Knitting in Film and Television Awards (KNIFTAs)

Inspired by an episode of US television series 30 Rock, and the shameful use of crochet passed off as knitting, we have launched our very own awards for knitting, crochet and needlecraft in film and television. You can read our original blogpost here, which has now developed into the first poll of it's kind. Vote now for your favourites and look out for the winners to be announced at I Knit Day in September 2008.

The KNIFTAs are a light-hearted look at how knitting and crochet are represented in mainstream cinema and television, and how yarncraft is perceived, perpetuated and promoted through the media. Our first awards cover five categories (below) and we need your nominations!

You can send your nominations to us at info@iknit.org.uk, or post in our Ravelry group, where you'll also be able to discuss nominations with other crafty folk. We've listed some of the nominations we've received so far, below, but there's still time to send your favourites in for consideration.

There are five categories in this year's inaugural awards - you can nominate entries in four of these, with the Outstanding Contribution to Knitting in Film and Television being decided by the I Knit fellowship (!).

Things to bear in mind before nominating - all nominations must have screened on UK or US television, or been shown in UK/US cinemas in the last 18 months. See below for more info on each category and then get your suggestions in! For inspiration, have a look at our own list of knitty films from the past here.

Funniest knitting/crochet scene

Whether it's Jack McBrayer trying to pass crochet off as knitting in 30Rock (left), a scene with an actor trying hard to convince us they are knitting but clearly aren't, or just an excerpt showing knitting in a stereotypical or just plain bonkers light, they are all suitable for the funniest knitting scene. Nominations so far include: Holby City, Gavin & Stacey and the Bosnian Eurovision Song Contest entry!

Best knitting/crochet scene

As it sounds - nominate your films and TV shows that have included a classic knitting/crochet scene; an actor who clearly has a grasp of what they are are doing; a scene that had you sitting up on the sofa screaming "they're knitting!"

Nominations include Pushing Daisies (left) , Men in Trees and Brothers and Sisters...any more you've seen? Send 'em in!

Best knitwear

Aha! A proper award I hear you cry...yes, nominate for your favourite costume designer who has employed knitwear in their work over the last 18 months. There's been some gorgeous knitwear on screen this year, from Lyra's much-coveted accessories in The Golden Compass to glamorous twinsets and cardies in Mad Men. Even a blink-and-you'll miss it knitted prop in No Country For Old Men has been nominated so far...

Best advertisement

With knitting on the rise those busy beavers at marketing and PR companies across the world have been jumping on the knitty bandwagon and using yarn in all sorts of ways to sell their products. Most of these, in our opinion, have been funny, but predictable...but do have a favourite? If you've seen a TV commercial featuring knitting or crochet then let us know. Nominations so far include the much-maligned Shreddies ad and my favourite, Staples...

Outstanding Contribution to Knitting in Film and Television

This special award will be decided by an expert panel here at I Knit. You can't nominate for this category, but we'll be sure to award the first ever KNIFTA Oustanding Contribution Award to a well-deserving recipient.