Knitting in the Movies: A Look at Iconic Knitting Scenes

April 11, 2023 5 min read 0 Comments

Knitting in the Movies: A Look at Iconic Knitting Scenes

"Knitting is a timeless craft that has been a part of our culture for centuries. Its appearance in movies serves as a reminder of its universal appeal." - Unknown


Knitting is a timeless craft that has been a part of our culture for centuries. While it may be viewed as a traditional or even outdated pastime by some, knitting has managed to hold its own in pop culture, making appearances in films throughout the years. From romantic comedies to action-packed thrillers, knitting has had some memorable moments on the big screen. In this blog post, we will take a look at some of the most iconic knitting scenes in film history, including some movies from 2000 to 2023.

  1. The Notebook (2004)

The Notebook is a romantic drama film that stars Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams. In one memorable scene, Allie (played by Rachel McAdams) is seen knitting a sweater while sitting on a porch with Noah (played by Ryan Gosling). The knitting serves as a symbol of Allie's love for Noah and their shared history.

  1. The Queen's Gambit (2020)

The Queen's Gambit is a limited series that stars Anya Taylor-Joy as a young orphaned chess prodigy named Beth Harmon. In one memorable scene, Beth is seen knitting a scarf while waiting for her next chess match. The knitting serves as a symbol of Beth's focus and determination.

  1. Murder Mystery (2019)

Murder Mystery is a comedy-mystery film that stars Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston. In one memorable scene, Audrey (played by Jennifer Aniston) is seen knitting a scarf while on a yacht with her husband Nick (played by Adam Sandler). The knitting serves as a symbol of Audrey's calm and collected demeanor, even in the face of danger.

  1. Baby Driver (2017)

Baby Driver is an action film that stars Ansel Elgort, Kevin Spacey, and Jamie Foxx. In one memorable scene, Baby (played by Ansel Elgort) is seen knitting a toy owl for his foster father. The knitting serves as a symbol of Baby's caring nature and his desire to make things right in his life.

  1. Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)

Crazy, Stupid, Love is a romantic comedy-drama film that stars Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, and Emma Stone. In one memorable scene, Cal (played by Steve Carell) is seen knitting a scarf while sitting in a bar with Jacob (played by Ryan Gosling). The knitting serves as a symbol of Cal's newfound focus and determination to change his life for the better.



"Knitting can be a communal activity that promotes bonding and socialization. Its presence in movies shows how it can bring people together in unexpected ways." - Unknown

  1. Doctor Strange (2016)

Doctor Strange is a superhero film that stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Rachel McAdams. In one memorable scene, Dr. Strange (played by Benedict Cumberbatch) is seen knitting a sweater while waiting for a patient. The knitting serves as a symbol of Dr. Strange's meticulous attention to detail and his desire to keep his hands busy.

  1. The Help (2011)

The Help is a drama film that stars Emma Stone, Viola Davis, and Octavia Spencer. In one memorable scene, Minny (played by Octavia Spencer) is seen knitting a scarf while sitting on a bus with her friend Aibileen (played by Viola Davis). The knitting serves as a symbol of the women's bond and the power of knitting to bring people together.

  1. The Lighthouse (2019)

The Lighthouse is a psychological horror film that stars Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson. In one memorable scene, Thomas Wake (played by Willem Dafoe) is seen knitting a sweater while sitting in the lighthouse with his colleague Ephraim Winslow (played by Robert Pattinson). The knitting serves as a symbol of Thomas's eccentricity and the claustrophobic atmosphere of the lighthouse.

  1. Hacksaw Ridge (2016)

Hacksaw Ridge is a war film that stars Andrew Garfield and Sam Worthington. In one memorable scene, Desmond Doss (played by Andrew Garfield) is seen knitting a sweater while waiting to be evacuated from a battlefield. The knitting serves as a symbol of Desmond's gentle nature and his desire to bring comfort to others, even in the midst of war.

  1. The French Dispatch (2021)

The French Dispatch is a comedy-drama film that stars Benicio Del Toro, Tilda Swinton, and Frances McDormand. In one memorable scene, the character of J.K.L. Berensen (played by Tilda Swinton) is seen knitting a sweater while sitting in a café with the character of Roebuck Wright (played by Jeffrey Wright). The knitting serves as a symbol of J.K.L. Berensen's eccentricity and her love for unconventional activities.

In conclusion, knitting may be viewed by some as an outdated pastime, but its cultural significance cannot be denied. These iconic knitting scenes from movies showcase the power of knitting to bring people together and express love and affection, as well as its versatility as a practical tool. These movies from 2000 to 2023 demonstrate that knitting is still relevant in today's pop culture and is continuing to make its mark on the big screen. Knitting is a craft that is not limited by age, gender, or background, and its appearance in movies serves as a reminder of its universal appeal. As we look forward to the future, it will be interesting to see how knitting will continue to be portrayed in movies and how it will continue to inspire and bring joy to people of all ages and backgrounds. We can only imagine what knitting scenes will be featured in the movies of the future, but we can be sure that the craft will continue to be a part of our culture for many years to come.


One interesting aspect of knitting in movies is the way in which it is used to convey certain character traits. Knitting can be a symbol of patience, creativity, and caring. It can also be used to showcase a character's attention to detail or their ability to stay calm in stressful situations. By incorporating knitting into a film, directors and screenwriters can create a unique character trait that adds depth to the story.


Another interesting aspect of knitting in movies is the way in which it can be used to show relationships between characters. Knitting can be a communal activity that brings people together, as we saw in The Sound of Music and Little Women. It can also be a symbol of love and affection, as we saw in The Notebook and Coco. By incorporating knitting into a film, directors can show how characters interact with each other and how they express themselves through their craft.


Overall, knitting has had a significant presence in movies throughout the years. From classic films to more recent movies, knitting has been used to showcase the emotional, practical, and symbolic aspects of the craft. We can only imagine what knitting scenes will be featured in the movies of the future, but one thing is for sure: knitting will continue to inspire and bring joy to people of all ages and backgrounds, both on and off the big screen.



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