knitting

American  

[nit-ing] / ˈnɪt ɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of a person or thing that knits.

2. the act of forming a fabric by looping a continuous yarn.

3. knitted work.

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idioms

1. stick / tend to one's knitting,

   1. to mind one's own business.

      Don't worry about my work—just tend to your knitting.

   2. to devote oneself to one's assignments or responsibilities.

      Years of sticking to his knitting finally paid off.

knitting British  

/ ˈnɪtɪŋ /

noun

1. 1. knitted work or the process of producing it

   2. ( as modifier )

      a knitting machine

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Etymology

Origin of knitting

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at knit, -ing ¹

Explanation

The craft of using long needles to interweave yarn is called knitting. If you work on your knitting skills, you might be able to make your sister a sweater for her birthday. Commercial knitting is done on machines — that's how they make most mass-produced sweaters you see in stores. The knitting you might do at home happens more slowly, using knitting needles and skeins of yarn. You can use the word for your project, too: "Where did I put my knitting? I was almost finished with that infinity scarf!" The noun knitting comes from the verb knit and its Old English root meaning "a knot."

Example Sentences

One day, an aspiring inventor brought in a knitting machine that he was working on, which may have planted a seed in Howe’s mind for his future creation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

Now he presents Game of Wool: Britain's Best Knitter, Channel 4's competitive knitting show which is filmed in Ayrshire.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

They brought books, knitting, thermoses of coffee or something more muscular.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2026

"I really want to celebrate the fact that there are so many women around the world who are working so humbly on domestic skills ... like sewing, hand knitting," she said.

From Barron's • Feb. 18, 2026

Her brows were pinched together like a couple of busy knitting needles, and she kept on trying to make sense of the nighttime garden scene.

From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan