12 Surprising Celebrities Who Knit: Their Secret Projects Revealed

Knitting isn’t just your grandmother’s hobby anymore. Many Hollywood stars have been spotted with needles and yarn between takes.

These celebrities who knit are nowhere near as rare as you might think.

These famous knitters do more than just pass the time with their craft. They create amazing projects, and some have started their knitting businesses.

The craft has attracted everyone from Olympic champions to Academy Award winners. They’re shattering old stereotypes about who can pick up needles and yarn.

Let me share 12 surprising stars who have become skilled at knitting. Their projects will blow your mind.

Tom Daley knits by the pool during the Olympics, and Ryan Gosling keeps a secret stash of yarn. These crafty celebrities’ stories will amaze you.

Tom Daley: From Olympic Diver to Knitwear Designer

Tom Daley first picked up his knitting needles in March 2020. This simple hobby grew into something extraordinary.

The Olympic diving legend has become one of our generation’s most influential male celebrities who knit.

The world watched as Daley knitted in the stands during the Tokyo Olympics. “One thing that has kept me sane throughout this whole process is my love for knitting and crochet and all things stitching,” he explained.

He found peace and mindfulness between competitive dives through this craft.

Tom Daley’s Knitting Journey

The sort of thing I love about Daley’s story is his modest start – a scarf for his mother on Mother’s Day.

His skills multiplied as he created more complex designs. “I love making clothes,” Daley shares. “There’s something really special to me about making and designing something completely new”.

Tom Daley’s Made With Love Brand

Daley’s viral knitting moments led to the launch of Made with Love By Tom Daley. The brand now includes:

• Knitting kits for various skill levels
• A dedicated podcast featuring inspirational people
• Collaborations with major yarn manufacturers

Tom Daley’s Notable Knitting Projects

Daley’s most ambitious creation appeared at the Paris Olympics – a custom sweater with the Eiffel Tower, the Paris 2024 logo, and his initials ‘TD’ on one sleeve.

The number 5 on the sweater marked his fifth Olympics appearance. His previous Olympic masterpiece featured a white cardigan with the Team GB logo and Olympic rings, showing his growing mastery of the craft.

“Knitting is an important part of my life and it’s what calms me,” Daley explains. His public embrace of knitting has helped break down stereotypes about who can enjoy this craft.

Michelle Obama’s Pandemic Knitting Adventures

Celebrity knitters who found this craft during lockdown include former First Lady Michelle Obama; her experience is the sort of thing I love.

A simple purchase of yarn and needles became her profound source of comfort in uncertain times.

Michelle Obama’s Knitting Story

Mrs. Obama turned to YouTube tutorials and how-to books to learn simple techniques, just like many of us who looked for new hobbies during quarantine.

“Every time I tell people how much I love to knit, they seem so surprised!” she shared. She also found that knitting ran deep in her family’s DNA, as every woman knew how to work with needle and thread.

Michelle Obama’s Favorite Projects

Her impressive handmade collection has:

• A crewneck sweater for Barack Obama
• Halter tops for daughters Malia and Sasha
• An itty-bitty green hat for a baby shower
• Multiple scarves and blankets

Michelle Obama’s Knitting Effect

Knitting became her anchor during challenging times and helped her manage what she describes as “low-grade depression” during the pandemic. “For me, knitting is a release,” she explained. “It lets my hands lead the way as my mind trails behind.”

Notwithstanding that, her story becomes more intriguing with her secret participation in the online knitting community.

She connects with other knitters under an assumed name to seek patterns and guidance. This hobby has changed into what she calls “a forever proposition.” She notes that “you don’t master knitting, because once you make a scarf, there’s the blanket. And once you do the blanket, you’ve got to do the hat, the socks”.

Meryl Streep’s On-Set Knitting Rituals

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Among celebrity knitters, Meryl Streep stands out with her unique way of blending craft and career. Many stars knit between takes, but Streep has made this hobby an essential part of her acting process.

Meryl Streep’s Knitting History

The sort of thing I love about Streep’s story is how she managed to keep this craft throughout her career.

She picked up knitting as a young girl and never stopped. She loves sharing her passion with others and taught Amy Adams while filming “Doubt.”

Meryl Streep’s Famous Set Projects

Streep doesn’t stick to simple projects – she creates pieces that become part of her performances. Her notable creations have:

• A self-knitted shawl worn in “Doubt”
• Various sweaters featured in “Plenty.”
• Multiple projects she completed between scenes on film sets

Meryl Streep’s Knitting Philosophy

Streep’s relationship with knitting runs deeper than just a hobby. “For me it was a place to gather my thoughts and understand the contemplative life,” she explained while working on “Doubt.”

She prefers quiet evenings with her knitting needles to glamorous Hollywood events. This craft keeps her grounded.

Knitting gives Streep a creative outlet when busy with intense acting roles. “I’m a very frugal person,” she notes, showing how this practical skill matches her values.

Her dedication shows how knitting can serve as meditation and a tool to develop character.

Katherine Heigl’s Knitting Blog Empire

The celebrity knitting world has many stars, but Katherine Heigl’s story stands out. She transformed her hobby into a digital empire with her blog “Heavenly Days.”

The Grey’s Anatomy star blends Hollywood glamour with handicraft skills as she shares her creative work.

Katherine Heigl’s Knitting Trip

Katherine picked up her first knitting needles at 19, learning from a Martha Stewart magazine tutorial. She wanted to make a scarf for her 6’4″ father.

Her first project came with challenges, but she stayed determined. She took classes to learn the simple techniques and hasn’t stopped knitting since.

Katherine Heigl’s Blog Projects

Her blog now displays several impressive creations:

• The Azel Pullover in tomato red for her daughter Naleigh
• A Boneyard Shawl by Stephen West for her mother
• The Drop Stitch Cowl in Baby Alpaca Grande Hues

Katherine Heigl’s Favorite Patterns

“My favorite knitting projects are usually the ones that call for chunky yarn, big needles and knit up in an afternoon of marathon knitting and TV binge watching,” she explains. The sort of things she loves include:

• Alpaca yarn for its cozy softness
• Hand-dyed yarns with variegated colors
• Quick-knit patterns that she can finish in one sitting

Her blog’s authenticity makes it unique. Most celebrity blogs have huge teams behind them, but Katherine writes and manages everything herself.

Her knitting passion has grown beyond blogging – she’s now developing “The Knitting Circle” for HBO, where she’ll produce and star.

She shares detailed posts about her current projects, which are a great way to get inspiration and practical advice.

“I love that I can take a pattern and make it my own by what yarns and colors I choose,” she says, showing how the craft lets her express herself creatively.

Krysten Ritter: The Knitting Superhero

Beneath Marvel’s Jessica Jones’s tough exterior, I found Krysten Ritter has a remarkably gentle passion.

Her experience, from mastering simple stitches to becoming a design collaborator, shows how knitting exceeds stereotypes.

Krysten Ritter’s Knitting Background

She learned her first stitches from her grandmother during childhood. The set of “Mona Lisa Smile” truly sparked her passion.

Julia Roberts’s influence on the set reignited Ritter’s interest in the craft. “It was before cell phones, therefore that’s what all the actresses were doing on set,” she recalls.

Krysten Ritter’s Design Projects

Ritter’s growing expertise has led to an impressive portfolio:

• An Infinity Scarf collection with We Are Knitters
• The Go-To Sweater pattern in multiple sizes
• Seven “pussyhats” for the Women’s March on Washington

Krysten Ritter’s Knitting Influence

Ritter has made knitting an essential part of her professional routine. “Knitting is part of my self-care routine and striking a balance – especially when I’m on a hectic shooting schedule,” she explains.

Her Instagram feed showcases her latest creations regularly.

She stands out among other celebrity knitters because she improvises patterns. “I love to modify patterns to make stuff that I would want to wear,” she shares. Through collaboration with We Are Knitters, she helps create projects that are available to knitters of all skill levels.

Ryan Gosling’s Secret Knitting Passion

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A Hollywood heartthrob with knitting needles might seem unlikely, yet this is one of the most remarkable stories about male celebrities who knit.

The tale began on the set of “Lars and the Real Girl” in 2007, where an unexpected hobby took root.

Ryan Gosling’s Knitting Discovery

A simple film scene turned into a genuine passion.

“I did this scene where I was in a room full of old ladies who were knitting, and it was an all-day scene, so they showed me how,”

Gosling revealed in GQ Australia. He later described it as “one of the most relaxing days of my life.”

Ryan Gosling’s Project Types

Gosling mainly creates:

• Scarves (albeit self-described as “oddly shaped”)
• Simple knitted presents for others
• Relaxation-focused projects

“You get something out of it at the end. You get a nice present. For someone who wants an oddly shaped, off-putting scarf,” he shared with his characteristic humor.

Ryan Gosling’s Knitting Impact

Among celebrity knitters, Gosling’s honest approach to knitting stands out remarkably.

His perfect day would involve nothing more than sitting with needles and yarn. His openness about this hobby has changed public perception, making him an unexpected ambassador for the craft.

The sort of thing I love about Gosling’s knitting experience is its authenticity.

He speaks about it with genuine enthusiasm and self-deprecating humor instead of presenting it as a calculated hobby.

“If I had to design my perfect day, that would be it,” he admitted, showing how this simple activity brings him true joy.

Julia Roberts’ Between-Takes Knitting

Julia Roberts started her knitting hobby on a movie set 30 years ago. The Pretty Woman star has turned this craft into a lifelong passion.

Julia Roberts’ Knitting Story

Roberts has a fun way to track time on set with her knitting. “We called it our lonely meters: ‘How lonely were you last night?’ And we’d pull out this much knitting”.

She sees knitting as more than just a solo activity. “It’s a very social hobby, as opposed to reading—I can chat with people and still be fully engaged.”

Julia Roberts’ On-Set Projects

Knitting has become a natural part of Roberts’ professional life. Her knitting shows up everywhere:

• She works on projects between takes
• Her needles come along to movie premieres
• She knits during interviews

Julia Roberts’ Knitting Style

Roberts’ skills have grown over the last several years. In a recent interview, she talked with Jane Pauley and showed her technical knowledge by pointing out details like “tight stitches” in others’ work.

Knitting is her “full-time job” when she’s not acting, though she jokes that “it isn’t rainbows and kittens every day.”

Roberts’ ability to keep this passion while managing her Hollywood career stands out. “When I’m not working, that is my full-time job… it brings me a lot of joy”.

Her story proves that celebrity knitters can balance stardom with personal interests.

David Arquette’s Charitable Knitting

David Arquette’s story stands out as the sort of thing I love among male celebrities who knit. He learned this craft from his grandmother, which became a lifelong love for knitting.

David Arquette’s Knitting Mission

We started seeing Arquette pick up knitting to manage stress and practice mindfulness. His steadfast dedication to the craft landed him on the cover of “Celebrity Scarves 2: Hollywood Knits for Breast Cancer Research”.

David Arquette’s Charity Projects

His charitable work includes:

• Creating scarves for homeless shelters
• Contributing to breast cancer research initiatives
• Taking part in knitting-focused fundraising events

Arquette’s commitment to using his craft for social good makes him special. He even participated in a friendly knitting battle with Julia Roberts on The Ellen DeGeneres Show to spotlight charitable knitting causes.

David Arquette’s Community Impact

Arquette’s influence now reaches far beyond his charitable work. He shares his creations on social media regularly and helps make knitting more acceptable as a hobby for men.

His enthusiasm shows that knitting has no gender boundaries – it’s a craft anyone can enjoy.

His openness about knitting has inspired many others to try the craft themselves. He’s also skilled at crochet, which shows how versatile he is in fiber arts.

Russell Crowe’s Focus-Finding Knits

Russell Crowe, Hollywood’s renowned tough guy, found peace in the gentle art of knitting. This surprising revelation among celebrity knitters shows how this craft surpasses stereotypes and personalities.

Russell Crowe’s Knitting Experience

The Oscar-winning actor started knitting to manage his anger. The star of “Gladiator” needed peace and focus, which led him to this unexpected hobby.

Russell Crowe’s Project Types

The actor knits between takes on movie sets and uses the craft during long waiting periods. His commitment goes beyond just passing time – knitting has become his serious pursuit for mental well-being.

Russell Crowe’s Knitting Benefits

Knitting provides Crowe with several benefits:

• A grounding effect during intense film projects
• Mental breaks between demanding scenes
• Improved focus and concentration
• Stress management techniques

The sort of thing I love about Crowe’s relationship with knitting is its multiple roles in his life. This craft became his tool to stay balanced in Hollywood’s high-pressure environment.

His story shows that knitting is a practical skill and a powerful way to regulate emotions.

This traditionally gentle craft has become an effective tool for someone often typecast in intense, dramatic roles. Crowe’s acceptance of knitting has made him an unexpected ambassador for breaking down gender stereotypes in crafting, proving that this meditative practice benefits everyone.

Dakota Fanning’s Mindful Knitting Practice

Among all celebrity knitters, Dakota Fanning’s story stands out because she started crafting when she was just seven years old. This early start differentiates her from other stars who found knitting later in life.

Dakota Fanning’s Knitting Story

The most fascinating part of Fanning’s experience is how she managed to keep this passion while acting. She spends her downtime on set making cozy scarves for Hollywood’s biggest stars.

“I learned to knit at a young age, so I give knitted gifts to directors on my sets and dear friends”.

Dakota Fanning’s Favorite Projects

Her impressive list of gift recipients has:

• Tom Cruise and Denzel Washington
• Robert De Niro and Cherie Currie
• Steven Spielberg and Oprah
• Daniel Bruhl and Andrew Scott

She boosted her output during “The Alienist” filming and created 17 garments. “I can knit very quickly!” she explains.

Dakota Fanning’s Knitting Philosophy

The sort of thing I love about Fanning’s approach is how she uses knitting to stay grounded. This craft helps her relax and stay present despite her busy schedule.

Her approach aligns with knitting’s stress-reducing benefits, as the repetitive motions help people relax and feel less anxious.

Fanning’s connection to knitting runs deeper than just a hobby. Her warmth and dedication show through her thoughtful gestures like when she spent a whole year making a special gift for Denzel Washington’s wife.

These acts of kindness show how knitting can build authentic connections in an industry that people often call superficial.

Jeanne Tripplehorn’s Knitting Masterclass

My time learning about celebrity knitters led me to Jeanne Tripplehorn’s uniquely honest voice.

She playfully calls herself a “15-time beginner knitter”. Her path from Hollywood star to knitting instructor gives us a fresh view of learning this timeless craft.

Jeanne Tripplehorn’s Knitting Development

Tripplehorn’s story stands out because of her candid approach to every knitter’s challenges. “I can’t fix my own mistakes. It’s so frustrating!” she admits.

Like her acting career, where persistence led to success, her knitting experience shows why embracing imperfection matters.

Jeanne Tripplehorn’s Teaching Style

Tripplehorn’s KnitStars Masterclass in Season 7 focuses on key areas:

• Overcoming common roadblocks
• Understanding yarn selection
• Mastering gauge mysteries
• Building confidence for sweater projects

Jeanne Tripplehorn’s Expert Tips

Tripplehorn’s teaching highlights the value of community support. “These ‘basic’ things took me years to learn, bit by bit, like wandering around in a fog,” she reflects. She celebrates every small win, from:

• First cast-on attempts
• Adding decorative fringe
• Mastering binding-off techniques
• Perfecting end-weaving skills

The sort of thing I love is how she turned her challenges into teaching moments.

Her masterclass goes beyond just teaching knitting – it builds confidence through shared experiences.

“Even though some of the classes were way above my level – I could still dream,” she shares, showing how determination can turn challenges into achievements.

Siobhan McSweeney’s Crafty Creations

Celebrity knitters fascinate me, and Siobhan McSweeney’s creative approach to crafting stands out. Her talents reach way beyond her famous role in Derry Girls.

Siobhan McSweeney’s Knitting Journey

We watched McSweeney naturally blend her crafting passion with her acting career.

She hosts The Great Pottery Throw Down and couldn’t help but get involved with the creative process.

“I kept annoying people by wandering into shots and trying to have a go”.

Siobhan McSweeney’s Project Portfolio

Her creative work shines through:

• A special crafting area named “pottery day care”
• Screen-printed cotton fabric projects
• Custom-designed sewing patterns

Siobhan McSweeney’s Creative Process

The switch from acting to presenting craft shows proved challenging for McSweeney. “When you act you have another persona but it’s hard to know how to be yourself”.

She found her authentic voice and noted, “It is such a genuine experience, everyone is so passionate and it’s really sweet and emotional.”

McSweeney’s approach to learning with her audience makes her unique. “I easily learnt 12 potters’ names, because I spoke to them all.

I’ve learnt about where they came from, their families, why they’re doing the show”. She accepts the messy parts of creativity with joy and often wears a towel over her clothes while crafting – “It’s like the infants’ table at nursery but I love it”.

Her crafting influence has sparked a special tribute. Fans can now create their own Siobhan McSweeney doll that stands about 27cm high. This project shows how her impact reaches beyond TV into hands-on crafting.

Comparison Table

Conclusion

My exploration of celebrity knitters has uncovered fascinating links between Hollywood glamour and this timeless craft.

These 12 amazing stories show how knitting surpasses stereotypes and serves different purposes for each star. Tom Daley uses it to calm his Olympic nerves, and Michelle Obama found comfort in it during the pandemic.

The craft knows no gender boundaries. Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe are avid knitters, and Katherine Heigl and Krysten Ritter turned this hobby into thriving businesses.

Their experiences show knitting’s dual role as a mindful practice and creative outlet.

Many stars channel their knitting passion toward good causes. David Arquette knits regularly for homeless shelters, and Dakota Fanning creates thoughtful handmade gifts. These acts build meaningful connections beyond their celebrity status.

I’ve learned that creativity has no limits through these stories. Stars pick up their needles poolside at the Olympics or between movie takes.

Knitting gives everyone – celebrities and fans alike – a chance to slow down and create something meaningful. Some people even end up finding an unexpected passion.

FAQs

Q1. Which celebrities are known for their knitting skills? 

Several celebrities are avid knitters, including Tom Daley, Michelle Obama, Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, and Ryan Gosling. Many use knitting to relax between takes on set or as a mindfulness practice.

Q2. How has knitting impacted some celebrities’ lives? 

For many celebrities, knitting has become more than just a hobby. Tom Daley launched his own knitwear brand, Michelle Obama found solace in knitting during the pandemic, and Meryl Streep uses knitting to help develop her characters. It provides stress relief and a creative outlet for many.

Q3. Are there any male celebrities who knit? 

Yes, several male celebrities enjoy knitting. Ryan Gosling learned on a movie set and finds it relaxing. David Arquette knits for charitable causes, and Russell Crowe uses knitting to manage stress and improve focus between scenes.

Q4. How do some actors incorporate knitting into their work? 

Some actors, like Julia Roberts and Meryl Streep, knit between takes on set to stay focused.

Others, such as Krysten Ritter, have collaborated on knitting projects or launched their own knitting-related ventures. Some even knit items that become part of their costumes or props.

Q5. Has knitting helped break stereotypes in Hollywood? 

Absolutely. The diverse range of celebrities who knit, from action stars to comedians, has helped challenge the notion that knitting is only for specific demographics.

It’s shown that knitting can be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of age, gender, or profession.