Ryan Gosling wore a fox cardigan in 'Project Hail Mary' and now everyone wants a fox cardigan | Euronews

## Summary
By&nbsp Amber Louise Bryce Published on 09/04/2026 - 7:22 GMT+2 Share Comments Share Facebook Twitter Flipboard Send Reddit Linkedin Messenger Telegram VK Bluesky Threads Whatsapp Ryan Gosling doesn't need extra help to sizzle on screen but one item he wears in his latest film 'Project Hail Mary' has set the internet alight with claims it's the most popular piece of movie knitwear since Elphaba's "sex cardigan". There’s plenty to love about sci-fi blockbuster Project Hail Mary . spectacular visuals, cute little rock aliens, spontaneous karaoke , and Ryan Gosling’s effortless charm. Mary Maxim In an Instagram post, costume designer Glyn Dillon explained that he found one of these original cardigans at a vintage market in London: “I immediately sent a photo of it to Dave (Crossman, Co-Costume Designer)… He (rightly) questioned whether the wolf design was maybe a bit too aggressive for a school teacher… So I decided to just buy it for myself,” he wrote. “But that afternoon was also our first fitting with Ryan... and when he saw it he fell in love with it too. Last year, Elphaba’s so-called “sex cardigan” from Wicked: For Good became one of the most divisive fashion items of 2025 (cosy grungy chic or giant swampy nightmare?) Cynthia Erivo in her memorable "sex cardigan" from 'Wicked: For Good'.

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By&nbsp
Amber Louise Bryce
Published on
09/04/2026 - 7:22 GMT+2
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Ryan Gosling doesn't need extra help to sizzle on screen but one item he wears in his latest film 'Project Hail Mary' has set the internet alight with claims it's the most popular piece of movie knitwear since Elphaba's "sex cardigan".
There’s plenty to love about sci-fi blockbuster
Project Hail Mary
. spectacular visuals, cute little rock aliens, spontaneous
karaoke
, and Ryan Gosling’s effortless charm.
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But, in a surprising twist, it’s the appearance of a hand-knitted fox cardigan based on a 1950s design that’s taking audiences - and the internet - by storm.
The movie, directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (
The Lego Movie
and
21 Jump Street
), follows a molecular biologist-turned-school teacher named Ryland (Gosling), who’s sent into space on a world-saving mission.
Based on a best-selling book by Andy Weir, it’s received overwhelmingly positive feedback for its blend of serious sci-fi with humour and a heartwarming message; reminiscent of nostalgic extraterrestrial epics like
E.T.
.
In
his review
, our film critic David Mouriquand called it “a galactic adventure that works as a handsomely made, old-school crowd-pleaser”.
Related
Are movies really getting longer – and if so, are ballooning runtimes a bad thing?
Despite the bulk of the movie being set in the near future, Gosling’s wardrobe throughout is notably retro - rainbow-striped hoodies, ironic slogan tees (‘I had potential), and, of course, the cosy fox jumper everyone’s become bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for.
It's actually based on a 1959 knitting pattern by Mary Maxim, a Canadian-founded craft supply company. Featuring snarling wolves and scattered paw prints, the design was inspired by classic Cowichan style - a distinctive form of hand-knitted indigenous jumpers native to Vancouver.
Mary Maxim's original wolf cardigan knitting pattern.
Mary Maxim
In an Instagram post, costume designer Glyn Dillon explained that he found one of these original cardigans at a vintage market in London:
“I immediately sent a photo of it to Dave (Crossman, Co-Costume Designer)… He (rightly) questioned whether the wolf design was maybe a bit too aggressive for a school teacher… So I decided to just buy it for myself,” he wrote.
“But that afternoon was also our first fitting with Ryan... and when he saw it he fell in love with it too. The directors Phil and Chris, the producers, everyone loved it,” he continued.
However, as anyone who’s binge-watched enough Gosling interviews knows, the actor LOVES foxes. Since moving to the UK last year, he’s become fascinated by the urban creature’s resourcefulness, telling BBC Radio 1 he thinks they’re “cool as hell”. This led to him making a last minute suggestion.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Glyn Dillon (@glyn__dillon)
“He asked if we could change the wolves to foxes. We were extremely tight on time but this was also a chance to change the faces, and the blood red footprints, Dave’s initial instinct was right… so... with everyone in agreement, new coloured yarn was ordered, I re-jigged the faces to make them fox-like and more friendly… and then our incredible knitters had to just go like the clappers,” Dillon said.
“It all came good in the end and I’m chuffed it’s getting all the love.”
But those already Googling to find one should brace for disappointment. The jumper is currently only available to hand knit, with Mary Maxim releasing the updated pattern as a kit for roughly €78.
Related
'I love you Gertrūda': Meet the artist making self-love an endurance art on TikTok
Many knitters have been quick to put together their own versions, debating everything from its yarn type to technicalities (rowing issues, IYKYK) - and what the cost of hand-knitted items should be. This latter point has become particularly pertinent in an age of fast-fashion, where people are increasingly unwilling (or unable) to pay the high cost of handmade items.
However, as the r/knitting subreddit proves, it’s also inspired a lot of positives - namely a renewed interest in the craft. While several knitters are now backlogged with orders, others have even been inspired to take up the hobby.
“I'm waiting for my kit to arrive and I'm so excited! Amaze! 👎🏻”, wrote one Reddit user. “Some people watch for Ryan Gosling, some people watch to see him raise his arms for the knit fit,” wrote another.
This is not the first time movie knitwear has gone viral. Last year, Elphaba’s so-called “sex cardigan” from
Wicked: For Good
became one of the most divisive fashion items of 2025 (cosy grungy chic or giant swampy nightmare?)
Cynthia Erivo in her memorable "sex cardigan" from 'Wicked: For Good'.
Instagram/cynthiaerivo
Back in 2019, Chris Evans’ creamy-coloured Aran Islands jumper from
Knives Out
also took off, with crafters attempting to replica

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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
- The other benefit, of course, is that we get to try making them ourselves.

### Areas for Consideration
N/A

### Implications
- Despite the bulk of the movie being set in the near future, Gosling’s wardrobe throughout is notably retro - rainbow-striped hoodies, ironic slogan tees (‘I had potential), and, of course, the cosy fox jumper everyone’s become bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for.
- View this post on Instagram A post shared by Glyn Dillon (@glyn__dillon) “He asked if we could change the wolves to foxes.
- We were extremely tight on time but this was also a chance to change the faces, and the blood red footprints, Dave’s initial instinct was right… so... with everyone in agreement, new coloured yarn was ordered, I re-jigged the faces to make them fox-like and more friendly… and then our incredible knitters had to just go like the clappers,” Dillon said. “It all came good in the end and I’m chuffed it’s getting all the love.” But those already Googling to find one should brace for disappointment.
- Related 'I love you Gertrūda': Meet the artist making self-love an endurance art on TikTok Many knitters have been quick to put together their own versions, debating everything from its yarn type to technicalities (rowing issues, IYKYK) - and what the cost of hand-knitted items should be.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers gosling, mary, cardigan topics. Notable strengths include discussion of gosling. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 953.