The invention discloses a softening method for wood for knitting. The softening method has the characteristics that the softening method is simple, the treatment period is shortened to 12~13 hours, the working efficiency is increased by 11.3%, the production cost is reduced by 12.6%, and the natural color of the wood is not changed. The softening method comprises the following steps: soaking battens in brine, so that not only sterilization but also dehydration at high temperature can be realized, cellular structures are changed, and permeation of a follow-up treating fluid is facilitated; carrying out high-temperature sand bath of the battens, and spacing the battens with wet leaves, so that the battens are dried after being wetted, fiber structures are softened preliminarily, and the permeability is enhanced; rapidly softening the fiber structures with a softener solution of high permeability, so that the obtained wood is soft, resistant to high temperature, free of cracking, and convenient for machining of wood chips and wood veneers with smooth surfaces, a polishing process is simplified, the softened wood can be free of mold and insects after long-term storage, and storage and use are facilitated; and finally, carrying out medium-temperature drying, so that water is slowly evaporated and cannot be regained, energy is saved, and the environment is protected.