Canada Takes Back Title

June 22, 2007 - It was a tough and bruising encounter that finally led to a Canadian victory in the 9th Back to Back Wool Challenge.

The ambitious challenge is for a team of spinners and knitters to convert a raw blade-shorn fleece into a jumper in the shortest time.

The winning time set by the Toronto Spiders of Ontario, Canada, this year was six hours and 18 seconds. The second place team finished just 10 minutes later.

There were 15 teams from Canada, Japan and Australia set to compete in this years' event.

"It is called a wool challenge because it is a bit like a marathon," comments one participant. "If you are statistically inclined, according to my calculations, each of the front and back knitters completed 15,924 stitches in six hours, allowing five minutes from when the shearer started until enough wool was spun for them to start casting on and five minutes at the end for stitching up the jumper and time for our referee to count stitches and rows. "
Reprinted in part from North Queensland Register, Australia

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