Knitter

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.

Excludes knitting machine supervisor.

The duties of a knitter include, but are not limited to:

• Reading design patterns
• Creating knitting samples
• Producing ‘made-to-order’ products by hand or on domestic machines
• Using industrial knitters for production line work
• Finishing products by hand
• Checking quality

The following job titles also refer to knitter:

hand knitter
knitting and crochet designer
traditional knitter
knitting artist
lacemaker
knitting pattern designer
warp knitter
knit designer

No formal educational credential is generally required to work as a knitter.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Knitter is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to knitter.

weaver
knitting machine operator
carpet handicraft worker
weaving machine operator
tufting operator

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of knitter. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of knitter with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

textile chemical quality technician
textile quality technician
textile operations manager
textile sourcing merchandiser
textile process controller

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of knitter.

• Textile materials: Have a good understanding of the properties of different textile materials.
• Fabric types: Woven, non-woven, knitted fabrics and netting fabrics, technical fabrics such as Gore-Tex and Gannex.
• Types of textile fibres: The variety of textile fibres both natural such as wool and hemp and man-made or synthetic fibers.
• Textile measurement: Textile measurement units, such as mommes, thread count (the degree of coarseness of a fabric), picks per inch (PPI) and ends per inch (EPI).

These skills are necessary for the role of knitter.

• Use manual knitting techniques: Create handmade knitted fabrics by using traditional handicraft techniques to knit ropes of yarn.
• Use textile technique for hand-made products: Using textile technique to produce hand-made products, such as carpets, tapestry, embroidery, lace, silk screen printing, wearing apparel, etc.
• Control textile process: Plan and monitor textile production to achieve control on behalf of quality, productivity and delivery time.
• Maintain equipment: Regularly inspect and perform all required activities to maintain the equipment in functional order prior or after its use.
• Cut textiles: Cut textiles fitting to customers’ desires and needs.
• Evaluate textile characteristics: Evaluate textiles and their properties in order to manufacture products in conformity with specifications.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of knitter. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Knitting machine technology: Manufacturing technologies which use loop forming techniques to convert yarns into fabrics in order to form knitted fabrics.
• Health and safety in the textile industry: The requirements, rules and applications of health and safety measures in the textile industry.
• Textile industry: Major textile manufacturers on the market of various brands and materials.
• Textile technologies: Textile technologies to design, manufacture and evaluate the properties of textiles.
• Textile trends: Latest developments in textile fabrics and textile methods.
• Textile techniques: Have a thorough understanding of textile processing techniques.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of knitter. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Manufacture knitted textiles: Perform the operation, monitoring and maintenance of machines and processes to manufacture knitted products keeping efficiency and productivity at high levels.
• Produce textile samples: Make up textile samples or have them fabricated by specialised workers or technicians.
• Modify textile designs: Edit sketches and digital textile designs until they meet up with customers’ requirements.
• Produce textile designs: Draw sketches for textile design, by hand or on computer, using specialist Computer Aided Design (CAD) software.
• Sell textiles fabrics: Sell textile fabrics such as cotton, wool, linen and synthetic fabrics.
• Work in textile manufacturing teams: Work harmoniously with colleagues in teams in the textile and clothing manufacturing industries.
• Create patterns for textile products: Create a two-dimensional model used to cut the material for textile products such as tents and bags, or for individual pieces needed for upholstery work.

7318 – Handicraft workers in textile, leather and related materials

---

References

1. Knitter – ESCO
2. Knitter – career guide and latest jobs
3. Featured image: Photo by Marina Ermakova on Unsplash