This week saw the premier of The Game of Wool: Britain’s Best Knitter on BBC 4. As a part of Last Week in Crochet, I will be providing a fun and informative take on the proceedings, from a crocheter’s perspective. Each week I will take a look at the challenges and share (when possible) suggestions for crocheters who might like to join in on the fun.
The contests follow in the vein of other British competition shows (think Bake Off, The Great British Sewing Bee, & The Great Pottery Throw Down). This one is hosted by former Olympic swimmer Tom Daley (knit and crochet enthusiast) and judged by British knitting greats or “boss stitchers” as Tom refers to them, who are known for their work with Chanel, Vivienne Westwood, Paul Smith and Nike, Di Gilpin and Shelia Greenwell. The eight-part series has ten knitters - a few of which are obvious crocheters - who will go head-to-head and work together in teams in weekly challenges, trying to avoid being “cast off” to be crowned Britain’s Best Knitter.
The 10 contestants range in skill and experience.
Holger
Channel 4 / James Simpson
A 55-year old fashion designer from London, Holger says he likes traditional knitting methods and styles. He can sew, knit, crochet, needlepoint, cross stitch and quilt, so what is it he loves about knitting? “Knitting usually results in something wearable, so you are making your hobby not just part of who you are but also part of how you present yourself to the outside... Mainly though, it is just a perfect way to wind down and reflect while keeping your hands busy.”
Gordon
Channel 4 / James Simpson
A 47-year-old cruise ship singer from East Ayrshire, Gordon says the knitting style which appeals to him most has revolved around the Shetland traditions: “especially Fair Isle and lace knitting. I love the art and the intricacy of these styles.”
Lydia
Channel 4 / James Simpson
A 32-year-old charity partnerships director from Hertfordshire, Lydia describes herself as “an aggressive blocker” and confesses to holding her knitting needles “in a very funny way”. She says: “I’m too scared to learn another way of knitting as my tension is perfect with my weird way of knitting.”
Dipti
Channel 4 / James Simpson
A 42-year-old library worker from Nottingham, Dipti descibes her unique style of knitting as “watching telly and having my me time”! As well as being a knitter she is a singer and a former chemist. She loves the problem-solving aspect of knitting: “You can be absolutely despising a project and not able to work it out, and then you have that light bulb moment where suddenly everything clicks.”
Tracy
Channel 4 / James Simpson
A 63-year old psychotherapist from London, Tracy says knitting makes her feel “Sometimes really angry [she laughs] but it relaxes me, and I love to knit... I have ADHD and knitting makes me feel like I’m everybody else. I use my hands to knit so it helps me to meditate and keeps me calm.
Ailsa
Channel 4 / James Simpson
A 30-year-old assistant at a ferry company, from North Ayrshire, Alisa says she likes creating vintage styles: “Some of them are so wacky. I like doing older style designs but with modern textures and bright colours.” She says knitting is an escape. “It’s where I get peace and time to recharge. I’m not a massive social butterfly, so this recharges me. I can also be creative with it. At the beginning you just do what you are told, but as you learn, you can put your own spin on things which gives you confidence.”
Meadow
Channel 4 / James Simpson
An 18-year-old fashion student from Belfast, Meadow says she loves to make super chunky cardigans. “They have their own unique patterns which are unique to me. I have features which I keep across all of my stuff.”
Isaac
Channel 4 / James Simpson
A 23-year-old cybersecurity student from Milton Keynes, Isaac is a fan of
colour work. He says that what he loves about knitting is “being able to look at something I think is cool and being able to do it myself.”
Simon
Channel 4 / James Simpson
A 42-year-old builder and ex-Royal Marine from Kent, Simon says he loves colour work, cable knit and the creativity of knitting. “I quite enjoy the whole start to finish process. Some people hate casting on and weaving in, but I like it. It’s the finality of a project.”
Stephanie
Channel 4 / James Simpson
A 65-year-old life coach from Derby, Stephanie says she will turn her hand to anything, including dress making and sewing but she knits cardigans and jumpers. Stephanie says she loves that when she’s knitting she can “take my brain out”.
Filmed in Glasgow, Scotland, for the first episode, the knitters must re-invent the classic Fair Isle design in a tank top (think vest) and use peeries (small, repeating patterns) and motifs (larger, more distinct design elements) to tell their personal story, after which, they were split into two teams to knit sofa covers (peering closely at the finished sofas, you can see clear crochet elements on one).
The knitters had to work with chunky yarns and large needles - which Holger particularly hated. After judging both challenges, Ailsa received the Big Knitter of the week badge while Gordon, who decided to steek his Fair Isle creation (working the piece in the round and then cutting openings in the knitted fabric for arm holes, etc), was cast off.
If you are a crocheter who would like to attempt the challenges - for the Fair Isle (they had 12 hours), crochet can beautifully duplicate the look using one of these color work methods: intarsia, brioche, or mosaic crochet. If you would like inspiration on designs and how to get started, I recommend checking out CrochetbyJessie.
My suggestion for covering the sofa (they had 10 hours) - crochet a blanket and tuck it around.
For this having been the first British competition show I’ve ever seen, I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it and am looking forward to the rest of the season.
(contestant images and bios source: prima.co.uk)