Following the popularity of other TV craft shows, Channel 4 has commissioned a new knitting competition show which is due to start soon.

Needles Out

Called the Game of Wool, the format will see 10 talented knitters battle it out in a series of challenges. Items they are expected to create include home accessories, clothing, jewellery and even sculptured items and furniture. No doubt inspired by the increasing popularity of knitting and other shows such as the Great British Bake Off, the show is bound to attract a wide audience and inspire more people to take up the hobby.

Wool is Cool

There are more than 101 million knitting videos on TikTok, or #knittok if you want to look it up.

And Olympic diver Tom Daley has ensured that knitting is no longer the preserve of grannies in rocking chairs, after being photographed doing it at the Paris Olympics. According to Prima, the red, white and blue jumper he has made to celebrate his silver medal has gone viral and they are impressed with his skills.

Hollywood heartthrob Ryan Gosling has also revealed that he likes to knit, but you don’t have to be an A-lister to take up this fun hobby. There is a wealth of helpful videos online and tips on how to start.

You may want to begin with a knitting kit. There are many available online from specialists such as www.woolcouturecompany.com/collections/knitting-kits. From small items such as keyrings and headbands to chunky scarves and jumpers, knitting kits are a great way to have a go, as they come with clear instructions.

Get Creative

As well as being on-trend, knitting is known to have positive health benefits too. From helping to combat stress and anxiety to improving hand-eye coordination, creating handmade objects with wool is a great hobby which can help boost your confidence and connect with others.

With hundreds of thousands of people taking up the hobby during the pandemic and still doing it, it’s clear that this ancient craft, which first started in Egyptian times, is here to stay.