A turning device for tubular knitted items, in particular for sewing or grafting stations for automated closing of tubular items at a first end thereof, said tubular items being preferably manufactured by means of a circular knitting machine for knitted or hosiery items and extending longitudinally between a first end and a second end, both open, the device comprising: - a lower portion and an upper portion, placed below and above an intermediate area, respectively, on which are positioned supporting means for the tubular item to be turned, hanging at the first end thereof, with the second end being free, and arranged basically vertical; - at least one tubular body to be inserted from below to above, with an upper axial end thereof, through said first end of the item hanging from said supporting means after inserting the tubular item through said upper axial end of the tubular body, for turning inside out the tubular knitted item, held by said supporting means, on the outer side surface of said tubular body, progressively taking the tubular item out of said upper axial end of the tubular body, so as to turn the tubular item with respect to the configuration with which it hangs from the supporting means; the device further comprising: - moving mechanisms configured for selectively positioning said lower portion at least between a first operating position, in which said lower portion is vertically aligned with said upper portion, and a second operating position, in which said lower portion is at least partially displaced laterally with respect to said upper portion, and wherein, in said second operating position, said tubular body is supported by said lower portion; - a manipulating mechanism, movable upon command at least between a non-operating position, in which it does not interact with the tubular item, and an operating position, in which it is at least partially placed above said tubular body supported by the lower portion; wherein the switching of the manipulating mechanism from the non-operating position to the operating position takes place by at least partially catching the tubular item picked up by the knitting machine and placed close to said lower portion, wherein the manipulating mechanism, when in said operating position, is configured for manipulating and raising at least partially the tubular item, so as to place the second end of the tubular item on the upper axial end of the tubular body, so as to cause and/or simplify the insertion of the tubular item, starting from the second end thereof, into the tubular body. - a lower portion and an upper portion, placed below and above an intermediate area, respectively, on which are positioned supporting means for the tubular item to be turned, hanging at the first end thereof, with the second end being free, and arranged basically vertical; - at least one tubular body to be inserted from below to above, with an upper axial end thereof, through said first end of the item hanging from said supporting means after inserting the tubular item through said upper axial end of the tubular body, for turning inside out the tubular knitted item, held by said supporting means, on the outer side surface of said tubular body, progressively taking the tubular item out of said upper axial end of the tubular body, so as to turn the tubular item with respect to the configuration with which it hangs from the supporting means; - moving mechanisms configured for selectively positioning said lower portion at least between a first operating position, in which said lower portion is vertically aligned with said upper portion, and a second operating position, in which said lower portion is at least partially displaced laterally with respect to said upper portion, and wherein, in said second operating position, said tubular body is supported by said lower portion; - a manipulating mechanism, movable upon command at least between a non-operating position, in which it does not interact with the tubular item, and an operating position, in which it is at least partially placed above said tubular body supported by the lower portion; wherein the switching of the manipulating mechanism from the non-operating position to the operating position takes place by at least partially catching the tubular item picked up by the knitting machine and placed close to said lower portion, wherein the manipulating mechanism, when in said operating position, is configured for manipulating and raising at least partially the tubular item, so as to place the second end of the tubular item on the upper axial end of the tubular body, so as to cause and/or simplify the insertion of the tubular item, starting from the second end thereof, into the tubular body.