A television competition centered entirely on knitting sounds like a dream for many fiber enthusiasts. After years of baking, sewing, and pottery shows, a series dedicated to knitters should feel exciting, inspiring, and long overdue.
But according to Norman from NimbleNeedles, Game of Wool: Britain’s Best Knitter has so far struggled to represent the craft in a way that feels accurate or satisfying.
After watching the first three episodes, Norman raises concerns about everything from unrealistic time limits and confusing judging to technical inaccuracies, unusual challenge choices, and the limited amount of finished knitting actually shown on screen.
At the same time, his criticism is not simply an attack on the series. He repeatedly makes it clear that he wants a knitting show like this to succeed.
The Biggest Problem: Unrealistic Time Limits
One of Norman’s strongest criticisms is the amount of time contestants are given to complete major projects.
In the first episode, they are asked to knit a tank top in 12 hours. Episode two includes a dog outfit, while episode three asks contestants to create swimwear—again within 12 hours.
For Norman, this has little to do with identifying Britain’s best knitter.
He considers himself a fast knitter, yet says he would struggle to complete something respectable within that amount of time.
Why Speed Does Not Equal Knitting Skill
Norman argues that knitting speed is influenced by factors such as age and dexterity and is not necessarily connected to knowledge or technical ability.
This makes knitting fundamentally different from competitions involving tools such as sewing machines or ovens, where much of the actual speed is determined by equipment.
He suggests that if the producers really wanted to test speed, shorter challenges would make more sense. Contestants could knit a particular repeat, row, or round and be judged on how quickly and accurately they complete it.
The larger garments, meanwhile, could be given more time.
Another major issue is the apparent lack of time for swatching and blocking.
Norman compares this to baking a cake without using a scale or allowing it to cool. For him, those steps are fundamental parts of creating a polished knitted garment.
The Finished Knitting Gets Too Little Screen Time
Another major frustration is how little viewers actually see of the contestants’ finished work.
Norman points out that the show often spends more time presenting design concepts with unusual AI-style artwork than displaying the completed garments.
Even when the finished objects are shown, they are frequently cropped, zoomed in, or visible for only a few seconds.
The Contestants’ Own Knitwear Is More Inspiring
Ironically, Norman says some of the most impressive knitting on the show is what the contestants are already wearing.
He repeatedly notes that many participants clearly have strong knitting skills and arrive wearing beautiful garments, shawls, and other handmade pieces.
That distinction matters.
His criticism is not aimed primarily at the contestants. Instead, he believes the combination of chunky yarn, very limited time, and unusual challenges makes polished results difficult to achieve.
Technical Explanations Raise Questions
Norman is also concerned about some of the knitting explanations and critiques given during the show.
During the Fair Isle episode, for example, he notes that the program regularly refers to stranded knitting as Fair Isle knitting.
He says he is not especially interested in arguing over language because terminology can evolve. However, he believes the episode could have done more to explain or show traditional Fair Isle knitting.
The Fair Isle Challenge
Contestant Gordon uses long double-pointed needles and steeks the armholes, both techniques Norman associates with traditional Fair Isle knitting.
Yet Gordon is eliminated after failing to finish his tank top.
Norman acknowledges that not finishing is a legitimate reason for elimination. However, he questions the judges’ claim that steeking was especially risky with the chunky yarn being used.
He also finds it strange that designs using techniques such as ladderback jacquard and duplicate stitch receive praise during a challenge supposedly focused on Fair Isle knitting.
Questionable Knitting and Crochet Claims
Norman highlights several other statements that he believes were technically inaccurate.
In one episode, a contestant’s twisted stitches are discussed. Norman agrees that twisting stitches can be a common beginner mistake, but objects to the explanation that twisted stitches use less yarn.
He argues that the amount of yarn in the loop is already established before the stitch is twisted.
In another episode, the judges claim that double crochet is stretchier than single crochet. Norman disputes that as well, while acknowledging that double crochet is structurally less firm.
He also questions describing moss stitch as particularly difficult.
Why This Matters
Norman’s concern is not necessarily that every elimination was wrong.
In fact, he says the contestants who left often appeared to have produced the weakest results based on what viewers could see.
The issue is how the critiques are explained.
If the judging is supposed to establish authority and teach viewers something about knitting, then inaccurate or confusing technical statements can undermine confidence in the show.
Crochet Is Included, But the Presentation Feels Confused
Norman actually likes the fact that crochet appears in the series.
He says the divide between knitting and crochet is often unnecessary and welcomes the inclusion of both crafts.
However, he questions whether the show remains consistent with its stated purpose of finding “Britain’s best knitter.”
During the swimwear episode, many contestants crochet significant parts of their designs, and one contestant even describes herself as more of a crocheter and a beginner knitter.
At the same time, the presenter continues referring to everyone as knitters even while they are crocheting.
Crochet Deserves More Depth
Norman also feels crochet is presented too narrowly.
The repeated focus on granny squares, in his view, does not reflect the full scope of a craft with a long history.
He is equally puzzled by the limited role of the guest crochet judge, who appears briefly and does not seem to contribute much to the final decision.
The Group Challenges Feel Unnatural
Every episode so far has included a group challenge.
Norman questions whether knitting is particularly suited to this format.
Different knitters naturally have different tension, which can make combining sections of fabric difficult. If several people work on one project, seams or other methods of joining pieces become almost unavoidable.
Yet contestants are sometimes criticized for exactly those compromises.
Better Alternatives
Norman believes a technical challenge could work much better.
He suggests tasks such as knitting an unusual sock heel, adding a pocket to a garment, or creating edge stitches for a shawl within a limited period.
These challenges could test technique and adaptability while still producing the failures, surprises, and pressure that television competitions rely on.
They would also leave more time for contestants to complete their main garments properly.
Some Challenges Do Not Represent Everyday Knitting
Norman is especially critical of projects such as couch covers, deck chairs, and swimwear.
In his decades of knitting, he says he has never knitted a deck chair, couch cover, or swimsuit.
That does not mean contestants should never be pushed outside their comfort zones. His point is that the challenges feel extremely far removed from the kinds of objects knitters commonly make.
He mentions baby clothes, hats, pillows, socks, sweaters, and similar projects as examples that could still challenge contestants while remaining recognizable applications of knitting.
The Show Still Has Potential
Despite the long list of criticisms, Norman does not want Game of Wool to fail.
Quite the opposite.
He encourages people to watch and support the series because finally having a television show dedicated to knitting is significant.
What Norman Would Like to See Next
If the program receives another season, Norman hopes the producers will involve an experienced knitter during planning and editing.
He also suggests that judges could create sample versions of the challenges beforehand.
Those samples could show contestants what is expected while also allowing the production team to test whether the challenge, materials, timing, and modeling actually work.
Most of all, he wants future episodes to spend more time celebrating what the contestants create.
Conclusion
Norman from NimbleNeedles sees enormous potential in Game of Wool: Britain’s Best Knitter, but he believes the first episodes fall short of representing knitting accurately and effectively.
His concerns include unrealistic 12-hour garment challenges, inconsistent technical explanations, awkward group tasks, confusing treatment of crochet, unusual project choices, and editing that rarely gives viewers a satisfying look at the completed work.
Yet his overall message is surprisingly hopeful.
A knitting competition could showcase extraordinary craftsmanship, introduce non-knitters to the hobby, inspire experienced knitters, and celebrate the creativity of its contestants.
For Norman, the disappointment comes precisely because the idea is so promising.
Rather than watching a show dominated by rushed projects and confusing critiques, he would prefer to spend his time admiring beautiful knitted garments, discussing design decisions, and seeing exactly what talented knitters can achieve.