Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| lavoro a maglia | /laˈvo.ro a ˈmaʎ.ʎa/ (word by word) |
| lavorazione a maglia |
The term refers to the activity and process of knitting. To emphasize that you are currently engaged in the act of knitting, you can use the phrase with the verb fare, as in fare il lavoro a maglia.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase lavoro a maglia literally translates to 'work with stitch' or 'work with loops'.
Which one should you use?
Lavoro a maglia is typically used when referring to the hobby itself or the finished product. In contrast, lavorazione a maglia refers more specifically to the technical process or the industrial manufacturing of knitted goods.
How do you pronounce it?
/laˈvo.ro a ˈmaʎ.ʎa/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers might mistakenly use maglia to mean the verb 'to knit', but maglia is a noun meaning 'stitch', 'mesh' or 'jersey'. To express the actual action, you should use the verb lavorare a maglia.
Did you know?
- The word maglia also refers to a jersey or a sweater. This means an Italian speaker uses the same word for the individual stitch and the entire finished garment.
- The word maglia was borrowed into Italian from the Old Occitan word malha. This shows a historical influence from the language of Southern France.
- The term maglia is used to describe the mesh of a fence or a net. It highlights how the concept of a knitted loop extends to any grid-like structure.
Examples in context
- Mary non sa nulla di cucito o lavoro a maglia.Mary knows nothing of sewing or knitting.This sentence is useful for seeing how to mention knitting alongside sewing.Tatoeba #1549831 by Guybrush88, translation #1486598 by Spamster
- Il lavoro a maglia può essere un hobby costoso.Knitting can be an expensive hobby.This sentence shows how to describe knitting as a hobby.Tatoeba #7260695 by Guybrush88, translation #3476652 by Hybrid
- Mi piace fare il lavoro a maglia.I enjoy knitting.
- Lei è un'esperta nel lavorino a maglia.She is an expert in knitting.
- Oggi ho deciso di fare un po' di maglia.Today I decided to do some knitting.
- Il mio lavoro a maglia è quasi finito.My knitting is almost finished.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their hobbies at a cafe.
- FrancescoTi piace il lavoro a maglia?Do you like knitting?
- MartinaSì, lo trovo molto rilassante.Yes, I find it very relaxing.
- FrancescoCosa stai preparando per l'inverno?What are you making for the winter?
- MartinaSto facendo un maglione morbido.I am making a soft sweater.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “knitting” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (lavoro, a, maglia) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, lavorazione, lavoro, maglia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
