Review: Game of Wool - Britain's Best Knitter + Show Episodes

I've had the opportunity to watch two episodes of Game of Wool hosted by Tom Daley and his two 'stitch bosses', Di Gilpin and Shelia Greenwell, as he named them.

I will add my perspective below, but if you have comments on this, I would love to see them in the comments below. Join the conversation.

What Does A Reality Show Look Like for Yarn Arts?

I've always wondered what a crochet or knit reality show would look like. Daniel and I have talked for the past 10 years about possibly doing this. Still, of course, we are not connected with anyone in production to make it happen, nor does my ambition to be a TV Host or be on a TV Show really pique my interest enough to want to apply or get an agent to do so.

My ideal reality show would be boring for non-yarn users, but I had this idea to travel to people's houses to review their yarn collection:

• Understand their backstory.

• If they are hoarding yarn or holding onto things, declutter and refresh.

• Figure out a way to help them organize.

• Offer counselling if needed.

My stopping point is that I wouldn't want to pursue it, as it would inadvertently ruin someone's joy in being creative. Lawd knows, my desk and office can turn into a whirlwind mess in no time. To ruin someone's joy would not make me happy. Embarrassing moments of side-eyes or other things I tend to do can be edited poorly and take the fun out of it.

Knowing that I would not be a suitable host for such things. I don't mind other people, like Tom, stepping forward to assume the role.

Game of Wool: Episode 1

I've had the opportunity to meet Tom at a quick meet-and-greet. Of course, in a quick encounter, the interaction is so fast and really, what can you say to each other in such a short period of time.

It's one of the reasons I don't enjoy the store meet & greets: they feel too rushed, and not everything can be said in a few minutes when you feel pressured. It's one of the major reasons I prefer a retreat atmosphere as you can get to know people and build a connection over a cup of tea, stitching out or having a mutal shared experience to build a new memory.

I knew who Tom was from the Olympics, but I haven't followed Tom in anything. Funny enough, I didn't think he had an accent, as I don't ever recall hearing him. I know, I don't know how I function some days. I figured if I ever met an Olympian, now is the time. We didn't take the Olympics. It was a rushed experience. He complimented my jacket, and I asked him what was up with not weaving in the ends. It was a fun encounter and one of the books.

In the yarn conversation, though, he lights right up and is quite encouraging. I didn't ask him if he recognized me, as that is really begging for attention, and by now, at my age, I'm the old guy in the room. I've always said, in the yarn world, there is always room for others.

In short, he's the right host for this. I'd have trouble with staying on script and definitely side-eying things without a word. Mmmm Hmmm. He's had some one-liners that made me laugh out loud—reflecting his own struggles with diving and applying it to the arts. Encourage, share and have fun with it. It's perfection. He makes me proud to be a crocheter and loves yarn as much as I do.

I was crocheting while watching Episode One. I nearly tied myself in knots when I learned what the first challenge was. I would have quit, right then, right there. I literally said to Daniel, "My gawd, I'd be so done".

I'm unsure whether some of the contestants would realize the time constraints and the amount of stitchwork required. I can sit and crochet for umpteen hours, but doing a straight shot of ten to twelve hours, there has to be a pot of tea on and good bathroom breaks in between to stretch.

Game of Wool: Episode 2

Daniel said it best: it's really not Britain's Best Knitter, as listening to the backstories of the contestants, some of their skills are really in question.

I wouldn't be qualified to be on this show if there were knitting involved. Episodes one and two are doing things I have never done. Even in crochet, I still have a lot to learn. I would be the Alan Carr of the filming and grab me a martini, and let's chat.

Aside from the timing being really tough, the constraints the judges are facing must be complex. They want to see perfection, but with the limitations, it isn't easy to see true winners of their skill, with the need to rush through creativity. One judge is technical, the other is more creative. The technical judge would scare the hell out of me.

My main worry is that the judging ruins the creativity of the up-and-coming generation. Seeing people fail because of a lack of time feels wrong to me, but maybe I am being too cynical.

Game of Wool: Episode 3

My only concern about this show is the time constraints; it seems too short. I am sure the rushing may be taking away from the joy. Primarily, when getting judged, you cannot finish on time.

People online are judging the show's format and technical approaches. For myself, I don't know knitting well enough to question facts. Clo Knits has some valid points below but when I watched it, I didn't want to think too hard about it as I was crocheting a fair isle crochet cowl.

I was making my Crochet Fair Isle Cowl while watching.

5 Benefits of the Show Than To Complain About It

• It does give attention to the yarn arts in a more mainstream media presence. It makes people question the hobby and how to get involved—an easy lead-in to begin curiousity.

• Attention to yarns that we may not see locally at our yarn shops. I haven't seen Rowan or Wool & The Gang yarn in my region. It may be here, but I haven't seen it.

• The joy the contestants have, with giggling and storytelling on the sofa, reflects a great social environment. Yes, they are competing, but they aren't throwing knives, but little fun jabs of humour. There's cohesion.

• It's showing creativity is limited only by imagination—crochet or knit what you want. I'm a home decor and casual winter wear type of crocheter.

• The colour mixing the contestants are doing isn't something I would put together, but I am liking what I am seeing and having a fresh perspective on colouring.

Game of Wool: Episode 4

But as I mentioned near the beginning, the reality show is about competition and nearly impossible timelines, yet for every day a filming crew is on hand, it costs money. It would have been better to spread the challenges over two full days, so the contestants could showcase why they were chosen for the show. But it's easy for me to be a keyboard warrior right here and right now.

I am drawing inspiration from the show, learning more about knitting, and watching the colour play unfold. I'm going to watch the entire season and draw ideas. For that alone, it's a fun watch. Of course, when I hear the challenges, I can yell at the TV while still sitting and crocheting, watching the drama unfold.

Game of Wool: Episode 5

Game of Wool: Episode 6

More Episodes to Come