The Cary Grant Stitch
Foyer, Bristol Megascreen at Bristol Aquarium, Anchor Road, Bristol UK, BS1 5TT
Friday 27 November 2026, 1-2pm

A free pre-screening knit-in inspired by Mr Lucky (1943)

Before the screening of Mr Lucky, join us for a relaxed community knit-in celebrating one of the most unexpected and charming moments in Cary Grant’s career.

The event takes inspiration from a remarkable moment in wartime America. During the Second World War, knitting was widely promoted as a patriotic activity, with millions of Americans producing garments and comforts for servicemen overseas. The period generated a wealth of knitting propaganda, including slogans such as “Remember Pearl Harbor: Purl Harder”, which linked domestic craft directly to wartime morale and national identity. Such material also reflected the prejudices and wartime anxieties of its era, and forms part of the historical context we will be exploring.

Preparing for the role, Grant learned to knit specially for the film. While war-effort knitting was primarily associated with women, men knitted too, and Mr Lucky offered a rare and highly visible example of one of Hollywood’s biggest stars taking up the needles. What makes the famous knitting scene so fascinating today is the way it plays with gender expectations. Cary Grant’s screen persona was built around confidence, charm and effortless masculinity, yet here he is knitting without embarrassment or apology. As scholars of knitting and popular culture have noted, the scene challenged assumptions about who knits and why, while demonstrating that creativity, care and craft need not belong to one gender.

Join us for an hour of knitting, conversation and community inspired by one of the most unexpected moments in Cary Grant’s career. Bring your own project, learn a few stitches, swap tips with fellow crafters, or simply enjoy the atmosphere. Whether you’re a seasoned knitter, a curious beginner or a Cary Grant fan intrigued by this surprising piece of Hollywood history, everyone is welcome.

Tickets

Free

No experience necessary. Beginners welcome.

You might also be interested in:

 

FRIDAY PASS, £30 MR LUCKY OPERATION PETTICOAT