Purl jam: Finland hosts heavy metal knitting championship

Last edited Sat Jul 13, 2019, 06:05 AM - Edit history (1)

David Keyton, Associated Press
Updated 7:12 am CDT, Friday, July 12, 2019

JOENSUU, Finland (AP) — Armed with needles and a yarn of wool, teams of avid knitters danced Thursday to the deafening sounds of drums beating and guitars slashing at the first-ever Heavy Metal Knitting World Championship in eastern Finland.

With stage names such as Woolfumes, Bunny Bandit and 9" Needles, the participants shared a simple goal: to showcase their knitting skills while dancing to heavy metal music in the most outlandish way possible.

"It's ridiculous but it's so much fun," said Heather McLaren, an engineering PhD student who traveled from Scotland for a shot at the "world title." ''When I saw there was a combination of heavy metal and knitting, I thought 'that's my niche.'"



Photo: David Keyton, AP
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The competitors of the first Heavy Metal Knitting world championship react on stage, Thursday, July 11, 2019 in Joensuu, Finland. With stage names such as 'Woolfumes,' 'Bunny Bandit' and '9" Needles,' the goal was quite simple: to showcase their knitting skills whilst dancing to heavy metal music in the most outlandish way possible.

The competition took place in a packed square in the small town of Joensuu close to the Russian border. An eclectic group of around 200 people watched the performances, from families with young children and elderly to the less conspicuous heavy metal fans donning leather-jackets and swirling their long hair to the fast-paced rhythm of the music.

More:
https://www.chron.com/living/article/Purl-jam-Finland-hosts-heavy-metal-knitting-14088963.php