Meaning & use
handknit
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Meanings
adjectivebefore a noun
Made by knitting with the hands, not by machine.
Grammar: Used before a noun: a handknit sweater.
Patterns
- handknit something
She wore a handknit sweater to the party.
Handknit socks are warmer than machine-made ones.
verbtransitive
To knit something by hand.
Grammar: Takes an object: handknit a scarf. Past tense: handknitted or handknit.
Patterns
- handknit something
She handknit a scarf for her friend.
They handknit all the hats they sell.
Word forms
| third person singular | handknits |
|---|---|
| past tense | handknitted |
| past participle | handknitted |
| -ing form | handknitting |
Common combinations
- handknit sweater
- He bought a handknit sweater at the craft fair.
- handknit socks
- These handknit socks are very comfortable.
- handknit scarf
- She made a handknit scarf for winter.
Synonyms and how they differ
- handmade
- Broader; means made by hand, not necessarily knitted.
Opposites
Word family
- handknitting noun
- The activity or product of knitting by hand.
Commonly confused: handknit or hand-knit?
handknit vs hand-knit
Same meaning, but often hyphenated; 'handknit' is also accepted.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence.
Choose one answer.
The past tense of 'handknit' is usually 'handknitted', so 'She handknitted a sweater' is correct. 'Handknit' as past tense is less standard.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “handknit”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.