The first ever Heavy Metal Knitting Championship has just been held in Finland. Yes, you read that correctly.
This bizarre, completely ridiculous, yet somehow satisfying competition saw metal heads knit to the beat of a local trash band performing on stage.
Despite being the first competition of its kind, competitors from all corners of the globe entered with knitters flying in from Denmark, Japan, Russia, the U.K and the U.S.
This year, Giga Body Metal’s sumo and kabuki knitting sideshow from Japan won first place. Denmark’s Knitting With Ellen scored second and third went to America’s 9” Needles. Check out some of the competition highlights below.
“Knitting is such a meditative activity, but now it’s energetic and it’s heart-pumping,” competitor Heather McLaren told the Associated Press. “It’s ridiculous, but it’s so much fun.”
The Heavy Metal Knitting Facebook page outlines what the new competition is all about: “In heavy metal knitting, needlework and music become united like never before. On the same stage, accompanied by a million-dollar guitar solo, with hair flowing in the air, there’s heavy metal music and knitting, shaking hands."
"Knitting to the rhythm of heavy metal music can be compared to playing air guitar — which is a Finnish way to goof around as well. In heavy metal knitting, the knitter becomes a part of the band, showing their best needlework tricks as the heavy riffs echo on the background. The knitter takes part in the jam while their balls of yarn and knitting needles swish through the air."
So if you're keen on a metal yarn, keep an eye out as plans are already underway for next year's event.
Only in Finland.
