The Spanish word for knit is "tejer"
Tejer is the verb you use when you want to say you are knitting. It comes from the noun tejido, which means fabric or knitted material. If someone asks what you are doing and you are working with needles and yarn, you would say "Estoy tejiendo" (I am knitting). The past tense is "tejí" (I knitted), and if you want to say you knit as a hobby, you would say "Tejo" (I knit).
The word works the same way in all Spanish-speaking countries, so whether you are in Spain, Mexico, Argentina, or anywhere else, tejer is the standard term. It is also used for weaving on a loom, since both crafts involve interlocking yarn or thread in a structured way. This single verb covers the entire range of what English speakers call knitting, from casting on your first stitches to binding off a finished garment.
Key Takeaways
- The verb "tejer" means to knit and is used across all Spanish-speaking regions without variation.
- "Tejiendo" is the present participle form, used when describing an action happening right now or in progress.
- The noun "tejido" refers to knitted or woven fabric itself, not the act of making it.
- Related words like "aguja" (needle) and "lana" (yarn) help you talk about knitting supplies and materials in Spanish.
- Spanish knitting patterns use standard abbreviations like "p.d." for punto derecho and "p.r." for punto revés.
Common knitting words in Spanish
Once you know tejer, you will want to name the tools and materials you use. Aguja is the word for needle — you might hear "agujas de tejer" (knitting needles) or just "agujas" in context. Lana means yarn, and hilo means thread or string more broadly. If you are talking about a specific weight or type, you might say "lana gruesa" (thick yarn) or "lana fina" (thin yarn).
A punto is a stitch, so "punto derecho" is a knit stitch and "punto revés" is a purl stitch. If you drop a stitch, you have "perdido un punto." A finished piece is a tejido or sometimes a prenda if it is a garment like a sweater or scarf. The patrón is your pattern or instructions, and aumentar means to increase stitches while disminuir means to decrease.
How to use "tejer" in conversation
If you want to talk about knitting in the present tense, the form changes depending on who is doing it. "Yo tejo" (I knit), "tú tejes" (you knit), "él o ella teje" (he or she knits), "nosotros tejemos" (we knit), and "ellos tejen" (they knit). In the present progressive — describing something happening right now — you add "estoy" or another form of "estar" before the -iendo form: "Estoy tejiendo un suéter" (I am knitting a sweater).
For past tense, "tejí" (I knitted) and "tejiste" (you knitted) are the straightforward past forms. If you want to say you have been knitting for years, you would use "He estado tejiendo" (I have been knitting). These verb forms follow the same patterns as other regular Spanish verbs ending in -er, so once you learn tejer, you can explore the same endings to similar verbs like "comer" (to eat) or "beber" (to drink).
Regional variations and related terms
While tejer is universal, some regions have informal or colloquial words. In some parts of Latin America, people might say "hacer punto" (make stitches) as a casual way to describe knitting, though this is less formal than tejer. The word tejedor or tejedora refers to a knitter — the person who does the work. You might also hear tejedor de punto to specifically mean someone who knits rather than weaves.
If you are learning Spanish and want to discuss knitting with other crafters, knowing tejer and the basic supply words will get you most of the way there. Online knitting communities in Spanish use these same terms, so you will see them in forums and pattern instructions written in Spanish. Social media groups dedicated to knitting in Spanish-speaking countries use this vocabulary consistently.
Knitting patterns and instructions in Spanish
If you are reading a knitting pattern written in Spanish, you will see abbreviations and instructions using these terms. "Tejer" appears in directions like "tejer 10 puntos" (knit 10 stitches) or "tejer en punto derecho" (knit in garter stitch). Patterns often use shorthand: "p.d." for punto derecho (knit stitch), "p.r." for punto revés (purl stitch), and "ag." for aguja (needle).
Understanding these words makes it easier to follow Spanish-language patterns or to communicate with knitters from Spanish-speaking countries. Many international knitting sites offer patterns in multiple languages, and having this vocabulary helps you navigate them. You will also see instructions like "montar puntos" (cast on), "cerrar puntos" (bind off), and "cambiar de color" (change color) in Spanish patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is "tejer" used for both knitting and weaving?
Yes. Tejer covers both crafts because they both involve interlocking yarn or thread in a structured pattern. If you need to be specific, you might say "tejer con agujas" (knit with needles) or "tejer en un telar" (weave on a loom), but tejer alone works for both.
What is the difference between "tejido" and "tejer"?
Tejer is the verb — the action of knitting. Tejido is the noun — the finished fabric or material. You tejer (knit) to make a tejido (knitted fabric).
How do I say "I knit sweaters" in Spanish?
You would say "Tejo suéteres" or "Tejo suéters." The verb tejo (I knit) comes first, followed by the object. If you want to say you knit them as a hobby, you could add "como pasatiempo" (as a hobby).
What do Spanish speakers call a knitting needle?
Aguja is the general word for needle. In knitting context, "aguja de tejer" makes it clear you mean a knitting needle, not a sewing needle. Knitting needles come in pairs, so you might hear "un par de agujas" (a pair of needles).
Can I find knitting instructions in Spanish online?
Yes. Many knitting websites and YouTube channels offer patterns and tutorials in Spanish. Searching for "patrones de tejido" (knitting patterns) or "tutoriales de tejido" (knitting tutorials) will show you resources from Spain and Latin America where you can practice reading and hearing these terms in context.