Game of Wool crowns Britain’s Best Knitter

Holger was awarded the golden knitting needles

Ten amateur knitters cast on in the Yarn Barn eight weeks ago, but only one could be crowned Britain’s Best Knitter. Tonight, Holger, 55, a fashion designer based in London celebrated victory as he was awarded Game of Wool’s golden knitting needles.

Over the course of the series, overseen by host Tom Daley, the knitters were challenged to create a variety of unique makes and larger than life projects, from clothing and jewellery to home accessories and furniture – all made from wool. The knitters’ creative approaches and techniques have been watched over and judged by experts Di Gilpin and Shelia Greenwell, known for their work knitting for fashion juggernauts such as Chanel, Vivienne Westwood, Paul Smith and Nike. 

In the final episode, the three remaining knitters – Holger, Lydia and Ailsa – teamed up to yarn bomb a post box, transforming it into a masterpiece that reflected their time in the competition, including a tiny Tom, Di and Sheila. Then, in their ultimate solo challenge, they had 12 hours to create a showpiece knitted hat of any style, using any technique and any yarn. 

With the judges looking for flawless execution and a signature style, Ailsa designed a vintage Breton-style hat, Lydia created a beret using her own hand-dyed yarn, while Holger made a stocking cap with a Fair Isle design and a link to his German heritage.

As he was crowned the winner, Holger said: “It’s massively overwhelming. I am extremely happy, I was not expecting, in a field like we had, to be named the winner, it feels very, very sweet. But really the thing I take back from this is the community feel and the people you meet and the friendships that you form. It sounds like a cliché, but that’s really what it is, that’s the reality of it.” 

Tom Daley said to Holger: “The things you have created in this competition have been absolutely incredible.” 

And as the series concluded Tom added: “I really think this competition has pushed some of the boundaries of what you can create with knitting and crochet... Over the last eight weeks we have had a wild ride and I think [we] have really defied what is possible with two sticks and a ball of yarn.” 

Stream Game of Wool: Britain’s Best Knitter on Channel 4 now.