Game of Wool

Knitting show along the lines of Bake Off, Throw Down, Sewing Bee, the goldsmithery one, the veg growing one, etc.

Each episode had two distinct knits: an individual challenge, and a group effort (but with individuals assessed on their own work). For each half, the contestants were given a brief, and enough yarn and supplies to complete the task - but the design and execution came from their own brains.

Judges Sheila and Di knew what they wanted to see: technical excellence, they were very good at picking apart flaws and dropped stitches and muffed lines. We never felt that they critiqued the efforts from a point of view of whether they met the original brief; perhaps a guest judge, like on the drag queen one, would assist. Many contestants looked exhausted, the challenges were as much about producing a large quantity of knitting rather than allowing them to take time and make technically excellent work.

Game of Wool was enlivened and kept afloat by Tom Daley, the retired diver was sharing what he loved, and brought bagfuls of energy to the show. And he modelled some truly bizarre knitwear, and did it all with a massive smile on his face.

Holger

Went out in the Sunday evening slot that had proven so successful for The Great Pottery Throw Down (but less so for Handmade).

Channel 4 programme page

Weaver's Week review