There was a time when many people considered crocheting and knitting to be activities for the elderly. But nowadays, such crafts are picking up speed among people of all ages and backgrounds, from grandmothers in their homes to professional sportsmen (just look at Tom Daley’s knitwear) and aspiring medical professionals (yes, I am referring to Jonah Larson), just to name a few examples.
While the aforementioned names are just two out of millions, if not billions, of people who have mastered the crochet hook or knitting needles, they are undoubtedly noteworthy mentions in the world of yarn-based crafts.
The first one, Tom Daley, is likely a name many are familiar with, but mostly for his achievements in diving. Fewer people know, however, that he is extremely talented in a completely different field, too, and that is knitting.
Though some might not know about his talent, he doesn’t keep it a secret. Back in 2021, during the Tokyo Olympics, Tom was seen knitting away in the stands. The same thing happened during the Games in Paris in 2024, which resulted in a handknitted Paris Games-themed sweater. How cool is that?
Daley doesn’t only knit for himself or his loved ones. NPR reports that he sells the items that he makes to raise money for charity, and even has a social media channel dedicated to the art of knitting and his works. According to the aforementioned source, said art has become his way of "finding calm, mindfulness and [it] relieves stress."
The second well-known name in the yarn world is that of a teenage crocheting prodigy whose works went viral online more than half a decade ago. Back then, he was just eleven years old, blowing people’s minds with his skills and positive attitude. And it will come as no surprise that he still does to this day.
Last year, Bored Panda had the chance to talk to Jonah about his passion for crocheting. Asked about what changed the most during the five years, he pointed out that his works have become more sophisticated.
“It has now become an art form for me as I have taken it to a new level,” he said. “I have developed my own style and started designing my own pieces. I really enjoy creating new designs and have found a niche in crocheting items for men.”
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Over the years, Jonah has not only created a vast collection of beautiful pieces but also worked on a number of important projects, the most memorable of which he discussed with Bored Panda.
“My most memorable moments are those with Drew Barrymore, Melissa McCarthy, Kelly Clarkson, and my travels around the world, such as to Brazil, to see the process of making cotton yarn. But the best is giving back to my country of Ethiopia,” the crochet prodigy shared.
“My philanthropy work means everything to me. I have built the kids in my home country a library complete with books and a librarian, a fully equipped science lab, 90 desks, a girls' latrine, and a soccer team, and now I’ve moved on to remodeling the high school I would have attended had I still lived there. I hope to visit one day soon.”
Clearly, crocheting takes time and patience. I’m sure Tom, Jonah, and the creators of pieces on today’s list can attest to that. But studies suggest that engaging in such an activity can have a positive impact on the crochet master, as it promotes personal well-being. What also makes this activity great is that it only calls for a crochet hook and some yarn (well, time and patience, too), and it is beginner-friendly – if you’re picking up the crochet hook for the first time, just look for easier patterns and I’m sure you’ll master it in no time.
