print orientation and exact case version

• Raft/Brim: optional

Print the front face carefully so the display opening stays clean and the board fits without stress.

Required Hardware

• Waveshare ESP32-S3-LCD-1.69 board

• 3 external momentary buttons 12x12 mm

• Battery suitable for the board / enclosure version

• Wires for buttons and battery connection

• Optional screws, inserts, glue, or printed pins depending on the case revision

Button Wiring

Confirmed external button GPIO mapping:

• + button: GPIO2

• - button: GPIO16

• Universal button: GPIO17

• Each button is connected between GPIO and GND

• Active level: low / 0

Firmware

The firmware is an ESP-IDF project, not Arduino or PlatformIO.

Firmware and full instructions:

https://github.com/Nikolay-Tyulkin/KAST

Current MVP firmware features:

• Row counter

• Add row

• Remove row

• Pause session

• Finish session

• Reset confirmation flow

• Battery percentage display

Customization
The enclosure can be customized for different button styles, colors, battery sizes, and mounting preferences.

You can print the buttons in a contrasting color, add labels or symbols, change the case color, or remix the enclosure for another battery or connector layout.

The screen area should remain clear and readable. For best usability, keep the row digits large and make sure the battery percentage is visible.

Assembly Notes
Print the case parts and test-fit the Waveshare ESP32-S3-LCD-1.69 board before final assembly.

The strap is designed to be cast from silicone. A 3D printable mold for casting the strap is included in the project files. Print the mold from PLA with a recommended layer height of 0.12 mm for a smoother mold surface and better strap finish.

For the strap, use flexible silicone with approximately Shore A 40 hardness. This gives the strap enough flexibility for comfortable use while still keeping it firm enough to hold its shape and lock properly.

Prepare the mold, cast the silicone strap, and let the silicone fully cure before removing the strap from the mold and installing it on the device.

Install the board so the display is aligned with the screen opening. Connect the three external buttons to the confirmed GPIO pins and GND. Check that the USB port remains accessible for firmware flashing and charging.

Flash the ESP-IDF firmware from the GitHub repository. After flashing, verify that the firmware version is visible at the bottom of the screen, the row count starts correctly, the + and - buttons change the row counter, and the battery percentage is displayed.

For battery diagnostics, the firmware logs values such as ADC raw value, ADC millivolts, calculated battery millivolts, and percentage.

Important Note
This is a DIY electronics enclosure and firmware project. It requires assembly, wiring, and firmware flashing.

Check wiring carefully before powering the device. The project is designed for ESP-IDF and the Waveshare ESP32-S3-LCD-1.69 board.