Showing results for "knitting"

• present participle of knit.

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

See Examples For:

knitting

Apple under Tim Cook’s leadership has illustrated the virtues of sticking to one’s knitting.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 2, 2026

A third joined a knitting club and found it was the best part of her week.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 18, 2026

With spinning, weaving, dyeing and knitting facilities -- the Glo-Djigbe site exported its first garments in 2024 for the French retailer Kiabi, followed by other international brands such as US Polo.

From Barron's ● Jul. 10, 2026

The result is that people now see shared pursuits — a weekly tennis game, a book club, a knitting circle — as potential products to claim and monetize.

From Salon ● Jul. 7, 2026

I sat there with the knitting in my lap, staring first at the wool, the color of oats, and then at the turf in the hearth, bits of glowing orange blocks.

From "Nory Ryan’s Song" by Patricia Reilly Giff