Video footage from the first-ever heavy metal knitting championship, which was held this past Thursday, July 11 in Joensuu, Finland, can be seen below.

12 groups took part in the event, with finalists coming from Denmark, Finland, Japan, Latvia, Russia, Sweden, the U.K. and the U.S.

The winner of the competition was Japan's GIGA BODY METAL. Second place went to CRAFTS WITH ELLEN from Denmark, while 9" NEEDLES from the USA placed third.

Performances were rated by a jury according to their attitude, performing skills, how they captured their audience and by "Heavyknittinghood."

To enter the competition, knitters were asked to download the song "Fight Or Die" by Joensuu thrash metal band MANIAC ABDUCTOR, then upload a one-minute video clip of themselves knitting along with the music to YouTube.

Finland is the promised land of heavy metal music. There are 50 heavy metal bands per 100,000 Finnish citizens, which is astonishingly many and actually more than anywhere else in the whole world. The number of needlework enthusiasts is equally high, as, according to even the most modest estimates, there are hundreds of thousands of people in Finland who are immersed various kinds of needlework crafts, knitting included. What combines them both is the great joy of creativity. When playing guitar as well as knitting stitches it is all about the pleasure of creating something cool with your hands. And — it's all about the attitude!

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...

Photo courtesy of Heavy Metal Knitting Facebook page