If you’re looking to wrap yourself up in a cosy new show, Game of Wool: Britain’s Best Knitter, hosted by Tom Daley, might be just the thing.
The former Olympic diving champion and knitting enthusiast is the face of the Channel 4 show, in which amateur knitters compete to be crowned champion. In each episode, they are challenged to create unique pieces.
On Sunday (2 November), in the first show, they had to stitch a full-size sofa cover and make Daley a tank top, which he then modelled. The host was also on hand with encouraging words and whoops of joy.
The knitting is judged by Di Gilpin and Sheila Greenwell, known for their work with Chanel, Vivienne Westwood, Paul Smith and Nike.
The eight-part series follows in the footsteps of The Great British Bake Off and The Great British Sewing Bee.
The Independent’s Charlotte O’Sullivan praised the judges, saying: “Di is the emotional one. Sheila has the comic timing. Both find a way to let people down gently. Two middle-aged women in charge? How refreshing. But with or without bloodshed and bonking, this is must-see TV. Knit, cry, hug, repeat? Happy sob. Yes, please.”
In The Guardian, meanwhile, Sarah Dempster was impressed by Daley. “He starts skipping around the yarn barn, his poncho flapping like the wings of a pterodactyl, in an amateur production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” she wrote.
Speaking to Metro, Daley said: “Some people might be ready to hate it because they want knitting to be protected, or have a certain idea of knitting. But I think this show is about celebrating all kinds of knitters and celebrating all kinds of styles.”
His aim was to encourage as many people as possible to try the world of knitting and crocheting. “I’d love to be able to take it into a school project, and get more kids involved in knitting.”
Game of Wool: Britain’s Best Knitter airs at 8pm on Sundays on Channel 4. If you missed the first episode, you can catch it on 4Seven on Monday (3 November), starting at 8pm, or on Channel 4 on Saturday from 5.20am.
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