Knitting machine operators set up and work at various machines that process yearn or thread into woven and knitted products. These products include cloth, lace, industrial fabric, hosiery and other knitted fabrics. Knitting machine operators are employed by textile manufacturing companies.
As a knitting machine operator, you operate a hosiery knitter that knits yarn into socks or hosiery or a warp knitter that knits fabrics for outer or undergarments. You may also work at a machine that knits twine into netting or knitting machines that combine yarn and fibre into imitation fur.
You may work at one machine or on several simultaneously. Your task is to set up and adjust each machine to the particular specifications of the job. Generally, you place spools or cones of yarn onto your machine and thread the ends through the guides. You stand at your machine and press buttons or depress levers to control the knitting operation. When the fabric is being knit, you carefully inspect it for holes, breaks discolourations or other defects.
You do not have to be physically strong to work at a knitting machine, but you must be fit and have a reasonable amount of stamina. You are required to stand at your machine for long periods of time. You may also be required to climb up and down on low platforms to operate your machine or to change spools.
The job is not particularly stressful, but a textile plant can be fairly noisy, with many machines operating at the same time. Despite the noise, you must pay close attention to your machine, watching for any defects in the fabric or equipment. You may also be required to inspect your machine and perform simple maintenance on it.
Modern textile plants, like other manufacturing plants, have moved into the computer age. Knitting machine operators can change patterns in the fabric by inputting the information on a computer.
Depending on the textile plant, you may be required to do shift work. You are generally paid an hourly wage. Training for knitting machine operators is usually done in-house, by the employer.
You will do well as a knitting machine operator if you are a quality-minded individual, who takes pride in your job. You are required to be your own quality control person and work your machine with a minimum of supervision.
Although the work may be repetitive, you must have an eye for detail. You must carefully watch the fabric for any flaws or problems.
A basic familiarity with computers can also be an asset. Technological changes in knitting machines have meant that many of their functions are controlled by computer.
What You Need
15 Gervais Drive
Suite 700
Don Mills, Ontario M3C 1Y8
Tel. (416) 441-1806