Knitting is the art of creating fabric by interlacing loops of yarn using two or more needles, a process that can be done by hand or machine. The word "knitting" derives from "knot" stemming from the Dutch verb knutten or the Old English cnyttan, meaning "to knot". The basic techniques of knitting involve the knit and purl stitches, which, along with increasing and decreasing stitches, allow for the creation of a wide variety of garments and textiles.