VOA · Ask a Teacher
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01This week on Ask a Teacher, we answer a question from Rohullah in Afghanistan about using the words sew and knit and related terms.
02Dear VOA Learning English, I am sending this email to know what the differences are between sewing and knitting or sew and knit.
03Besides that, I wanted to know what I can call a woman or a man that makes clothes.
04Thank you.
05I'm happy to answer this question, Rohullah.
06An important difference between sewing and knitting is that when we sew, we connect pieces of fabric or cloth that are already made.
07When we knit, we make the cloth itself from strings called yarn.
08Also, the word sewing can describe many ways people connect or repair fabric and clothes.
09For example, people can sew many kinds of clothes, such as socks, shirts, dresses, hats, and gloves.
10People can also sew larger things, such as window coverings or tents.
11A person can sew using a sewing machine or simply by using their hands with a needle and thread.
12Knitting does not generally require use of a machine or a needle and thread.
13To knit, a person uses thicker strings called yarn, along with two thin sticks called knitting needles.
14Yarn is usually made of small natural pieces called fibers, such as wool or cotton.
15While sewing thread is often less than one millimeter thick, knitting yarn is generally two to five millimeters thick.
16Many people who knit make clothing for cold weather, such as wool sweaters, hats, and scarves.
17They may also knit blankets or other things that can be used in the home.
18More than 50 years ago, most Americans who earned money sewing clothes in a factory were women.
19They were called seamstresses.
20Today, we sometimes call any person who sews a sewist.
21Or, we can simply say, a person who sews.
22And, a person whose job is to sew or repair clothes to make them fit well is called a tailor.
23For our readers and listeners, what are your questions about American English?
24Do you like to knit or sew?
25We want to hear from you.
26Send us an email at learningenglish at voanews.com And, please let us know where you are from, too.
27And, that's Ask a Teacher.
28I'm Andrew Smith.
29I'm Andrew Smith.
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