Weavers, knitters and other fabric making occupations
Also called: Rug weaver, Lace weaver, Loom weaver, Top knitter, Cloth weaver, Flat knitter, Carpet weaver, Glove knitter, Sample weaver, Blanket weaver, Jersey knitter, Sample knitter
Weavers, knitters and other workers in fabric making occupations operate machines to process yarn or thread into woven, non-woven and knitted products such as cloth, lace, carpets, rope, industrial fabric, hosiery and knitted garments or to quilt and embroider fabric. This unit group also includes workers who perform activities such as reproducing patterns, drawing-in and tying warps and setting up looms. They are employed by textile companies and by garment and mattress manufacturing companies.
Main tasks
- Set up looms or other processing machines
- Read loom patterns and prepare loom pattern mechanisms for processing
- Operate looms to weave yarn or thread into textile fabrics or products
- Operate machines that produce twine, ropes or nets
- Operate batteries of knitting machines to produce knitted fabric, hosiery, garments or other products
- Operate carpet tufting machines, felt making needle-punch machines and other machines to produce textile products
- Operate large automatic multi-needle machines to embroider material or to sew lengths of several layers of material to make yard goods, quilts or mattress coverings
- Patrol machines and check fabrics or products for defects and to verify efficient operation
How to become one
On-the-job training is provided for periods up to several months, depending on the complexity of the product, whether equipment set-up and maintenance is done by the operator, and the number of machines operated. Previous experience as a labourer in the same company may be required for some operators in this group.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $37,557 a year The middle half earn $34,359 to $43,388.
Related jobs
- Textile fibre and yarn, hide and pelt processing machine operators and workers
- Industrial sewing machine operators
- Inspectors and graders, textile, fabric, fur and leather products manufacturing
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Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03