Celebrity knitting 'sparks boom'

It's the 'new yoga', apparently

A boom in sales of wool and yarn is reported by a department store chain as knitting appears to have become the latest celebrity craze.

John Lewis said it sold 93,000 balls of wool last week - up 60% on last year.

Stars Sarah Jessica Parker, Julia Roberts, Uma Thurman and Madonna have been recently revealed as knitters.

John Lewis haberdashery buyer Lucy Wright said chunky knitwear was featuring on catwalks and knitting was "being referred to as the new yoga".

"We are seeing more customers buying wool to make jumpers, scarves and fashion accessories such as pom poms," she said.