Knitting in The Sims 4 starts with the Knitting skill and a knitting station

To knit in The Sims 4, your Sim needs access to a knitting station and must learn the Knitting skill. The knitting station is a purchasable object you place in your home — it costs 350 Simoleons and appears in the Build/Buy catalogue under Activities or Hobbies. Once you have the station, your Sim can interact with it to begin knitting projects, which improves the skill over time and produces finished items like sweaters, scarves, and blankets.

Knitting was added to The Sims 4 in the Eco Lifestyle expansion pack, so you must own that pack to access this feature. Without the expansion, the knitting station and skill will not appear in your game.

Key Takeaways

  • You need the Eco Lifestyle expansion pack to knit; the feature does not exist in the base game.
  • Purchase a knitting station from Build/Buy for 350 Simoleons and place it in your Sim's home.
  • Your Sim learns the Knitting skill by interacting with the station; higher skill levels unlock new patterns and faster completion times.
  • Finished knitted items can be sold for Simoleons or gifted to other Sims to build relationships.

How to buy and place a knitting station

Open Build/Buy mode while in your lot. Search the catalogue for "knitting station" or navigate to Activities > Hobbies. The knitting station costs 350 Simoleons. Click it and place it anywhere in your home — a bedroom, living room, or dedicated craft space all work. The station takes up a small footprint and does not require special utilities or connections.

If you do not have 350 Simoleons, your Sim can earn money through other activities first, or you can use cheats to add funds. Once placed, the station is ready to use when ready.

Starting a knitting project and leveling the skill

Click on the knitting station and select "Knit" from the menu. Your Sim will sit down and begin working. The skill has 10 levels, and your Sim gains experience by spending time at the station. Early projects take longer to complete — a scarf might take several hours of in-game time when your Sim is a beginner. As the Knitting skill increases, projects finish faster and your Sim unlocks new patterns.

Your Sim can knit while other activities happen around them. They will pause if they need to use the bathroom or eat, but otherwise continue working. You can also direct them to stop by clicking the station and selecting "Stop Knitting."

What patterns unlock at each skill level

At Knitting level 1, your Sim can make basic items like scarves and dishcloths. As the skill increases, new patterns become available. By level 5, your Sim unlocks more complex projects. At level 10, the highest level, your Sim can knit rare and valuable items that sell for more Simoleons. The exact items vary, but higher-level patterns always take longer to complete and produce items worth more money.

You can see which patterns are available by clicking the station and reviewing the "Knit" menu. Locked patterns will show as unavailable until your Sim reaches the required skill level.

Selling knitted items and earning money

Once your Sim finishes a knitted item, it appears in their inventory. You can sell it through the inventory menu — click the item, select "Sell," and choose a price. The game suggests a base value, but you can adjust it. Alternatively, click the item and select "Gift" to give it to another Sim, which improves your relationship with them.

Knitted items sell for more money as your Sim's skill increases and as they knit higher-level patterns. A level 10 Sim knitting a rare sweater can earn hundreds of Simoleons per item, making knitting a viable income source if you knit regularly.

Traits and moodlets that affect knitting speed

Certain Sim traits make knitting faster or more enjoyable. A Sim with the Creative trait knits slightly faster than others. A Sim with the Loves Outdoors trait may knit more slowly if indoors, so place your station near a window or outside if possible. Sims in a good mood knit faster than Sims who are sad, angry, or tense.

You can improve your Sim's mood before knitting by having them eat good food, listen to music, or socialize. A Sim in a "Focused" or "Inspired" mood knits noticeably faster, so these moodlets are worth pursuing if you want to speed up skill gains.

Knitting station placement and room requirements

The knitting station works anywhere in your home, but placement affects how quickly your Sim works. A station in a room with high room quality (decorated with paintings, plants, and nice furniture) gives your Sim a small bonus to knitting speed. A station in a dirty, empty room provides no bonus. You do not need to build a dedicated craft room, but a pleasant space encourages faster work.

The station does not require electricity or plumbing. You can place it outdoors, in a basement, or in any room. If you place it outside, weather may affect your Sim's mood and thus their knitting speed — rain and cold temperatures lower mood, while sunny days improve it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my Sim knit without the Eco Lifestyle expansion?

No. Knitting is exclusive to the Eco Lifestyle expansion pack. If you own only the base game or other expansion packs, the knitting station and skill will not appear in your game.

How long does it take to reach level 10 in Knitting?

Time varies based on your Sim's mood, traits, and room quality, but reaching level 10 typically takes several in-game days of regular knitting. A Sim knitting for a few hours each day will level up noticeably within a week of game time.

Can I knit while my Sim is doing other things?

Your Sim must be at the knitting station to knit. They cannot knit while working another job or doing unrelated activities, but they can knit while other Sims in the household do other things.

What is the most valuable item my Sim can knit?

The most valuable items are rare patterns unlocked at high skill levels. Exact values depend on your game version and any active mods, but a level 10 Sim knitting a rare item can earn 500 to 1000 Simoleons per finished project.

Do I need to buy yarn or materials?

No. The knitting station requires no materials or supplies. Your Sim straightforward sits down and knits. The finished item appears in their inventory automatically when the project is complete.