Knitting machine operator
Also called knitter operator, knitting machinist, knitting machine setter
Knitting machine operators set up, operate and monitor knitting machines. They work with specialised machinery, techniques and materials to process threads of yarn into knitted products such as clothing, carpets or rope. They maintain and repair knitting machinery and ensure operations run without problems.
What you'd do
Weaving and knitting machine operators · ILO- Setting up and operating batteries of automatic, link-type knitting machines to knit garments of specified pattern and design
- Threading yarn, thread and fabric through guides, needles, and rollers of machines for weaving, knitting or other processing
- Tending automatic looms that simultaneously weave pile yarn, filling yarn and warp yarn material to produce carpets and rugs with various coloured designs
- Operating and monitoring loom on which yarn or twist is intersected and knotted at regular intervals to form mesh
- Operating and monitoring large automatic multi-needle machines to embroider material or to sew lengths of several layers of material to make yard goods, quilts or mattress coverings
- Tending circular knitting machines with automatic pattern controls that knit seamless hose
- Operating and monitoring knitting machines to knit hosiery to shape of foot and leg
- Operating and monitoring machine for knitting heel and toes of socks into ribs or tops cut from circular fabric
- Operating and monitoring machine which seams openings in toes of socks
- Operating and monitoring crochet machine to knit lace, trimming etc. of desired pattern or design
- Examining looms to determine causes of loom stoppage, such as warp filling, harness breaks or mechanical defects
- Repairing or replacing worn or defective needles and other components
- Cleaning, oiling, and lubricating machines, using air hoses, cleaning solutions, rags, oil cans, and/or grease guns
- Indoors
- On your feet most of the day
- Lots of contact with people, mostly with colleagues
- Some freedom to decide
- Usually 40 hours a week
- Deadlines most weeks
- Some repetitive tasks
Will there be jobs?
Limited prospectsFewer jobs than in most work will need filling by 2035.
Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.
What does it pay?
About averagePay depends a lot on the country: from about €1,000 a month (Bulgaria) to €5,500 (Denmark), before tax.
Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.
Among plant and machine operators, and assemblers in the EU, women earn 21% less per hour than men. Plant and machine operators, and assemblers · Eurostat
What do I need to study?
Upper secondary or vocationalUpper secondary or vocational training in textiles (clothes, footwear and leather) is the usual route.
Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.
Will AI change it?
Very littleAI could help with only small parts of the tasks.
Average task score 0.16 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).
See the score for each of the 13 tasks
Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for weaving and knitting machine operators. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).