DON's Yarn Barn and Creative Crafts Emporium

[dreamyjane]

As a person who does not live in the UK, sadly I am unable to stream the new show "Game of Wool". I was able to view some commentary on YouTube. But the following post popped up on my feed tonight.

While I am inclined to be in agreement with this post, it also made me laugh so hard I cried. The fucking earnestness of it all. Seriously, if I was a Shetland born knitter, I probably would have written this myself.

Edit: it does make me sad they didn't use the show as an opportunity to teach about and demystify the classic knitting technique known as a "steek".

~~~~~~~

The Game of Wool @thegameofwool was a hotly anticipated show, in Shetland and through the world. Unfortunately, the knitters of Shetland were shocked and saddened by the way Fair Isle knitting, a living heritage craft native to the United Kingdom, was depicted in episode one of the show.
Despite Gordon successfully cutting his knitting (or steeking, as it is called elsewhere), the method was vilified as the reason why he was ejected. Gordon @manknitted has spoken out on this matter, explaining that the reasons why he was unable to finish his tank top were because he needed to take his work back, had incorporated additional features, and was working with imperfectly modified needles.
Rather than using the other contestants’ and hosts’ fear of Gordon cutting his knitting as a moment to teach viewers that cutting your knitting properly, as Gordon did, is a safe technique—something we all witnessed—and instead building drama around his actual difficulties, the show leaned into the misunderstandings about cutting your knitting, perpetuating negative misconceptions about Fair Isle knitting techniques. This is especially disheartening from a UK-based show meant to encourage more people to take up knitting.
There were additional issues. The most glaring was referring to the small patterns of Fair Isle as ‘peeries’. Peerie is a descriptive word. Small patterns in Fair Isle are referred to as ‘peerie patterns’. Many of the designs accepted as Fair Isle in the episode are more accurately described as stranded colourwork. The over application of the term Fair Isle to refer to any colourwork not only muddies the boundaries of this living heritage craft, but it erases the other forms of colourwork knitting in the world, which deserve to be named.
There are other troubling issues being raised about the show that we will allow others to speak to directly. Shetland knitters are busy, yet again, taking on the cultural and emotional labour related to seeing their heritage misrepresented to the wider public. Many have been speaking out, and more are planning to comment in the coming days. We’ll be sharing their posts, hoping the show will acknowledge and correct their errors.

I knew about this knitting contest show starting in the UK, and also I don't access have to the show but this is quite disappointing! Authentic traditions of knitting should be in the media in a proper way, more educational. You see actresses trying knitting or crochetting in TV series and some are doing it well but some are just pretending and real knitters know

Kristen Belle is a real knitter though. Recently updated her Instagram post of her knitting and doing exercises in between TV shoots.

 

[ericalauren]

I received some new yarn today! It’s Paintbox Cotton DK yarn from LoveCrafts. I use this yarn to crochet bandannas for people and pets!

 

[EvaLane]

As a person who does not live in the UK, sadly I am unable to stream the new show "Game of Wool".

I don't access have to the show but this is quite disappointing!

I was able to catch two episodes! I’m in Canada so I’m not sure if it’ll work for everyone.

Link for episode 1
Link for episode 2
Link for episode 3
Link for episode 4

I have thoughts but mostly I’m enjoying the show! It’s driven me back to watching Project Runway to tide me over between new episodes

 

[EvaLane]

Trouble and make it double

If anyone remembers this blue attempt back in August that was riddled with mistakes, gently referenced wth red stitch markers

I opted for swapping out the yarn for the original intended Mominoki 75% Wolle (Merino/Superwash)/25% Polyamide yarn labeled Silver that is really lovely to work with. I was experiencing a lot of fraying and frustration trying to preform the M1L/R purlwise with the blue yarn and I’m hoping this will help smooth out that process.

I’m going slower and writing notes, 5 rows at a time. I’ll put a lifeline in each once we get to a solid knit row in about 10 rows, so until then I just need to take it slow.

These socks will be finished in time to gift for the holidays.

The lucky recipient will be me.

 

[cascadiabound]

I was able to catch two episodes! I’m in Canada so I’m not sure if it’ll work for everyone.

Link for episode 1
Link for episode 2

I have thoughts but mostly I’m enjoying the show! It’s driven me back to watching Project Runway to tide me over between new episodes

Thanks for the links!
I think it would be quite challenging to work with such chunky yarn if you hadn't done that before. I thought it was interesting in episode 2 one of the challenges required crochet elements.

If you could post future show links that would be very kind!

 

[EvaLane]

I was able to catch two episodes! I’m in Canada so I’m not sure if it’ll work for everyone.

Link for episode 1
Link for episode 2
Link for episode 3

I have thoughts but mostly I’m enjoying the show! It’s driven me back to watching Project Runway to tide me over between new episodes

Here is episode 3! I’ll add the links to the original post I made but also make a new reply so y’all can be updated

 

[cascadiabound]

Here is episode 3! I’ll add the links to the original post I made but also make a new reply so y’all can be updated

Thank you Eva!

 

[EvaLane]

Link for episode 1
Link for episode 2
Link for episode 3
Link for episode 4

Episode 4 is out but it seems to be 2 hours? I’m starting my watch now

Edit - ok so the second hour would not be more knitting content lol

 

[allthetimeitsthere]

Happy Thanksgiving Everybody!!!!....Gobble...Gobble!... Enjoy the day...

 

[ericalauren]

Hello, fellow crafty folks! What are we working on today? I'm currently crocheting a granny square lap blanket with Caron Big Cakes in colorway Boysenberry.

 

[dreamyjane]

Finishing a big shawl with brioche stitches. 450 sts in total!

 

[EvaLane]

Finishing a big shawl with brioche stitches. 450 sts in total!

Seriously though, I can’t wait to see!!! My aunt knits incredibly intricate, beautiful shawls. I need inspiration for when my sock-obsession ends eventually

 

[dreamyjane]

Seriously though, I can’t wait to see!!! My aunt knits incredibly intricate, beautiful shawls. I need inspiration for when my sock-obsession ends eventually

Not sure if you know this sock designer called @Stoneknits. She has a new book with very cute sock patterns and I am tempted to get the book although I am not much of a sock knitter. She has transparent rain boots so she can show off her beautiful sock patterns! I especially liked the lipstick one

 

[MrPimms]

I there a stitch that makes you scream?

I’m trying to do HDC for a project. Had no difficulties up until the most recent rows. Can’t decide if it’s tension pulling the loopy middle ‘loop’ tight … or it’s just me.

Will update in a bit when I either work it out or adapt the pattern