The world's fastest knitter

On your mark…get set…KNIT! How fast can you knit?

In 2004, Hazel Tindall, a 55 year-old school administrator from Scotland, was declared the “World’s Fastest Knitter.” She achieved this distinction in 2004 at the Knitting and Stitching Show held in London at the Alexandra Palace. In 3 minutes she knit 255 stitches.

August 2006, however, Miriam Tegels from the Netherlands achieved a speed of 118 stitches in one minute. The Guinness Book of World Records declared Miriam to be the fastest knitter.

While Miriam’s speed might appear to be quicker  – 118 stitches per minute times 3 would be 354 stitches in three minutes – it’s like comparing apples to oranges. Sprinting speed achieved in a minute may not be possible when continued for 3 minutes.

At the 2008 International World Speed Knitting Championships in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the two women faced each other with their needles at the ready. Hazel Tindall won with a speed of 262 stitches, Miriam Tegels’ best time was 243. Although Hazel triumphed in this particular competition, Miriam still retains the title of “Fastest Knitter” in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Current challenges involving knitting for Guinness World Records include the world's biggest cardigan, the most number of people knitting simultaneously, the world's longest scarf, and knitting with the world's largest knitting needles.