knit

Knitting is a method of fabric construction in which yarn is interlaced to form a series of connected loops called stitches. The fabric created is usually stretchy and forms a smooth surface on the side showing the knitted stitches. Knitting can be done by hand or by machine, and is used to make clothing, accessories, and household textiles.

The basic building blocks are the knit stitch and the purl stitch. The knit stitch creates a vertical wales pattern and the purl stitch creates a bumpier texture. By alternating rows of knit and purl stitches, designers produce fabrics such as stockinette, garter, ribbing, or more complex patterns including cables and lace.

Tools and materials: Hand knitting uses needles in various forms—straight needles for flat work, circular needles for knitting in the round, and double‑pointed needles for small circumferences. Yarn weight and fiber (such as wool, cotton, acrylic) determine gauge and texture. Knitted fabric can also be produced by industrial knitting machines, including flatbed and circular machines, which knit fabrics on a continuous roll.

Care and finishing: after knitting, pieces are often blocked to even edges and adjust size; finishing may involve sewing seams, weaving in ends, and blocking to set shape. The term knit is also used as an adjective (knit fabric) and in fashion, book, and craft contexts.

History: While the exact origins of knitting are uncertain, evidence and records indicate that knitting developed in the medieval world, with knitted items appearing in various regions by the late Middle Ages. Today, knitting remains a popular hobby and a major industry activity.