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

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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

While knitters were frustrated that the piece was being represented by crochet, crocheters were irked that the piece talked so much about knitting.

From Slate ● Oct. 11, 2026

Robert reminds her when to take her medication, to do her washing and even gives her knitting tips.

From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2026

It is crucial to the city’s long-term plan of knitting together 300 miles of bikeways by 2040 to bring bicycle culture to Long Beach, as well as create safer streets.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 25, 2026

For example, aggressive knitting now won’t be counted as steps—and stroller walking will.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 19, 2026

Great heaps of knitting were folded and stacked all around.

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood

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