Champion diver Tom Daley won his first gold medal in the 2021 Olympics. During the games, he shared on instagram that knitting helped him win by keeping him calm and relaxed. The power of knitting knows no end (and if you don't believe us have a read of our why crafting is good for your mental health article)!
I don’t normally post things that are not necessarily knitting related on my ‘made with love’ page, but myself and Matty won the Olympics yesterday, and I thought I’d come on and just say the one thing that has kept me sane throughout this whole process is my love for knitting, crochet, and all things stitching. So I want to say thank you to all my followers on here too much for actually following along.
Tom Daley
Tom created a super sweet GB-inspired knitted pouch to store his medal in and we wanted to recreate Tom's iconic knitted pouch for all our Gathered makers to knit their own version. So we asked expert knitter Sophie from Simply Knitting magazine to design us our own but with a little twist. Ours will probably store chocolate coins rather than medals but no one needs to know that right? Click this link to jump straight to the knitted pouch pattern. Head to the knitted pouch pattern
But that post was just the beginning of Tom Daley's knitting patterns! Because the talented Tom Daley has taken the next step and launched his own knitting and crochet kit collection! Packed with chunky designs, and a touch of flamingo fancy, you’ll find many filled with the fun and exuberance we associate with this new knit designer. You can choose from jumpers, cardigans, tank tops, accessories and toy flamingos, with kits for beginners and experts and a few crochet options too. The team at Simply Knitting magazine had the incredible treat of chatting to Tom about this, and we're sharing an exert of that interview here. You can read the complete interview in Simply Knitting 221.
What made you pick up knitting (we’re so thrilled that you did!) and when did your passion begin?
I learned to knit in March 2020 just before the first lockdown as a way of slowing down and allowing my body to recover from training, as usually I’m someone that is always on the go!
You’ve learnt incredibly quickly, and your self-design work is super-impressive. How do you approach a new designing project?
I like to draw what I want to make first and then not worry if I make mistakes or if there are imperfections in what I make, because those imperfections are what makes each hand-made piece unique. I love how when I start making something I can change and adapt it as I go, as sometimes I get inspired by something else once I have started.
Do you have a particular yarn you love to knit with, or a certain project you love to make?
I do like to use Merino wool as it is super soft and especially the chunky kind that I have in my Made With Love collection. It’s nice in the winter to knit something chunky quickly. But I do love a glitter yarn too!
You’ve designed your own range, which is a phenomenal achievement! What’s next for Tom Daley on the knitting front?
I am constantly knitting and designing new things. I am hoping to branch out into crochet more too. I am really excited about where it all can go!
Like the look of this brilliant flamingo jumper? Us too! Take a look at all of Tom Daley's knitting patterns by clicking the link to visit his site and see what other crafty creations he has come up with!
Knitted pouch inspired by Tom Daley
Sophie has designed this knitted pouch so you can show your support for our awesome team GB athletes. Sophie's version has a handy little strap so you can wear it as a bag and has a little heart on the back for extra cuteness. You don't have to be an Olympic knitter to make this pattern either. Head over to our knitting for beginners guide and our yarn weight conversion chart to pick up all the basic knitting techniques you'll need to make this knitted pouch.
You will need:
- DK yarn from your stash, approx 50-75g each of white, red, blue DK yarn (yarn is knitted held double throughout)
- A pair of 5mm needles
- Two 7mm DPNs (double-pointed needles)
- Lining fabric, 20x30cm
- White sewing thread
- Sewing needle and pins
- Iron
Abbreviations
If you're from the USA check out our knitting abbreviations chart.
Measurements
17x13cm, not including strap
Note: Except for the strap, yarn is held double and the bag is knitted in stocking stitch throughout.
Using the charts
Start from the bottom right-hand corner. Read right-side rows from right to left and wrong side rows from left to right. A row of squares represents a row of knitting.
Colourwork
The Union Jack Chart is knitted in Fair Isle even when the floats at the back of the work span more than 7 stitches. If floats span more than 7 stitches it is recommended that the yarn being carried is wrapped around the working yarn at 7-stitch intervals. Alternatively, the Union Jack can be knitted using Fair Isle plus the intarsia method for the white borders at each edge.
