Use the Teensy board to fake Human Interface Device (HID) input. Human interface devices are recognized by your computer without need for drivers or custom software. They include computer mice, keyboards and joysticks. You can program the Teensy using arduino!!!

also: loop stitch, fur stitch, crocet loop fabric
I really like the following loopy samples. There are different techniques and they can either be crocheted or knitted. The loops can be left as loops or cut and they will not unravel as the way it is worked essentially ties off the ends.

also: Massage me: How to get what you want
This workshop references the motivations behind creating Massage me. We wanted a free massage, so we decided to modify an existing scenario for our benefit. Participants are encouraged to consider alternative interaction scenarios concerning console gaming and must think about how different, and possibly soft input methods, [...]

Most of our processing code we use to visualize our sensor input is based on the following “arduino meets Processing” Potentiometer example.

The following CNMAT and Wikipedia entries cover all the important explanations of why you need and how to place pull-up or pull-down resistors.

This sensor senses stroke in multiple directions. Using a technique similar to that for carpet making, conductive threads are distributed in patches and patches are connected together on the back side. Within the patches the threads are connected and when the threads of one patch make contact with the threads of another patch, this can [...]

These sensors measure pressure and can also be designed and placed to measure bend. They work on the simple principal that Velostat reacts to pressure with a decrease in electrical resistance. When sandwiched between two conductive layers, this change in resistance can be easily measured and used as an indication of how much pressure is [...]