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00:00Previously, the knitters tackled their fifth solo challenge, amigurumi good enough to eat.
00:08Hoping for his first big knitter badge, Simon served a world-class fryer.
00:13I've added extra depth in stitches.
00:16But the team knit textured cardi caused controversy.
00:20This is inside out, this is outside in.
00:22It does still work.
00:24Resulting in a second big knitter badge for Holger.
00:27Thank you very much.
00:29Isaac was on rocky ground.
00:32There's quite a bit missing from the top here.
00:36Lydia stumbled.
00:38So, a few textural issues, it could have been knit.
00:42But ultimately, it was Tracy who was cast off from the competition.
00:48Now.
00:50It's week six and time for our five remaining knitters to start standing out from the flock.
00:55Not something I usually have that much of a problem with.
00:58It's Statement Week from Game of War.
01:06Welcome back to the Yarn Barn knitters.
01:08You've made it to the final five.
01:10I think you should give yourself a round of applause.
01:12Come on.
01:13Oh, that's enough.
01:14It is a competition after all.
01:16So, this week is Statement Week.
01:21It's time for your solo challenge.
01:24And Di and Sheila would love for you to make some Statement Jewelry.
01:29So, a statement doesn't have to be big, but it does have to be bold and exciting and original.
01:39We are expecting two pieces, a necklace and either a cuff or a bracelet that really work together.
01:49You need to choose the best possible materials to create something new.
01:55You have ten hours for this one.
01:57So, let's get knitting.
02:04This challenge is about creating high-end, handmade jewellery, which makes a statement.
02:09I don't think I have ever made anything like this before.
02:12The judges have asked for a coordinated necklace and bracelet set using innovative materials.
02:19Think tiny needles, think intricate stitches, think absolute precision.
02:24I just managed to stick the sharp bit straight in the end of my finger.
02:27I'd like to think that what I'm making is going to make a statement.
02:33At this stage in the competition, it's about thinking beyond traditional knitting
02:37and focusing on miniature details and unexpected materials to secure a place in the semi-final.
02:45I would love to make it through to the semi-finals.
02:48The standards are just so high, so there's no telling what can happen.
02:55First, knitters must start with the necklace,
02:58shaping their design to create the perfect fit and drape,
03:02considering how beads, wires or gems could enhance their piece.
03:06Next, knitters must complete their bracelet or cuff,
03:11ensuring a cohesive design across both pieces to create a dramatic set.
03:17Finally, knitters should consider any fastenings across both elements.
03:22They'll need both clever construction and striking design innovation
03:25to make these statement sets in just 10 hours.
03:28So it's statement jewellery.
03:33We are looking for balance between the cuff piece and the necklace.
03:39Carefully thought out, is this impactful enough?
03:44It will need to be very dramatic.
03:47They've reached this far and now they need to really, really work hard to get through.
03:53All to play for.
03:54All to play for.
03:55All to play for.
03:59Lydia is kicking off with an intricate beaded necklace
04:02and after stumbling last week, she's come back fighting.
04:05The first thing I thought of was incredible necklaces that they wear in Africa.
04:10Last week got to me a lot.
04:13I was pretty sure I was going to be on the bottom.
04:15Imposter syndrome does hit me quite hard.
04:17But I'm here and I do really want to set that role model for not just my girls,
04:22but for other young girls who just feel like this space isn't for them.
04:26I'm backing myself this week.
04:29Lydia's West African inspired necklace uses mosaic crochet to produce a stiff fabric,
04:35giving structure to her choker.
04:37She will then crochet a free-form lace collar beneath.
04:40Her matching cuff will also be made using mosaic crochet
04:44and the whole set will be threaded with tiny bead details.
04:48She has chosen mercerized cotton for the set,
04:51a yarn which has been chemically treated to make it stronger and shinier.
04:56I've got this super tiny crochet needle.
04:59It's a 0.6 millimeter needle.
05:01Lydia is tackling the fiddly hook-in-bead method,
05:05where you place the bead on a tiny hook,
05:07pull a loop of yarn through it
05:09and then transfer the beaded loop back into your working hook
05:13to complete the stitch.
05:15Hold it as tight as possible.
05:17Just go through.
05:19It's quite fiddly with the bead.
05:25Are you actually knitting in a bin bag?
05:27Yeah.
05:28What?
05:29In an absolutely classic Holger move,
05:32he has made his own yarn for this challenge out of a bin liner.
05:36I want to achieve a very specific look, like a shimmer,
05:40so I had to make my own little plastic yarn.
05:43Any fashion student at some point in their life
05:45will have made something out of bin liners.
05:47Holger's bin bag jewellery set is made up of a knitted collar and cuff,
05:53using liners cut into strips to emulate the black gemstone jet often worn during Victorian periods of mourning.
06:02He plans to add a cotton lace trim to complete the statement look.
06:06I guess if it all goes wrong, it'll be easy to throw away afterwards.
06:10Holger!
06:11Can I have a go?
06:12Yeah.
06:14Gosh, it is weird to hold.
06:17The material, it sticks to the needles, it's hard to hold the correct tension.
06:21I think I'm happy with what it does.
06:24Would you consider this quite a big risk to kind of make a statement piece of jewellery with essentially trash?
06:33Yeah, absolutely.
06:34I'm thinking this is the part of the competition where you need to start taking risks.
06:37You can try and coast through the first few stages by playing it safe,
06:41but there is a point at which you can't get away with that anymore.
06:46It seems everyone is going for gold this week,
06:49as Simon, who came so close to securing his first sheet badge last week,
06:54is also going bold with his material choice.
06:57I am knitting wire.
06:59This is a heart on the back of the neck.
07:02Are you making your jewellery for anyone in particular?
07:05It's actually for my wife.
07:08I think she deserves a bit of knitted jewellery after 17 long suffering years of Naomi.
07:16I always maintained that it was love at first sight.
07:19Yeah, I just, I couldn't stop thinking about her.
07:23So obviously I went back to a period of high stress.
07:26She used to send me like gifts and letters and stuff out to Afghan.
07:30We've been through a lot as a couple, we've been through a lot.
07:34My father was in the forces himself and his father was in the forces
07:38and my mum's dad was in the forces.
07:40I just look back at it as life's path and it's kind of led me here to this thing.
07:45I would love to win it, but there's a big competition.
07:49But I will keep on going until the bitter end.
07:55For his wife Vic, Simon is knitting a statement of his love using wire to create a heart on the back
08:01and a sculpture centrepiece of the love hormone oxytocin to hang on the front.
08:06He is planning to knit a matching wire cuff, but engineering a chain for this statement wire necklace requires an unusual technique.
08:15I'm doing some Viking knitting.
08:16Viking knitting?
08:17Yeah.
08:18Wow.
08:19What I'm doing is I'm creating a chain.
08:21So I've got my crochet hook and then it's basically just then creating the knit stitch.
08:27Wow.
08:28But just by threading the wire through down the crochet hook.
08:31Is this you throwing everything at it because you need to get a sheet badge here, don't you?
08:36If I go out and I haven't given it absolutely everything, then I'll be beating myself up for a long time.
08:40Also working her way through the cord for her necklace is Ailsa. She has been inspired by home.
08:48I'm inspired by the landscape of Scotland. When you get out of the city and you go up to the Highlands, off-grid, away from the world, it's a beautiful place.
09:01Ailsa's homage to Scotland is a traditional thistle-inspired necklace made using classic I-chords.
09:08Her matching bracelet will be knitted using the same colours, purple for the thistle and green to reflect the landscape of Scotland.
09:16Like Lydia, she will be using mercerised cotton.
09:21I'm using this cotton material because of the sheen that it has.
09:25It might not be statement enough, but this is definitely statement for me.
09:31With two hours gone, the knitters should be working their way through their necklaces whilst considering how to ensure the striking drama the judges are expecting.
09:46How did you take to the beading?
09:52The black thread is slightly thicker than the gold, so it's slightly harder to get the bead on, but, yeah, it's not too bad.
09:59You can use them very discreetly, but it adds that extra dimension, doesn't it?
10:04Yeah.
10:05So, from this, are you going to do a free-form crochet?
10:08Yes.
10:09I have a plan in my head, but in terms of, like, how it comes together, it is by eye.
10:18The temptation is to go for the overall design and put all of your attention into that, but think about the end process as well, because it needs to sit beautifully on the mannequin.
10:30Yeah.
10:31Yeah.
10:32Statement.
10:33That's the goal.
10:34Statement.
10:39Sporting his sheep badge from Kids Week, Isaac is finding this week's statement jewellery a little bit out of his comfort zone.
10:46I was actually really struggling to come up with ideas for statement jewellery.
10:49My girlfriend had the idea of, like, a daisy chain.
10:52This is the best I've got.
10:53Isaac, it could work out really well.
10:55Without any kind of drawing or plan, Isaac is using free-form crochet to create a simple daisy chain necklace with a larger daisy pendant hanging from the middle.
11:08His matching daisy chain bracelet will be in the same design, and the whole set will be made from classic cotton yarn.
11:15How are you going to make the chain?
11:17So, I'm going to be doing it directly onto the daisies.
11:19I'll be doing a daisy pendant as well.
11:21Right.
11:22Just to add to that, like, statement feature.
11:25Because, obviously, a daisy chain itself is not a statement.
11:28So, just one daisy chain?
11:30Yes.
11:31Yep.
11:33Do you feel that this makes enough of a statement?
11:36I'm hoping that with the pendant it will.
11:38OK.
11:39I think a lot of your work is quite understated, but very well engineered.
11:44That's what I'm really looking for, to take it out of being a simple daisy chain into something really special.
11:58Now I've got the bulk of my necklace done.
12:01This needs jazzed up a bit.
12:03And we have the main body which will have the trim on the outside.
12:08My hands aren't designed for such a small crochet hook.
12:12In fairness, your hands are not designed for anything smaller than a sledgehammer, right?
12:18Knitters, you are halfway through your jewellery challenge.
12:21That's five hours remaining.
12:26With five hours remaining, the knitters should all be finishing the body of their necklaces and adding any details to ensure drama and flair.
12:34Okay.
12:36Lydia has now completed her choker, but she's determined to ensure the lace section hangs absolutely correctly.
12:43Joins.
12:45And now it's time to make this lace sing.
12:49Blocking or steaming the lace will stretch and set the fabric, adding definition to the piece.
12:55I hope it's enough to keep me in the competition.
12:58I need to do the bracelet now.
13:00While Lydia attempts to steam her necklace to victory, Simon has got a far more risky technique for his.
13:08I'm just about to stretch a chain to make enough chain for my jewellery.
13:13We've had to link so many bits of wire up together.
13:19The danger is pulling it apart, pulling your chain apart.
13:22Using a needle finder, he is stretching out his Viking knitting to create a chain that it could break at any moment.
13:28God, this is just literally fraught with danger.
13:32It's all about mind over matter, right?
13:34So you don't know how far you can push yourself until you just take control of it.
13:37In this competition, when you're really up against the wire and just being able to still yourself and settle yourself down is really important.
13:44You've got to live and die by your own decisions.
13:46Right, okay, I'm going to go down to five now.
13:48It's statement week and our knitters are in the final three hours of their solo challenge. High-end, high-impact jewellery.
14:06We have the main body of the necklace.
14:09Wow! Oh, my gosh.
14:11I hate looking up. It makes me feel so bad.
14:15Isaac has completed his daisy chain and is now making the daisy pendant.
14:22I'm knitting the centre of it and then crocheting the petals.
14:26I'm slightly worried that it's maybe not statement enough. I don't know.
14:32And Simon has successfully stretched out his chain and is now securing the wire centrepiece.
14:37How are you feeling?
14:41The chain's worked really well. Do you know what? I just feel proud of what I've managed to achieve and it's so different.
14:47Yeah, just proud.
14:49Yeah, I think you've aced it, Simon. I mean, I haven't seen the final thing all put together.
14:53Seeing the different components and hearing about it, like, it's sick.
15:00Lydia has blocked her necklace but is unhappy with how the free-form lace section is sitting.
15:05It's bunching up at the bottom a little bit because there's not enough chains.
15:12So, she is boldly unravelling some of it.
15:16I'm going to do these three rows and make them bigger.
15:23I really want to make sure that this is as beautiful as possible.
15:30In the final hour, knitters should have moved on to their bracelets
15:33to ensure the matching set the judges have asked for.
15:36My bracelet is a daisy chain. It's made of four daisies.
15:38Initially, I wanted to do it double wrapped.
15:40Probably just don't think I'm going to have time.
15:41My pendant is taking me a little bit longer than I had anticipated.
15:45The bracelet will be all black?
15:46All black.
15:47No pretence here. This is the after piece.
15:54Not an afterthought, but this is the piece.
15:57That makes me just a little anxious.
16:02I want to see something really stunning.
16:05Can't wait to see that, Holger.
16:06Me too.
16:08Inspired by Simon's Viking knitting, Ailsa has decided
16:12to sneak some wire into her bracelet.
16:15I've just made a wee metal circle to put in the middle of the bracelet
16:21just to give it a wee something to...
16:23Mate, how have you done that so neatly?
16:25Oh, don't do metal.
16:27Don't do metal.
16:30Knitters!
16:3230 minutes to go.
16:3330 minutes to go.
16:3530 minutes to go, people.
16:37Okay, thank you.
16:38I can't believe they gave you a tattoo for this.
16:46Holger, how's the bracelet? Braceleting?
16:48Slowly but surely.
16:50Okay. Ailsa.
16:52Just finishing off my bracelet.
16:54Jazzing up a wee bit.
16:57Simon's still Viking knitting.
16:58So you don't have a bracelet currently?
17:00I don't have a bracelet currently, but we are on it like a car bonnet.
17:09So your necklace is done.
17:10Yep.
17:11And you're working on your bracelet.
17:13At this stage, I just need to get the fastenings on,
17:15so it actually works as a bracelet.
17:17Isaac, there's your necklace.
17:19With your pendant.
17:20So what are you doing now?
17:21I'm just making a few more daisies with the time I have left.
17:27It's almost ready. It's almost ready.
17:31Oh, where did that go?
17:34I just hit a couple of my ends.
17:42Knitters, your time is up.
17:44Needles down.
17:46Nice.
17:48Well done, guys.
17:50Exhausted.
17:51That's five sets of unique statement jewellery in just ten hours.
17:59I haven't just sat back on my laurels.
18:01It's something completely different.
18:03I'm trusting in myself for this one.
18:09Well done, knitters.
18:10That's five statement jewellery sets complete in just ten hours.
18:15But what do our beautiful, bejazzled judges think?
18:19Olga, if you'd like to come up.
18:20We asked for an interesting use of material and you've certainly done that.
18:31This really does work.
18:33You get the sheen coming through and a surprising amount of different colour.
18:39Yeah.
18:41So this is the bracelet.
18:42I've tried a hint of lace.
18:45I'm glad to see that you have embellished this more and created more drama in it.
18:53What I feel is just slightly lacking, this piece, I'm not even sure I wouldn't put some white in as well.
19:02OK.
19:03Having said all of that, very well done with the plastic bin bag.
19:07In a statement.
19:09And next up we have Elsa.
19:18It's a little bit of Scotland, really, leaping out at you.
19:24You have used mercerised cotton.
19:33There might have been more impactful yarns that you could have chosen.
19:39So Elsa, looking at the overall design, now I've seen the bracelet.
19:44What I would also really like to have seen is some of this heather colour.
19:49actually in one of these chords running through here.
19:54So that you've got more interest in the colour side of it.
19:58And the drama then, bringing them both together.
20:02I actually love this work in the middle.
20:05It makes me feel there's something missing here between the two.
20:09Yep.
20:11OK, Simon, if you'd like to come up please.
20:20We really have to commend your, your use of the materials.
20:23Yes.
20:24I think this chain, this is something you literally had a moment.
20:28And you thought, I know what I'm going to do.
20:30And I'm going to learn how to do this.
20:34Of course, there are a couple of little issues.
20:40A little bit sticking out.
20:42Less keen on that as a finish.
20:44I actually quite like the slightly rough edges.
20:48Because that's me.
20:49Like, slightly rough around the edges.
20:54This.
20:55It's kind of very scientific.
20:57But I'm not sure how impactful it is.
20:59OK.
21:00It somehow doesn't work with the heart.
21:02So it doesn't feel quite married together.
21:06Up next, Isaac.
21:07We asked for impactful and striking.
21:18Pretty though the daisy chains are.
21:22I'm not sure that they have enough drama.
21:27I am really relieved to see this.
21:30Once I come up with this concept,
21:33I'd want to throw the rest out and start again.
21:35This is over fussy.
21:41And detracts from...
21:43The main event.
21:44The main event.
21:45OK.
21:46You've not gone wild with your choices and materials.
21:48Certainly not, no.
21:49No.
21:50It's very restrained.
21:52We wanted statement and impact.
21:54It's just not got that impact that we were looking for.
21:59Thank you very much, Isaac.
22:01And next we have Lydia.
22:05You used your black and your gold cotton and some beads.
22:20Yeah.
22:22What you created with that is very impressive.
22:25Yeah, I think it's a great piece, Lydia.
22:30There's a real elegance to this and a real sense of proportion.
22:34I think your free-form crochet has worked really well.
22:40The bracelet.
22:42I would like to wear that.
22:46A piece of jewellery I'd reach for all the time.
22:49Thank you very much, Lydia.
22:56I am more gutted about lad judging than any of the others.
23:00I was kind of struggling with the concept this week.
23:03And I don't think that anything they had to say was unfair or unjust.
23:06But I do think I might be in a bit of a dangerous position.
23:15Five knitted jewellery sets safely locked away in the knitted vault.
23:19The knitters have one more chance to impress the judges and avoid the cast off.
23:23For your group challenge, Di and Sheila would love for you to make some statement lighting.
23:35Guys.
23:38We would like you to make a very special one-of-a-kind lighting installation.
23:45You will be using a linen yarn and working to a vintage lace pattern.
23:50We want you to make five panels and each one will be the same.
23:56And you will be attaching it to an incredible lampshade.
24:03We will be judging your ability to follow a lace pattern and execute it perfectly.
24:11Well, as you know by now, this challenge is judged blind,
24:15so I'm now going to ask Di and Sheila to leave the yarn barn.
24:18Although in this challenge you are all working on the same team,
24:23each of your panels is going to be judged individually.
24:27You have ten hours. Your time starts now.
24:30Let's get knitting.
24:36This challenge requires each knitter to knit 80 rows of lace,
24:39a notoriously tricky technique which produces an open, airy fabric.
24:45While previously team challenges have tested both technique and design,
24:49this challenge is solely about whether the knitters can execute a complex pattern flawlessly.
24:55That looks ominous.
25:01Pineapple pattern is an exquisite lace design with origins in Shetland,
25:05which showcases two pineapple motifs linked with a central column.
25:10But with over 5,000 stitches in total, even one mistake could ruin the entire design.
25:15First, knitters must select their needles.
25:20Circular needles, which are designed to hold more stitches,
25:24or wooden straight needles, which allow a better view of the stitches on your row.
25:28If you'll take them both, then people have the option whether they want to do circular or straight.
25:36Then, they must each execute their own individual lace panel.
25:42Lastly, they should steam to even out their stitch work,
25:45before combining to create one bespoke and beautiful light feature.
25:49Difficulties with this challenge is you can't tell what's a purposeful hole and what's an accidental one.
25:59This challenge is by far the hardest team knit yet,
26:02with every knitter needing to execute their panel to perfection in order for the challenge to be completed.
26:08If yours stands out, that it's not looking the same,
26:11then you can effectively say goodbye to the competition, can't you? That's it.
26:15That's it.
26:18It's that point in the programme.
26:21Yeah.
26:22We need to really challenge these knitters, because we're looking for the best.
26:28So, why is lace knitting particularly challenging?
26:32Well, lace is challenging because you're creating a series of holes.
26:38You have to open that hole.
26:40If you drop a stitch, it can be a disaster.
26:45Mm.
26:46Because going back and actually establishing where your row is, is really difficult.
26:55A really important and focal part of this design is the centre column.
27:01It has to be straight, no mistakes at all.
27:04The knitters must each precisely follow the pattern in front of them.
27:12But with 66 stitches on every row, and 80 rows in total, complete concentration is required.
27:19Winner of the big knitter back in week one, Ailsa has done lace before, but not under these conditions.
27:25So, Ailsa, how do you feel ten hours is for you, with a panel like this?
27:32To be honest, I don't really stress much, but you're rushing over things that you wouldn't normally make.
27:38Six.
27:40Seven.
27:41I haven't done lace for a while because obviously I've got young kids at home and it's harder to concentrate.
27:49But despite not having practice recently, Lydia's lace impressed the judges back in week three in the swimwear challenge.
27:56Simon and Isaac are the only two knitters who have never attempted lace before.
28:01And what about you, Isaac? How are you finding your first time doing lace?
28:05I kind of thrive on having very direct instruction.
28:10So, each row that I look at, I'm like, OK, I can do that, I can do that, I can do that, and then it's just sort of building.
28:16Yeah, he's the furthest ahead, he's never done it before.
28:19You little Hermione Granger, you.
28:22What? Good for you.
28:26I can see the wave, yeah? It's coming along.
28:29How can you see what you've done right and what you've done wrong?
28:31I can't, because I've never done lace before, so I won't be able to tell you if that's right or wrong.
28:40Holger is the only knitter who has chosen straight needles for his panel.
28:45What was the decision behind using your straight needles?
28:47I can't cope with the fact, I mean, the needle part is only that long, and the minute the stitches fall onto this bit,
28:53they kind of clump up, and then the straight needles, they're all kind of on the same thickness.
28:59It makes it a little bit easier.
29:01But Lydia is struggling to keep track of her stitches with the circular needles.
29:06I've made a mistake and I'm trying to find where I've dropped my stitches.
29:10I don't know where I am, because I can't see.
29:15Because my needle, it's just like, they just get stuck, and then they don't move onto the needle.
29:22That's my problem.
29:24A few hours into the challenge, knitters should be well into their lace panels.
29:34And to avoid having to pull out mistakes, some of the knitters are using an old trick, the lifeline.
29:39Right now, I'm just about to insert my first lifeline. I'm literally just going through every stitch that's on the needle, and it just stops it.
29:48So if you're ripping back, you can't rip back any further than the lifeline.
29:52Isaac, Holger and Ailsa are all putting in lifelines regularly, stopping for five minutes to add each one.
30:01It's just a bit of insurance if things go wrong.
30:04But Simon and Lydia are going rogue, knitting without lifelines.
30:09I might get a bit scared off later on and stick one in, but I'm just going to go. Just going to go for it.
30:15You've got to count every stitch. Every stitch counts. It's that simple, because if you make a mistake, it's going to be glare in the office.
30:22Let me just check my knit bit a second.
30:27Oh, you're halfway through the challenge, and my current resting stitch count is 66.
30:35Oh, same. Good.
30:37With five hours gone, the knitters should be hitting the halfway point in their 80-row pattern.
30:43I'm on row 48. I'm on row 36. Not as far as I'd like to be.
30:48I'm on row 37. I'm not as far as some people.
30:53But Lydia is still struggling to fix the mistake she made earlier.
30:57If this row count isn't right, I actually am going to give up.
31:09We've got to sleep in a minute.
31:10Four, six, 58, 60. No, she's missing a stitch.
31:22Eesh.
31:25It's also incredibly hard with the intricate details that are in this lace work to find one stitch.
31:30One stitch is a mistake.
31:31One stitch is a mistake.
31:32It's just that extra added pressure, and I think Lydia's the type of person that holds pressure on herself,
31:36because she's so keen to do well.
31:37And the thing is, I've been where she is right now, you know, where you feel like you're not going to be able to recover,
31:41but, you know, you make it through, don't you?
31:43The problem I'm having is with my stitches getting stuck on my needle.
31:53I don't know if I'm just going to switch to these straight 7mm needles so I can actually see my work and move it up and down.
32:00My gauge might be off, but then at least I'd have a finished piece of work.
32:05But I don't have a lot of time, and I'm not even halfway through the chart, so...
32:17And I don't know why I'm crying, mate, because it's Mother's Day.
32:20I'm not with my...
32:22The knitters are in the final stages of their most technical team knit yet, lace lighting.
32:40Having struggled to keep track of the required 66 stitches per row,
32:44Lydia is hoping different needles will make a difference.
32:49How are you doing, mate?
32:51Well, here we are.
32:54So I have counted.
32:56Yeah.
32:57You are on 65, but just get to a point, throw yarn over in and just carry on.
33:03Honestly, that's all Holger's been doing.
33:06I think that's the way to approach this, otherwise you're going to make yourself crazy.
33:10Also, if Holger can literally stitch...
33:14..a jump rope back to front and still come first...
33:18..if you've just chucked a yarn over in there, mate, chances are you're still going to come first.
33:23Do you know what I mean?
33:24You've got this.
33:25Thanks for making this all about me again.
33:29It's hard to be away.
33:30I spend a lot of my time not seeing my kids.
33:32Yeah, it's hard, because they're at the age where, you know,
33:35they do new things all the time and they're really funny.
33:39But I know I've got my whole family behind me.
33:43I think they'll be really proud of me.
33:45Simon's suggestion of adding a yarn over means there will be an extra unplanned hole in the panel.
33:51But the stitch count will be correct.
33:54Now I've got 66.
33:55So...
33:56Hey!
33:57I've got the right amount of stitches.
33:59I'm fine.
34:00Yeah.
34:01It's fine.
34:02I stay calm.
34:06For the most part.
34:07With two hours remaining, knitters should be nearing the end of the panel
34:15and leaving time to steam their stitches.
34:18I am on row 56.
34:20I like clear instructions, so I think that's kind of worked in my favour.
34:26But Simon has discovered he no longer has the 66 stitches required per row.
34:33I had to rip back about ten rows.
34:35Obviously I was attempting to do it without a lifeline.
34:37I'll be lucky if I get it finished.
34:42While Simon was helping previously and trying to get Lydia back on track,
34:46Simon has found himself with mistakes and has had to rip back rows and rows of work
34:50and now he's...
34:51There's no way that he's going to finish.
34:59Knitters, you have one hour to go.
35:05In the final hour, knitters should be steaming their lace work and then fitting it to the frame.
35:10So this is what your work is going to be sewn to.
35:15Ten hours of blood, sweat and tears for a lovely lampshade.
35:19Lace novice Isaac is first to complete the pattern.
35:29Look at that.
35:30Laces is crazy because it looks like a mess, but obviously once it's stretched out to this size,
35:34it will look good.
35:38Holger is next to hit the haberdashery.
35:40There is one glaring mistake here where this doesn't perfectly line up.
35:45Right, I'm just going to go block.
35:48And despite her earlier concerns, Lydia's lace panel is also complete.
35:53I could not tell you how the heck I got here.
35:57But Ailes and Simon are still knitting.
36:00Yes, I don't have time to block.
36:05It's not going to be finished.
36:15I'm going to just try and sew it as best as I can onto the frame.
36:21I'm going to help Simon.
36:22I can sew the bottom while you cast up.
36:26I want it stretched right out on the panel.
36:32Beautiful.
36:37Knitters, your time is up.
36:42Done.
36:43Good effort, team.
36:45It's done.
36:46You've done it and it's on there.
36:47Hmm.
36:49It might have been our most tense team knit yet,
36:52but that's one bespoke lace-like feature complete in just 10 hours.
36:58I was going to cut it up, throw it across the room and walk out of the barn.
37:02I just kept on going.
37:04I hope the judges are kind, but if not, then you've got to take it on the chin.
37:12Well done, knitters.
37:13What a lovely little lace number you've created.
37:15That was quite the challenge, wasn't it?
37:18Hmm.
37:19Let's welcome the judges back.
37:21Hello.
37:22Oh.
37:27Oh, my goodness.
37:36It's very impressive, isn't it?
37:38Just wild. I love it.
37:40Absolutely love it.
37:41It's bringing out the character and the skill of each individual.
37:48And I think we should start looking at the stitches.
37:51Time to turn down the lights and get up close and personal with those stitches.
37:54Absolutely.
37:55Are you ready?
37:56Yes.
37:57OK.
37:58The first frame in the spotlight.
37:59In Shetland, the women, when they were making their lace, they would hold up their lace panels in front of the fire so they could see their stitches and check their pattern.
38:23There is nowhere to hide.
38:26The first frame in the spotlight is Isaac's.
38:31On this panel, we can see some really lovely stitch work at the top.
38:35Very open, it's sometimes difficult to achieve the balance and evenness when the stitches are so open.
38:47The knitter's aim was to achieve the texture of the pineapple. This knitter has achieved that really well. I can see very few mistakes in this.
38:58Next up is Holger.
39:08The columns on either side are nice and neat. That has worked.
39:13Yes, it has.
39:15The centre panels, it's not 100% straight.
39:18You can really see how one row can impact the design.
39:28Panel number three is Ailsa's.
39:33In this lovely top of the pineapple, we can see quite a few errors.
39:40Over here.
39:43And here.
39:45We've not got that lovely, even, open work line and stitches.
39:51This whole top section is really not great.
39:55There is still a column problem.
39:58Just here.
40:00It goes awry.
40:03The next panel is Lydia's.
40:11At the top, we've got a very nice, very even top section.
40:19It doesn't look too bad, top and bottom, but there's definitely something that happens.
40:23Yeah.
40:24Just when the two centre panels are at their closest, things went a bit haywire in the middle.
40:35Last is Simon.
40:41This panel isn't finished.
40:43This doesn't sit exactly where it should.
40:49Something went wrong.
40:51Round about here.
40:53And that sort of knocked everything off balance.
41:00I think this is quite an irregular panel.
41:04And hasn't got the integrity that you would like to see.
41:09Yeah.
41:14OK, shall we turn the lights back on?
41:16Yay!
41:18So, Di and Sheila, have you come to a decision?
41:20We have.
41:22In fifth place is this panel here.
41:27In fourth place is this panel, Lydia.
41:31In third place, this panel, Ilse.
41:35Who did it?
41:36Isaac.
41:37Congratulations.
41:38You followed the pattern incredibly carefully.
41:40Well done.
41:41Very well done.
41:43Well, constitulations, Isaac.
41:45Now it's time for Di and Sheila to deliberate before the final knitting circle.
41:49One thing that this competition has taught me is that I can do way more than I think I can.
41:54It's my first time knitting lace, and right up until about three hours ago, I was like, no, we're getting this done, we're not going to be bottom, we're doing it, and then suddenly it all changes on a dime.
42:07It does get tougher every week.
42:08One, because the standards are higher, and two, because there's so few of you, a cast off feels a lot more heavy, someone's going into the barn for the last time.
42:20Who's impressed you this week?
42:21Holger.
42:22His individual piece fulfilled a brief.
42:23His lace panels are on.
42:24It does get tougher every week.
42:25One, because the standards are higher, and two, because there's so few of you, a cast off feels a lot more heavy, someone's going into the barn for the last time.
42:38Who's impressed you this week?
42:42Holger.
42:43His individual piece fulfilled a brief.
42:48His lace panel, a couple of tiny mistakes, but overall, a very good week for Holger.
42:56Yeah.
42:57Lydia.
42:58I think for the first time, I can say there is not a mistake.
43:05This is a beautiful piece.
43:08Both technically and in design terms, it's very striking.
43:12And on the flip side of that, he's in danger this week.
43:16Simon.
43:17Simon decided to throw his all at a solo challenge, took up Viking knitting.
43:26It was very, very complex, and he'd never done this before.
43:30He had never done lace before, and that didn't quite work out as well, did it?
43:34Ailsa.
43:37Her jewellery piece was lacking.
43:41Were you expecting her to be better in the lighting panel?
43:45I really was.
43:46I was really quite surprised.
43:48This is a space in the semi-final of Game of War, so this isn't an easy decision to make, especially when the standard has been so incredibly high.
43:57And I'd hate to be you too.
44:00I hate being me too as well.
44:02Knitters.
44:03Well done this week.
44:04You made quite the statement in your lacy lighting and your bold and unique jewellery sets.
44:15But as we knit our way through this competition, it gets harder and harder to choose who the big knitter is, as well as the person being cast off.
44:22So, Diane Sheila.
44:24The person that's most impressed us, they came through with the most extraordinary solo statement piece of jewellery.
44:37It's the first time to me, first time I've felt it's, something's perfect.
44:44So, the big knitter this week is...
44:47Lydia.
44:48Oh, Lydia.
44:49Oh, I want to give you a hug.
44:51Oh.
44:52Here's your sheet badge.
44:55Congratulations.
45:08But sadly, we still do have to lose someone in the competition.
45:16The person being cast off this week is...
45:29Simon.
45:33Give us a hug, Simon.
45:35Thank you so much.
45:37We've done so much good for the world of knitting.
45:39Big hug, Simon.
45:41Breaking all the stereotypes.
45:42Yeah.
45:43And that's what we like.
45:44This sheep almost means way more than the other one.
45:47I'm very shocked.
45:48I'm very happy.
45:50You've been an absolute star.
45:52Really lovely too.
45:53Happy with us all these weeks.
45:54Being in the Game of War has been stressful and emotional.
45:57Massive highs and lows, but hopefully it just shows that everyone can knit.
46:02I'm not dead.
46:10Next time, it's the semi-final as we transform charity knits into catwalk couture.
46:17Have you ever made a dress fit for the catwalk before?
46:19Never made a dress before.
46:20Never made anything fit for a catwalk.
46:22Yeah.
46:23And reinvent rags into bags.
46:25You can definitely feel the tension in the air.
46:32And that's back at the usual time of 8 o'clock next week.
46:35Christmas chefs, Jamie's got some cook-ahead tips tomorrow night at 8 o'clock.
46:40Mix, freeze and store to make the big day stress-free.
46:43Next tonight, the little known story of Apollo 1
46:46and the three astronauts that perished without ever leaving the ground.
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