“We have been crocheting” — Tom Holland and the new era of men embracing soft, creative pastimes
Tom Daley crocheted a surprise gift for Tom Holland mid-game, and what Holland said next surprised his fans in the best way possible.
When you ask men how they like to relax, many used to say they “hit the gym” or “watch football.” But that’s starting to change now.
During a recent event, “Bero Brewing Padel Classic”, Tom Daley, who wasn’t playing, decided to spend his time crocheting. He made a cozy beer can holder and was excited to surprise Tom Holland with it.
“I just made this crocheted Bero can holder and I’m about to go and surprise Tom Holland with it,” Daley said. He had been sitting on the sidelines while everyone else was playing, focusing on his crocheting.
When Holland saw the can holder, his reaction was genuine and enthusiastic. “No way, you made that today?” he asked. When Daley confirmed he’d made it while Holland was playing, Holland exclaimed, “I love that. And it also is kind of like a spider web.” Then Holland revealed that they have also been crocheting at home. He explained that crocheting is what relaxes him whenever he is tired. “I just find it turns my brain off,” he added.
The video went viral, and the reactions on social media were overwhelmingly positive
Many viewers found the interaction to be incredibly heartwarming. One person commented, “Omg this is the most adorable interaction ever.”
Another person shared their joy, saying, “Just picturing him and Zendaya crocheting at home makes me happy.” The thought of a Marvel superhero coming home after a busy day and relaxing with a crochet hook alongside his partner feels refreshingly relatable, especially in a world where celebrity lives often seem very different from everyday life.
Many people appreciated seeing men take up hobbies like crafting. One person shared, “I love a man who creates and crochets. Impressed if they have a go at experimenting creatively.” It’s still somewhat uncommon for men to openly enjoy crafts, and the fact that Holland spoke about it so casually, without any embarrassment, really resonated with people.
One fan wrote, “They are both the greenest flags ever.” In today’s world, where people often talk about “green flags”, which indicate emotional growth, openness, and good values, two guys bonding over crocheting at a sports event certainly checks all those boxes.
Why crocheting has become a surprising popular hobby for men
For a long time, activities like crocheting, embroidery, and candle-making were seen as things only older people or women did, and they weren’t often talked about openly. But recently, that perception has changed. Gen Z, especially men, have started embracing these crafts without any shame, and online communities around these hobbies have grown tremendously. It’s clear that people truly enjoy these activities, and it’s not just a trend.
The popularity of these hobbies is easy to understand. They let you be hands-on while relaxing your mind. While your hands are busy, your mind can relax, and you get a tangible result at the end, something you’ve created yourself. In a time when much of our lives revolves around screens, the satisfaction of making something with your own hands is especially refreshing. Whether it’s pottery, baking, knitting, or macramé, these activities are gaining new fans because they provide a fulfilling experience that scrolling through social media simply can’t match.
How refreshing, also, that the conversation around who can participate in these hobbies has changed. Men crocheting, embroidering, or baking no longer draw surprised looks as they used to. People are beginning to realize that creativity isn’t limited by gender. What truly matters is that men are finding joy in making things and taking a break from the chaos of daily life.
