Knitter
Also known as: knitting artist, hand knitter, knitting pattern designer, knitting and crochet designer, knit designer, traditional knitter
About this occupation
Knitters create textiles or fabric by knitting pieces of yarn. They use traditional techniques to create interlocking loops of yarn which form a uniform piece of fabric. Knitters use different techniques, needles and yarn materials to create knitted materials of diverse proportions.
Essential skills and knowledge
- textile measurement
- evaluate textile characteristics
- maintain equipment
- types of textile fibres
- use manual knitting techniques
- control textile process
- cut textiles
- textile materials
- fabric types
- use textile technique for hand-made products
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders (O*NET 51-6063.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Observe woven cloth to detect weaving defects.
- Thread yarn, thread, and fabric through guides, needles, and rollers of machines for weaving, knitting, or other processing.
- Remove defects in cloth by cutting and pulling out filling.
- Examine looms to determine causes of loom stoppage, such as warp filling, harness breaks, or mechanical defects.
- Inspect products to ensure that specifications are met and to determine if machines need adjustment.
- Notify supervisors or repair staff of mechanical malfunctions.
- Typical education (US)
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- Preparation
- Job Zone 2 of 5
- Interests
- Realistic, Conventional, Investigative
Top skills: Operations Monitoring, Monitoring, Active Listening, Operation and Control, Speaking, Critical Thinking
US median pay: US$39,530 a year (2025), 13,030 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageImportant (3.2)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
- Sewing Machine Operators
- Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
- Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
- Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders
- Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers
- Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders
- Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
- Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders
- Print Binding and Finishing Workers
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.