Wishart writes to Channel 4 boss after misrepresentation of Fair Isle knitting

Scottish Liberal Democrat and Shetland MSP Beatrice Wishart has written to Channel Four’s Interim Chief Executive, Jonathan Allan, after the misrepresentation of Fair Isle knitting on its new show Game of Wool: Britain’s Best Knitter which aired on Sunday.

Ms Wishart’s letter highlighted criticism over the coverage of decision by a contestant to ‘cut’ his knitting. The episode framed the choice as risky and a factor in the contestant’s failure to complete the challenge, despite this being a well-known Fair Isle knitting technique. The contestant had previously spent time in Shetland learning local techniques.

Ms Wishart also highlighted:

• Misuse of the Shetland word ‘peerie’ as ‘peeries’, rather than ‘peerie patterns’ to describe small Fair Isle patterns
• A blurring of the distinctive Fair Isle pattern with other types of colourwork
• Use of the phrase ‘the Shetlands’ to describe the Shetland Islands 
• A C4 press release announcing the show in 2024 writing Fair Isle as ‘Fair Aisle’ 

The MSP encouraged a public acknowledgement of these misrepresentations and indicated that the show would be welcomed if it wished to come to Shetland and seriously engage with the Shetland knitting community. She offered the support of her office to help facilitate any visit.

Ms Wishart has lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament highlighting the locally controversial elements of the episode.

Ms Wishart said:

“Fair Isle knitting has for too long been misrepresented the world over. It makes it especially frustrating that a TV programme for a UK audience made by a Scottish production company would fall into a similar pattern.

“Even simple things like misspelling the isle’s name shows a lack of attention to detail for a community far from Edinburgh, Glasgow and London.      

“Lots of people have a passion for knitting and there was a sense of excitement and optimism about this new show which was sadly dashed on its first outing. 

“I would welcome a public acknowledgement of the misrepresentations in the show. I am sure that it would be greatly appreciated if the show came to Shetland to seriously engage with the skilled and creative Shetland knitting community.”

You can find the text of Ms Wishart’s motion to the Scottish Parliament below:

That the Parliament notes with regret the misrepresentation of Fair Isle knitting, which is a traditional knitting style using a colourwork technique that originated in Shetland in the late 19th century, in the first episode of the Channel 4 TV programme Game of Wool: Britain’s Best Knitter, which is produced by Glasgow-based Hello Halo (part of STV Studios); understands that the programme has reportedly faced criticism due to its use of incorrect terminology, including the misuse of the Shetland word "peerie" by describing small patterns as "peeries", rather than "peerie patterns", and blurring the distinctive Fair Isle with other types of colourwork; further understands there has been criticism of the setting of a challenge to produce a Fair Isle tank top using needles and yarn of the wrong sizing for Fair Isle knitting and in an unrealistic timeframe; understands that the decision by a contestant to "cut" his knitting, a practice which involves knitting in the round and then cutting holes for the arms and neck, was framed by the programme as a risky choice and a factor in the contestant’s failure to complete the challenge, despite this being a Fair Isle knitting technique and the contestant having previously spent time learning techniques in Shetland; notes that the programme used the phrase "the Shetlands" to describe the Shetland Islands, a term which is rejected by Shetlanders; expresses its extreme disappointment that despite the programme’s production team having been in contact with Shetland knitters to ask for advice before the programme aired, with one person answering questions and two sending videos, this was reportedly completely ignored; believes that this episode was a missed opportunity to accurately showcase the beloved tradition of Fair Isle knitting and the skill and creativity of the Shetland knitting community; highlights that there are knitting groups and organisations in Shetland working to teach the next generation of knitters the Fair Isle technique, with contemporary designers incorporating new colour palettes and styles as Fair Isle patterns continue to evolve, and recommends anyone with an interest in Fair Isle knitting to engage with the Shetland knitting community. 

Ms Wishart’s letter to Channel 4’s Interim Chief Executive Officer can be found below:

Dear Mr Allan 

‘Game of Wool: Britain’s Best Knitter’ misrepresenting Fair Isle knitting 

It is with regret that I contact you following the first episode of Channel 4’s ‘Game of Wool: Britain’s Best Knitter’ which aired last weekend and faced criticism after misrepresenting Fair Isle knitting and use of incorrect terminology. The programme misused the Shetland word ‘peerie’ as ‘peeires’, rather than ‘peerie patterns’ to describe small Fair Isle patterns. The episode also blurred the distinctive Fair Isle pattern with other types of colourwork. 

There has also been criticism of the challenge to produce a Fair Isle tank top using needles and yarn of the wrong sizing for Fair Isle knitting in an unrealistic timeframe. Indeed, I understand the decision by a contestant to ‘cut’ his knitting, a practice which involves knitting in the round and then cutting holes for the arm and neck, was framed by the programme as a risky choice and a factor in the contestant’s failure to complete the challenge, despite this being a well-known Fair Isle knitting technique and the contestant having previously spent time learning techniques in Shetland. 

I was disappointed to learn that despite the programme’s production team having been in contact with Shetland knitters to ask for advice before the programme aired, and as I understand it responses were forthcoming, these were considered to have been reportedly “completely ignored” once the show aired. 

I would also like to highlight misspelling of Fair Isle as Fair Aisle in a press release by Channel 4 dated 26th July 2024: https://www.channel4.com/press/news/more4-castnew-competitive-knitting-series-game-wool. For a community that feels that Edinburgh, Glasgow and London are distant is certainly does not instil a sense of care where even the island’s name is misspelt.

I believe that the episode was a missed opportunity to accurately demonstrate and showcase the beloved tradition of Fair Isle knitting and the skill and creativity of the Shetland knitting community. There are knitting groups and organisations in Shetland working to teach the next generation of knitters Fair Isle techniques, with contemporary designers incorporating new colour palettes and styles as Fair Isle patterns continue to evolve. I am sure you will agree that everything should be done to encourage this.

Most objectionably to many islanders was the programme’s use of the phrase ‘the Shetlands’ to describe the Shetland Islands. You may be interested to know that I have submitted a motion in the Scottish Parliament outlining these issues: Channel 4 TV Show misrepresents Fair Isle knitting. 

I am sure many Shetlanders at home and away, along with local knitters, would encourage a public acknowledgement of these misrepresentations. I would also imagine that should the show wish to come to Shetland and seriously engage with the Shetland knitting community it would be made welcome. To facilitate this, my office and I would be available to assist.

Yours sincerely 
Beatrice Wishart MSP