Game of Wool Knitting Competition Debuts in Canada with Olympic Diver Tom Daley as Judge
Millennials and Generation Z are embracing a nostalgic return to cozy, analog pastimes, a cultural shift popularly known as the grandmacore trend. This movement sees younger individuals trading screen-based activities for traditional crafts like needlepoint, jigsaw puzzles, letter writing, and particularly knitting and crocheting.
The Rising Popularity of Handicrafts
The global market for knitting and crocheting reached an impressive US$9.48 billion in 2024, according to data from Global Growth Insights. In Canada specifically, these handicrafts are experiencing a robust six per cent annual growth rate, reflecting a significant resurgence in fiber arts among contemporary audiences.
Game of Wool Makes Its Canadian Premiere
Into this warm and comforting landscape arrives Game of Wool: Britain's Best Knitter, which debuts in Canada on March 18. The show will be available on the Makeful channel during a free preview period running through April 26. This series joins the ranks of popular British competition formats such as The Great British Bake Off, The Great British Sewing Bee, and The Great Pottery Throw Down.
Tom Daley's Knitting Journey
The show is hosted by five-time Olympic diver Tom Daley, who first gained viral attention during the 2020 Tokyo Games when he was photographed knitting in the stands during diving finals. Daley, now 31, discovered his passion for knitting somewhat unexpectedly.
"I actually started knitting on a flight to Canada for the Montreal Diving World Series in March 2020, just before lockdown," Daley recalls. "I downloaded a YouTube knitting video, picked up some needles and yarn, and I just fell in love with it. I mean, I was obsessed."
He emphasizes the therapeutic benefits of the craft, stating, "I just love the mindfulness of it, being able to switch off, escape everything, and really be present."
Competition Format and Challenges
On Game of Wool, which originally debuted in the United Kingdom in November 2025, Daley oversees ten knitters competing across eight episodes. Each installment features both a solo challenge and a team challenge, both conducted under strict time constraints.
The competitors, while not professional knitters, showcase impressive skill and contagious enthusiasm for fiber arts. The diverse group includes a library worker, a cruise ship singer, and a cybersecurity student among others.
Dramatic Moments and Creative Challenges
Daley notes the unexpected drama that unfolds during the competition, saying, "Oh gosh, who knew that knitting and crochet could be so dramatic?" He explains that contestants frequently had to adapt their projects on the fly to meet time deadlines.
One particularly memorable challenge required knitters to create a necklace and bracelet set, a lace-based lampshade, and a crocheted deck chair sling. Daley recalls a specific incident where a competitor's mistake proved costly: "Someone was making a sweater and accidentally knitted the right shoulder for the front and the left shoulder for the back. The jumper had to become off-the-shoulder, and it was all a little bit complicated. That ended up being something that cost them a place in the competition."
Advice for Aspiring Knitters
For viewers inspired to take up knitting themselves, Daley offers practical advice: "Make something you really want to make as your first project, because you do have to persevere at the beginning. It can feel complicated and a bit fiddly to start with, but once you get the hang of it, you're going to love it. Then you're on your way to making all kinds of things."
The judging panel for Game of Wool features renowned knitwear designers Di Gilpin and Sheila Greenwell, who bring their expertise to evaluate the competitors' creations. The combination of Daley's enthusiasm and the designers' professional insight creates a compelling viewing experience that celebrates both the artistry and community of modern knitting culture.
