Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Game of Wool Renewed for Second Series

by

Game of Wool, the controversial (among knitters, anyway) knitting competition series set in Scotland and hosted by Olympic knitter Tom Daley, has been renewed for a second series, according to Channel 4. 

The Great British Bake Off style knitting competition challenged eight knitters with team and individual challenges in knitting and crochet, ranging from a super bulky sleeveless pullover to amigurumi food, knit jewelry to children’s play clothes. 

Knitters had a lot to say about the show, finding the challenges silly (who really knits an entire couch cover or a deck chair, least of all over the course of 12 hours?), too short and not really indicative of the knitters’ skills. Only one challenge, to knit a lace panel for a lamp, actually showed the all important knitting skills of being able to read and follow a pattern, and it’s the only time the knitters all made the same thing so they could accurately be judged against each other. 

All the same, viewers in general seemed to like it, with Channel 4 reporting it was among the top 8pm shows among 16-34 year olds last year. 

Daley will return as host of the show, and Di Gilpin and Sheila Greenwell will be back as judges. 

“I was blown away by the response to the first series of Game of Wool,” Daley said in a news release. “Knitting is such a creative and joyful craft and it’s been amazing to see so many people inspired to pick up their needles. I can’t wait for the show to return and to meet a whole new group of brilliant knitters ready to take on the challenge.”

Clemency Green, commissioning editor at Channel 4, said the next series will have “an even stronger focus on knitting” as well as some “exciting new elements in the competition.” Here’s hoping that means fewer crochet challenges and more technical tests. 

Game of Wool will be back in the fall, and if you’re in the UK and want to subject yourself to the rigors of the Yarn Barn, you can apply to be on the show now. Participants must be at least 18 years old, residents of the UK and their “primary income” shouldn’t come from “commercial knitting activities.”

[Photo via Channel 4]

Have you read?

Totoro Knitting Patterns

We’re a big Studio Ghibli household, and while they are sometimes very protective of their copyrights (as evidenced by the number of patterns on Ravelry that were removed from the service when it received a takedown notice back in 2021), there are still a fair number of Totoro knitting patterns (as well as other designs I’m sure we’ll get to someday). Let’s check them out!

Yaya Labs has a cute plush Totoro that looks like it might stand up on its own. The pattern is available on LoveCrafts, and it calls for DK or light worsted weight yarn in four colors. The pattern is considered advanced but it does include a photo tutorial. It stands 10.6 inches or 27 cm tall.

A similar pattern can be found a Shino Craft, which doesn’t have the leaf hat but does include little hands, and the legs aren’t as separate from the body. This one calls for sport weight yarn and is knit flat on two needles. 

All Made Here has a Totoro pouch that is super cute and looks pretty easy to knit. It measures 14 by 18 cm and is rated for advanced beginners. You can get the pattern when you subscribe to updates or follow the designer on Instagram. 

Stitch Totoro on a sweater with the Totorogenseren sweater from Anna-Sofia Vintersol. This free download on Ravelry uses worsted/aran weight yarn in two or three colors. The pattern comes in nine sizes, with a chest measurement ranging from 77 to 149 cm. 

The Forest Spirit Fair Isle Jumper from Kraft with Kindrex features a row of Totoros on the circular yoke, along with other little colorwork designs. The design includes three sizes, with chest measurements ranging from 91 to 101 cm. It calls for 4 ply (that’s fingering/sock weight in other parts of the world). 

Or you can stitch Totoro as part of a project with more Ghibli characters, as on the Magical Anime Knit Sweater (a longtime bucket list item for me) from The Bearded Sewist. This on has a circular yoke and rows of different characters including Totoro, Ponyo, soot sprites, Calcifer and more. The pattern comes in four sizes and is rated intermediate/advanced. It calls for DK weight yarn and you can grab a copy on Ravelry. 

Or try Katharina Kuntz’s Anime Scarf, also on Ravelry. This one is a double knit scarf worked in fingering weight yarn in two colors, with allover designs from Studio Ghibli movies. She started by knitting the movies in chronological order but gave that up after she realized all her favorites would be in the middle and therefore not visible when worn. You can probably rearrange the motifs further somewhat if you want to showcase your favorites.