Game of Wool | Wk 3
...from a crocheter's perspective
So, it’s week 3. I’ve been reluctant to say much about the show beyond discussing the challenges and how they can be replicated using crochet. I’m a crocheter who has knit, but I don’t consider myself a knitter—and I’m not British—so in some ways, the show may not really be for me. Meanwhile, knitters, British and otherwise, have had a lot to say. After watching this week’s episode, which put particular emphasis on crochet, I have to admit I’m really starting to see where all the ire is coming from. I had considered doing a mid-point podcast about the show, and after this week’s episode I’m certain I will.
But first, a recap—
With 8 contestants left, it’s Holiday Week (Vacation Week here in the US). For the solo challenge, the knitters were asked to make glamorous swimwear using both knit and crochet; for the team challenge, they were tasked with crocheting a deckchair sling.
The knitters—and I have to admit, it feels strange calling them that given how much crochet factored into this week—were able to choose their style of swimwear. However, if they chose trunks, they also had to add an additional accessory: a bag, a belt, or a vest.
The suits would be modeled by British Olympians, and the emphasis was on “glam” and “fitted.” Describing the brief, Tom said, “Crocheters will work in panels, manipulating basic granny squares and/or varying stitch sizes to create shapes that contour the body.” Di said she was looking for something innovative, fun, and light. Sheila was going to be focused on the technical aspects of the design—shaping and fit. The contestants had 12 hours.
Dipti | Crocheted triangular granny squares for her triangle halter neck bikini in black and gold metallic yarn. “Don’t you hate it when you lose the top of your treble (US double)?”
Holger | Used the granny stitch to construct trunks he pared with a mesh top.
Lydia | Knitted a one piece using various stitches.
Ailsa | Joked, “I can’t believe I’m sitting here agonizing over the length of an Olympian’s crotch,” used a combination of both knitting and crochet for her two-piece swim suit.
Simon | Used granny circles to embellish his swimming trunks and matching utility belt. “I don’t crochet, but I feel you can adjust it more quickly.”
Stephanie | Stating, “I’m not a crochet person, that’s not my thing, but I’ve decided to take a gamble,” made a 2-piece bikini.
Tracy | Crocheted granny circles and shaped them for the components of her two piece, she plans to embellish with crocheted flowers. The judges have noticed that she has used differing stitch sizes in order to create shape.
Isaac | “I don’t really have a lot of experience with glamor,” knitted trunks and crocheted a chalk bag as his accessory.
Everyone completed the task with varying degrees of success. Speed knitting and crocheting of swimwear is bound to expose more than just a lack of skill - if you get my meaning. I’ve also begun to notice a pattern in Di’s emotional responses to the various garments. For this segment, I don’t feel the judging was even. Flaws seemed to be noticed and commented on differently—and “glam” is extremely subjective.
Crochet swimwear, for better or for worse, has always been a thing.
Knotty Lace has an excellent selection of free swimsuit patterns as well as tips and tricks regarding yarn types and weights, hook sizes, and other hints to ensure function as well as form. You can check those out here.
The second challenge, with the contestants paired up, was to crochet a deckchair sling. The judges were looking for a striking holiday (vacation) design and solid functionality. The contestants had 8 hours.
For this challenge, they brought in a crochet powerhouse as guest judge: Janie Crow (a.k.a. Jane Crowfoot), known for her intricate designs and CALs. One of her blankets (Persian Tiles) has been appearing on a couch or someone’s lap in each of the preceding GOW episodes.
The judges, sequestered from the contestants, discussed which stitches might work better than others. Janie stated that the best option was the double (US single) crochet. She then demonstrated why the treble (US double) would not be a good option because of its “risky” gaps. When Tom asked about using granny squares in the design, Janie noted that they have their place, but she hoped the contestants would “push it a little bit,” which the other judges agreed with.
The contestants had their choice of three cotton yarns: a thick cord yarn, a fine recycled yarn, and a soft tape yarn.
Lydia and Tracy used the soft tape yarn for the sling and added flower embellishments.
Ailsa and Simon used the thick cord yarn and textured stitches to represent sand, with appliqué seaside motif embellishments.
Stephanie and Dipti used the thick cord yarn and made granny squares with appliqué cocktail embellishments. They seemed surprised by how much stretch their design had. I commend their decision to remove a square to compensate for the length, but I was curious why they didn’t run cording vertically through the sling to reduce stretch and increase structure—a simple, quick fix.
Holger and Isaac used the thin recycled yarn and intarsia colorwork—Tom noted, “this means a total of 6,000 stitches will be needed to complete the whole thing.” After completing the colorwork design, they switched to treble (US double) crochet to finish.
I was surprised by the third- and fourth-place selections. While the design of the third-place chair was superior to that of the fourth-place chair, the third-place chair didn’t actually function as a chair—and the time constraints clearly showed in the final product. I was also a bit disappointed that the two regular judges did most of the critiquing instead of the guest crochet judge. I wish they had stepped back and let her judge the work.
Much to my surprise, and delight, I was able to find a Crochet Deck Chair Cover pattern. Please note, I can’t vouch for its function or design…sit at your own risk.
I agreed with the selection of this week’s Big Knitter. As for the individual Cast Off, there were a few folks who were, in my opinion, hanging on by a thread. I’m not saying the one selected shouldn’t have been—I’m just saying the reasoning felt a bit dubious to me. Again, I’m beginning to understand why knitters, in general, seem to be on the fence about the program.
I am not a reality contest person. I don’t like the contrived drama, I don’t like the audience manipulation through music and editing, and I don’t like the seemingly shifting judging criteria. And while I do plan to watch the whole season, I don’t know that I’m enjoying it as much as they’d like it to be enjoyed — by knitters or crocheters.
What were your thoughts about this week’s episode? Do you think the judges got it right? Leave your thoughts in the comments.