It was billed as a series that would showcase the art of knitting in a new light.
But now Channel 4 bosses are embroiled in a bizarre row over ‘cultural appropriation’ with a Scottish island with fewer than 50 inhabitants.
The portrayal of a world-renowned technique dating back to the 18th century, when wives on Fair Isle would knit colourful garments to keep their fishermen husbands warm at sea, has caused fury among those protecting the heritage of the island it originates.
Shetland’s Organisation of Knitters (SOK) has accused Channel 4 producers of ‘cultural appropriation’ during the first episode of its new show Game of Wool: Britain’s Best Knitter, hosted by Olympic and World Champion diver Tom Daley.
The group claim the programme ‘misrepresented’ the artisan skill as ‘many of the designs accepted as Fair Isle in the episode are more accurately described as stranded colourwork’.
In a scathing online post, it said: ‘The over application of the term Fair Isle to refer to any colourwork not only muddies the boundaries of this living heritage craft, but it erases the other forms of colourwork knitting in the world, which deserve to be named.’
The group said it had been ‘shocked and saddened’ by the way the traditional craft had been depicted, claiming the show was riddled with ‘clear’ errors in terminology and mispronunciations – including calling the island ‘the Shetlands’.
It added this was ‘especially disheartening from a UK-based show meant to encourage more people to take up knitting’.
Olympic diver Tom Daley fronts a new knitting show on Channel 4
Shetland Organisation of Knitters accused Game of Wool: Britain’s Best Knitter of “appropriation” because of its incorrect references to Fair Isle knitting
During the episode, ten amateur knitters were given 12 hours to produce a tank top inspired by ‘Fair Isle’ patterns.
But SOK claims this was ‘unrealistic’ and that Gordon Cree, the first contestant asked to leave the show for failing to finish his garment in time, was ‘vilified’ for ‘successfully cutting his knitting’ which was ‘perpetuating negative misconceptions about Fair Isle knitting techniques’, having been given ‘imperfectly modified needles’ with which to work.
Founding member Terri Leask claimed islanders were ‘furious’, particularly as the production team had been in contact with island knitters to ask for advice before the programme aired.
But she said despite one person answering questions and two sending in videos to the team, their advice had been ‘completely ignored’.
Ms Leask added: ‘If you were comparing it to something from the Bake Off, at least in that they give them the ingredients to do the things they’re asked.
‘And if they’re looking for the best knitter in Britain, why are they speed knitting?’
She said some islanders had considered applying for the show themselves, but had reconsidered after being told they would also need to crochet.
She added: ‘They’re completely different skills. It doesn’t really make sense when they’re looking for the UK’s best knitter.’
Paul McCartney of The Beatles posed wearing a Fair Isle tank top during filming of the television musical film ‘Magical Mystery Tour’
Responding to the group’s social media post knitters from across the country shared their frustrations at the way the traditional skill was being portrayed.
One said: ‘I’m Scottish and thought there was a lot of cultural appropriation going on. It annoyed me. Tom seems like a really nice person and I don’t want to say anything bad about him but I hope he respects our Scottish traditions a bit more.’
Another simply said: ‘I wonder how many other genres within knitting this program can insult and offend. There will be others because the programme format is clueless regarding bespoke garments and artesian skills’.
But one craftswoman claimed the show ‘was never advertised as a be all and end all for experienced knitters and as such I really enjoyed it’.
She added: ‘As an entertainment programme I was suitably entertained. Did I learn anything, no. Did I expect to? Also no. I shall continue to watch for more entertainment.’
A Channel 4 spokesman said: ‘We hold Shetland’s knitting culture in the highest regard and the challenge in episode one of Game of Wool: Britain’s Best Knitter asked the amateur knitters to reimagine a Fair Isle knit.
‘The contestants were tasked with creating a garment with a modern twist that acknowledged and celebrated the traditions of the beautiful Fair Isle technique.
‘Game of Wool is an entertainment series that is enjoyed by both knitters and non-knitters, and we hope it encourages many to pick up their needles and cast on!’
Game of Wool: Britain’s Best Knitter airs on Sundays at 8pm on Channel 4.
