Get the knitting bug with Tom Daley

The most surprising newsflash from the Tokyo Olympics last summer wasn’t diver Tom Daley earning his first gold medal, but his deftness with a knitting needle.

The pictures of Daley knitting poolside – whipping up marvellous creations, including a dog sweater and an oversized cardigan emblazoned with Team GB – captivated audiences around the globe. His knitting account @MadeWithLoveByTomDaley attracted over a million followers in two weeks, snowballing in what is arguably one of the most unexpected but endearing celebrity diversifications to date: Made With Love by Tom Daley, which John Lewis & Partners is proud to be stocking.

A total of 14 kits, conceived by Daley in his signature colourful and upbeat style, are intended to inspire people to do exactly what he did in lockdown: pick up a pair of needles and knit their own piece, whether that’s a bobble hat or a giant blanket. Each set comes with everything needed to pull off a Daley-esque creation, from the Merino wool yarns to the needles. And instructions, of course.

Daley took up the hobby when pool closures meant he was unable to practise his sport. His mother taught him the basics and he followed YouTube tutorials to master the craft. He shared his rainbow-striped tea cosies and the playful jumpers knitted for his toddler son Robbie on Instagram. But it wasn’t until he was captured in-between Olympic dives, mask on and yarns in hand, that his new hobby went viral.

Daley has previously said the act of knitting is his form of self-care, and he's not alone in finding mindfulness in making: knitting has surged in popularity as sales are up 32% in comparison to the same time last year. So take up a project and get the bug...