More4 to cast on with new competitive knitting series ‘The Game of Wool’

26 July 2024

Materials and tools needed to make ‘The Game of Wool’
 

- 8x60’ episodes set in the historic Scotland countryside

- 10 crafty creatives

- Two iconic judges & a celebrity host

- Many multiple size needles (UK)

- Plenty of wool!

 

‘The Game Of Wool’ pattern instructions

Knitting needles at the ready, as Channel 4 commissions brand-new crafty competition series The Game of Wool for More 4. 

With over 101 million viral ‘knitting’ videos on TikTok and global stars such as Tom Daley, Lorde, Ryan Gosling and Nicholas Hoult all mastering the skill of yarning over, it’s safe to say that wool has once again become ‘cool’. 

This 8x60’ series, produced by Glasgow based Hello Halo (part of STV Studios), sees 10 ambitious creatives take on a series of complex challenges where they have the chance to win a money-can’t-buy prize and be the UK’s first TV knitting champion. Banijay Entertainment will represent the format and finished tape sales internationally.

Set against the picturesque countryside of rural Scotland, which is steeped in knitting and wool heritage, each episode sees the knitters tackle two challenges: ‘The Big Knit’ where they’ll be working together in teams on an extremely complex project, as well as ‘The Wee Knit’ where they’ll take on individual briefs that will really test their capabilities, skill level and whether they can tell a Fair Aisle from Intarsia. 

Each week, the competitors must create a whole host of unique makes and larger than life sculptural pieces – all made from wool. These include clothing, jewellery, home accessories, furniture, sculptures and they may even try their hands at ‘yarn bombing’. 

But the knitters should be truly stitching themselves, as they’ll be under the watchful eye of two established and respected creatives from the world of wool – Di Gilpin and Sheila Greenwell. Known for their work knitting for fashion juggernauts such as Chanel, Vivienne Westwood, Paul Smith and NIKE, Di and Sheila will be sure to put the knitters through their paces. Di will be judging their creative approaches, whilst Sheila will be inspecting their technique. 

But our formidable pair of experts won’t be alone, each week they’ll be joined be a celebrity guest judge who’ll help them decide who goes through and who’ll be ‘cast off’ home.

At the end of the competition, only one will win the glory of being the first winner of The Game of Wool. 

Senior Commissioning Editor, Clemency Green said: “I am thrilled to be commissioning this compelling format for More4 and I’m looking forward to seeing the incredible creations our knitters come up with. My main hope is that The Game of Wool encourages people, young and older, to pick up the needles and experience the joy which knitting and creating can bring.”

Head of Lifestyle at Channel 4, Jo Street said: “I’m delighted to commission Hello Halo to produce The Game of Wool for More 4. As a Glasgow-based production company, they’re producing a show deeply rooted in the Scottish countryside and its historical impact, so Hello Halo could not be the more perfect indie to be working on this with. I truly hope the fact that knitting is so on trend for the ‘knit-tok’ generation means our show will find enthusiastic audiences in both the crafting community and beyond, bringing this wholesome pursuit to the mainstream who will be able to watch and stream the series on Channel 4.”

Wendy Rattray, Executive Producer said: “This is knitting but not as you know it. Expect a rainbow coloured extravaganza set in the Scottish countryside where brilliant knitters, young and old, will produce the most unexpected and jaw dropping knits: homewares; jewellery; sculptures; shoes; furniture… and much more. Wool is officially cool and we’re delighted to showcase the best of the best in this exciting new format.”

Helen Greatorex, Head of Format Acquisitions, Banijay Entertainment and Simon Cox, EVP Content & Acquisitions, Banijay Rights, said in a joint statement: “Game of Wool seamlessly complements our existing line-up of factual entertainment formats, fitting into multiple slots. Producers across Banijay Entertainment are excited to pitch this charming format locally, and we expect significant opportunities for the UK version, set against the beautiful Scottish countryside. We’ve no doubt this show will enchant knitting enthusiasts and inspire competition format fans with this timeless craft.”

Game Of Wool was commissioned by Senior Commissioning Editor Clemency Green with Head of Lifestyle Jo Street. Executive producers for Hello Halo are Wendy Rattray and Joff Wilson with Kaia Kryda as Development Producer. 

- Pattern Ends