Game of Wool - Q&A with Simon

AGE: 42

LOCATION: Kent

JOB: Builder / Ex-Royal Marine

You’re going to be competing in the first competitive knitting show. Are you thrilled? 
I am a bit nervous, but only because I’m a fly by the seat of my pants kind of guy. So, I don’t know what to do. If someone asks me to make something up on the spot I can do it, but there is so much time to mull things over, and planning is the thing that gets me!
 

What is your unique style of knitting? 
For me, it would be colour work and cable knit. 
 

What is the most ambitious project you’ve knitted?
My first scarf. 
 

What is it that you love most about knitting? 
I think creativity. 
 

Go on, there must be a part of the knitting process that you dislike - what is it? 
None of it really, I really love it. I quite enjoy the whole start to finish process. Some people hate casting on and weaving in, but I like it. It’s the finality of a project. 
 

How do you go about preparing for a competition like Game of Wool? 
Lots more knitting! Some days when I get in after a long day, I’m knitting all night. 
 

What are you hoping some of the challenges will be? 
I like intricate things, but they are usually time consuming. I think the team challenge will be great. I’ll be really comfortable there. But I’m going to enjoy the process as it comes and take it challenge by challenge. 
 

Are you just a knitting wiz or are you multi-skilled? 
I’ve always loved Martial Arts. I’m a rugby fan, but I’ve never been good at sports. 
 

Knitting is becoming cool again, why do you think this is? 
Fashion comes around and starts becoming fashionable for people to make it. Celebrities in the UK are doing it, and people are following them. It’s fashionable now and people like it and fall in love with it. 
 

If you had to give one piece of advice to someone picking up needles for the first time, what would you say to them? 
Just keep on doing it. It’s very easy to give up. Don’t stress about it, just keep going and push yourself. 
 

Finally, if you could create one thing with absolutely no budget restrictions or brief, what would you make? 
I’d like to create a really nice cable knit sweater out of special wool. 

ENDS