Game of Wool | Wk 5
...from a crocheter's perspective
So, it’s week 5 - Texture Week with 6 contestants remaining.
Episode ends at 47 minutes.
But now, here’s a recap—
The solo challenge is “serious amigurumi”: each knitter must knit or crochet their favorite meal as hyper-realistic amigurumi food — no kawaii faces, just convincing texture, proportion, and color on a plate. The judges emphasize clever stitch choice, sculptural shaping, and subtle surface details to achieve realism. 12 hours.
Isaac tackles a bacon–egg–cheese on an everything bagel, engineering curved bagel halves with short-row shaping, hidden magnets, and mixed knit-and-crochet fillings.
Ailsa creates a Sunday roast mostly in crochet, adding knitted roast potatoes for smoothness
Holger designs an ambitious seafood ramen with knit broth and noodles plus mixed knit-and-crochet toppings, including prawns, fish cake, seaweed, and an egg, with a secret 3D effect.
Tracy leans fully into crochet with a seafood pasta, using double crochet (US Single) for all components.
Lydia crochets London pie-and-mash plus individual peas over a knitted liquor base.
Simon constructs a full English breakfast, using structured shapes and freeform crochet for bacon, eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms, etc.
Crocheting Amigurumi food is so popular that there are entire websites and videos devoted to it. Here’s one that features patterns for some very fun food options.
After the solo, the knitters move into a team challenge: three pairs must adapt a basic slouchy cardigan pattern using super-chunky yarn and at least three distinct stitch techniques, focusing on clean stitch definition and lots of texture. 10 hours.
Isaac and Tracy design a yellow cardigan with a reverse–stocking-stitch smiley face on the back and bubble-stitch sleeves.
Lydia and Simon knit a green cardi with cabled body, honeycomb-stitch sleeves, and a lace stitch hem.
Ailsa and Holger construct a red cardi sideways in only two pieces, using a whole library of textured stitches (waffle, seer sucker, cables, diamonds, etc.) and joining with Kitchener stitch.
It’s the perfect time of year to whip out a crochet cardigan. The brief gave the contestants a basic pattern that they were to build upon - this free pattern is an excellent starting point for your personal creativity. I breaks the construction down to 5 components for which you can come up with your own textured stitch combinations.
I was once again left with the feeling that the judging was a bit lopsided and inconsistent, and apparently, so was Lydia. I have to admit her facial expressions were chef’s kiss…but I’m just a guest here so...
It would have been nice to see the Big Knitter badge go to someone different, but I don’t necessarily disagree with the selection. As for the individual Cast Off, unfortunately, their departure signaled the end of the “crocheters”. But again, Knitting is in the title.
What were your thoughts about this week’s episode? Do you think the judges got it right? Leave your thoughts in the comments.