Copyright dailymail
A group of island knitters have demanded an apology from Channel 4 over its portrayal of traditional techniques during a new show fronted by Tom Daley. The broadcaster’s latest series Game of Wool: Britain's Best Knitter sparked a 'cultural appropriation' row last week over its ‘misrepresentation’ of Fair Isle patterns in its first episode. Shetland's Organisation for Knitters (SOK) claimed the show presented by Olympic and World Champion diver Daley perpetuated 'negative misconceptions’ about the artisan skill, with knitters given 'imperfectly modified needles' to work with. Now a second island group has written an open letter to producers demanding an apology. Helen Barwick, of Shetland Stitch Club, wrote: ‘We are not adverse to fun, or innovation, or mixing Shetland traditions with traditions from further afield. In fact crafters here absolutely delight in new designs and influences. But what we really object to is misrepresentation and appropriation. ‘I think some acknowledgement and an apology must be in order…..maybe even consider commissioning a documentary about real Fair Isle knitting. I’d watch that.’ The anger arises from the portrayal of the world-renowned technique dating back to the 18th century, when wives would knit colourful garments to keep their fishermen husbands warm. SOK claimed 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’. It now plans to launch an online fundraising campaign today [Tuesday] as it aims ‘to educate, locals and visitors alike, both in person and online’. It said: ‘The events of this week have been the latest in a long line of examples in which Shetland’s heritage crafts have been inaccurately and detrimentally portrayed. 'For over a hundred years, Shetland knitters have been dealing with design theft, lack of attribution, and incorrect portrayal of our heritage skills. Addressing these issues takes time and emotional labour on the part of those individual knitters who have the courage to speak up.’ Channel 4 said it held Shetland’s knitting culture ‘in the highest regard’ and the challenge in episode one asked the amateur knitters ‘to reimagine a Fair Isle knit’. A spokesman added: ‘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 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.’
