'knitwear' originates from English, specifically a compound of 'knit' and 'wear', where 'knit' ultimately comes from Old English 'cnyttan' (related to knotting/tying) and 'wear' comes from Old English 'werian' meaning 'to wear, carry'.

'knit' developed from Old English 'cnyttan' (and related Germanic roots) meaning to knot or join, while 'wear' comes from Old English 'werian'; the modern compound 'knitwear' arose in Modern English by combining these elements to mean clothing made by knitting.

Initially the elements referred to the actions 'to knit' and 'to wear'; over time the compound came to mean specifically 'garments made by knitting' rather than the separate actions.