Following in the footsteps of fan favourite The Great British Sewing Bee and the now-iconic The Great British Bake Off, Channel 4’s latest hobby-based competition show sees its crafters pick up their needles and yarn in Game of Wool.
Launched in early November 2025, the eight-episode series welcomes ten amateur knitters, each competing to earn the title of “Britain’s Best Knitter” and win a pair of golden needles.
Olympic diver and knitting enthusiast Tom Daley hosts, wearing a collection of knitted and crocheted outfits throughout that are worthy of their own show. Daley makes a gentle host and carries much of the show, but he doesn’t yet feel as natural on-screen as he does on the diving board. He is joined by renowned knitwear designers and creative partners Di Gilpin—whose hair accessories are also breathtaking—and Sheila Greenwood, who judge the contestants’ creations each week.
Similar to Bake Off’s famous tent, Game of Wool is filmed in The Yarn Barn in Ayrshire, near Glasgow. The idyllic Scottish countryside, with picturesque blue skies, luscious green fields, and plenty of sheep, makes for a beautiful setting and is very fitting considering Scotland’s rich wool heritage.
In each episode, contestants are given a solo and group challenge to fit that week’s topic—both of which are completed in set time frames. At the end of the week the winning crafter is rewarded with a “Sheep Badge” made of yarn, which previous winners wear with pride for the rest of the series, and the least successful contestant is eliminated.
Knitting may have its stereotypes, but Game of Wool makes sure to put those to bed from the very start. The youngest contestant Meadow is just 18, and 42-year-old knitter Simon is an ex-Royal Marine who served in Afghanistan. It’s clear the show is working to promote the craft to newer audiences and avid knitters alike, while remaining true and respectful to its history.
Every episode follows a weekly theme, some covering more traditional themes, such as holidays or children, and others having more abstract focuses—for example, texture week and rags to riches which centred around sustainability. Seeing how these amateur crafters each interpret the challenges’ criteria makes for an intriguing watch, and there are plenty of breathtaking creations that come to fruition throughout the series.
Some of the most memorable makes include an icons-inspired intarsia dog outfit, a rework of a charity shop Aran jumper to make a catwalk-ready dress, and a seafood ramen amiguri—and these were just made by the show’s overall winner.
Respect for the art of knitting and crocheting and their history is evident from the opening credits: the first-ever Game of Wool challenge asks contestants to knit a traditional Fair Isle vest, and the final group challenge is to create a postbox topper—known as yarn bombing—depicting the Game of Wool world. It’s not uncommon to see judge Di tear up at some creations due to her admiration for them and the craft itself.
Overall, Game of Wool makes for a charming, warming watch, with knitters—or crocheters, as that’s welcome too—all sitting around an enormous U-shaped modular sofa, needles clacking away and a steaming cup of tea within reach. It is a soothing, almost therapeutic environment that is viscerally felt through the screen. Despite the competitive format, there is clearly a sense of community and connection.
The show may be easy, cosy television but it does have its downfalls. At the time of writing, it hasn’t yet been officially renewed for a second season and it’s worth considering how another series would look. Will it have returning favourite themes, a la Bake Off, or will it find new ways for contestants to showcase their skills?
Longevity of the series may be a concern, but there are also fundamental flaws with the format of the show itself too. Time-based challenges for a handmade craft such as knitting are particularly difficult, especially when contestants are taking on new techniques. We see some competitors struggle with the deadlines in the series, often not fully completing their pieces. In fact, ahead of the postbox topper challenge Daley himself explains that the knitters are attempting to complete something in 12 hours that can typically take months. This may work for the production of a competition show, but it doesn’t necessarily present the best final creations.
Many viewers feel the same, with one Reddit user on the r/knitting thread commenting: “Knitting doesn’t lend itself to a show that tries to do a time pressure like this.”
Game of Wool might not be able to showcase the full technical skills needed in the knitting world due to time restraints but it is certainly perfect autumn/winter viewing, especially for those wanting to pick up a new hobby in 2026. It’s edited in a gentle, slow pace with soft spoken words and intentional crafting—a far cry from other, often overstimulating shows on TV right now.
Words by Sophie Coombs
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