Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

KNITTIN, n. Also kni(t)tin(g), knitte(e)n, nittin(g), nitten, ¶kniteein. [′(k)nɪtən, -in]

Sc. usages:

1. Tape (Wgt. 1703–25 G. Fraser Lowland Lore (1880) 45; Sc. 1782 J. Sinclair Ob. Sc. Dial. 122; Gall. 1877 “Saxon” Gall. Gossip 271; Per., Fif., Lth., Ayr. 1915–26 Wilson; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; Fif., Wgt. 1960). Formerly freq. in pl. Obs. in Eng. from early 17th c.Sc. 1701 Household Bk. Lady G. Baillie (S.H.S.) 8:
For snuf boxes 3 lib 12s. For pins and knitins 1 lib 10.Edb. 1707 Foulis Acct. Bk. (S.H.S.) 458:
Coloured knittins for rolling about the rights of woodhall . . . 0. 3. 6.Highl. 1721 Sc. Antiquary V. 23:
Item one bolt knillines [sic] one peaper pinns.Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore (S.T.S.) 68:
An auld carle was sitting Among his bags, and loosing ilka knitting, To air his rousty coin.m.Lth. 1812 P. Forbes Poems 44:
A good tea square, some long horse hair, A yard of Baxter's 'nittens.Edb. 1828 D. M. Moir Mansie Wauch vii.:
Long muslin frockies . . . drawn round the waist with narrow nittings.Rxb. 1927 E. C. Smith Braid Haaick 13:
A bowt o' knitteen = a length of tape, folded skeinwise, as sold.

2. Fig. In pl.: details, particulars, items of news (Abd. 1900–60). Cf. Eng. thread-ends.Abd. 1923 Swatches o' Hamespun 16:
Jinse an' me spelled oot the knittins o't atween's tho.Abd. 1931 Abd. Press & Jnl. (5 Feb.):
If a person obtains all the news of a locality, he may be said to have “geddert a' the kniteeins.”