Olympic diver Tom Daley has swapped the diving board for knitting needles, launching a new range of craft kits aimed at encouraging people to take up knitting and crochet. The 31-year-old, who retired from diving last year after a career that included Olympic, World, European, Commonwealth, and British medals, has teamed up with Hobbycraft to create the 'Made With Love by Tom Daley' kits.
Daley, who was famously spotted knitting in the stands at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics where he won gold in the men's synchronised 10-metre platform event, hopes to capitalise on the 'Daley effect' that saw a surge in crafting interest. 'All the time I spent when I was diving is now being spent on Made with Love,' he said. 'I feel very lucky to have found a second passion in life.'
Now living in Los Angeles with his husband, Oscar-winning filmmaker Dustin Lance Black, and their two sons, Daley admitted the shift from elite athlete to crafting icon feels surreal. 'When I was diving, if anybody had said I'd probably be more known for knitting than diving at this point, I'd say it was kind of crazy,' he confessed. 'The whole thing still seems slightly absurd.'
Daley, who started knitting just before lockdown, said the hobby has been beneficial for his mental health. 'I got into knitting and crochet mainly because it was a great way for my mental health to be in the moment, be present and be mindful,' he explained. He now dedicates at least an hour a day to knitting and has also hosted Channel 4's new show, Game Of Wool, which seeks to find Britain's best knitter.
Daley is keen to challenge the perception of crafting as an older person's hobby, aiming to attract a younger generation with fun colours and unique patterns. 'I want to try and reach a younger audience,' he said. He also envisions knitting being taught in schools, calling it 'a great tool to be able to unwind and be mindful and as a form of meditation.'
