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

And the 43-year-old achieved just that, successfully breaking the current world record for knitting the longest scarf while competing in the 26.2-mile race.

From BBC • Apr. 27, 2026

A simple visit to a museum or a live theater production can do wonders, as can a humble activity such as knitting.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

The State Department’s Pax Silica initiative is building the network the AI race requires, knitting together energy, critical minerals, semiconductor manufacturing and computing capacity across trusted nations.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 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

I’m good at knitting, but I don’t love it.

From "The Wrong Way Home" by Kate O’Shaughnessy