British Olympic champion Tom Daley became globally known for more than just his diving talent – his knitting needles have earned nearly as much attention as his gold medals. Since taking up knitting in 2020, Daley transformed what began as a mindfulness practice into a creative outlet, fashion line, charity project, and now, an exhibition-worthy craft. Here are some of Daley’s best knitting moments, as he combined sport, style and self-expression through yarn:
1. The Paris 2024 Olympics Sweater Reveal
Just five days into the 2024 Paris Games, Daley unveiled his latest Olympic-inspired creation: a hand-knitted blue sweater embroidered with “Paris 24,” the Union Jack, the French flag, and his last name. He added thoughtful details including a “TD” monogram on one sleeve and the number five on the other to represent his fifth Olympic appearance. Fans flooded his Instagram with praise, applauding the intricacy and sentiment behind the piece.
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2. Going Viral in Tokyo
Daley became a global sensation during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics (held in 2021) when cameras captured him knitting poolside between dives. The standout project? A white cardigan featuring the Olympic rings and “Team GB” stitched across the back. This unexpected moment of calm amidst competition inspired millions, helping to destigmatize crafting for men and young people.
3. A Sweater for Bretman Rock’s Chicken
In July 2024, Daley gifted social media star Bretman Rock a custom muscle tee sweater featuring Rock’s beloved chicken, Priscilla. The sweater included a 3D beak and captured Priscilla’s signature hairstyle — all hand-stitched. Rock called the sweater one of their “favorite things ever,” while Daley commented, “Priscilla da baddest,” referencing Rock’s podcast DaBaddest Radio.
4. Knitted Medal Cozies
Daley didn’t just craft sweaters — he also made snug, stitched cozies for his Olympic medals. After winning silver with teammate Noah Williams in the synchronized 10m platform event in Paris, he hinted that another cozy was on the way. The practice became symbolic: wrapping hard-earned medals in handmade warmth.
5. Knitting for Charity with “Made With Love”
Daley launched his brand Made With Love by Tom Daley to inspire others to pick up the craft and raise money for charity. One standout project was a rainbow-colored sweater pattern published on LoveCrafts.com, with proceeds supporting The Brain Tumour Charity. He wrote the pattern himself, repurposing leftover yarn and documenting each step for fans.
6. Museum Exhibition in Tokyo
In November 2024, Tokyo’s Parco Museum hosted Made With Love by Tom Daley, showcasing some of the diver’s most iconic knitting projects — including his Olympic sweaters. Daley taught a live knitting class at the opening and shared his journey from beginner to public advocate for crafting. “Knitting is an important part of my life and it’s what calms me,” he told British magazine Prima.
7. A Knitting TV Competition and Woolmark Collaboration
After retiring from professional diving in 2024, Daley signed on to host the UK’s first televised knitting competition and became an ambassador for Woolmark. He helped launch a line of Merino wool knitting kits under Made With Love, describing wool as “the perfect fibre for quality garments and homewares designed to last generations.”
8. The Scarf That Started It All
Daley first learned to knit in March 2020 during a trip to Canada. His initial project – a scarf for his mother made with Rowan Big Wool in her favorite shade of purple – took trial, error, and support from divers and coaches. “It started terribly,” Daley recalled, “but I was so chuffed with the final result. It made me want to keep going.”
9. The Willy Warmers… And of course that time he told us he would make a “willy warmer for everyone.” In a post to Instagram, Daley announced his new line to the world, saying, “So excited to launch the official #MadeWithLoveWillyWarmer.”
From Olympic medals to Merino wool kits, Tom Daley’s knitting journey has proven that creative expression has no limits. Whether crafting cardigans in the stands or giving chickens their couture moment, Daley continues to stitch his way into both sporting and queer cultural history — one sweater at a time.
