Germany star Klara Bühl finds creativity away from football — with a crochet hook

Crocheting is a hobby that has gained renewed popularity since the COVID years and is widespread across generations. It has even found its way into professional sport. One well-known example is British diver Tom Daley, who is also an avid knitter. In women’s football, one of the hobby’s most prominent advocates is German star Klara Bühl.

Klara Bühl is a name every women’s football fan knows. The Bayern Munich winger is one of the standout stars of both German and world football, renowned above all for her extraordinary ability to create chances. The numbers back it up: halfway through the season she already has an incredible 12 assists in the Frauen-Bundesliga.

DIY queen

It is a figure no other player in the league has come close to matching. And it is far from an anomaly in her career — Bühl has produced similar numbers in previous seasons as well. It is little wonder that both Bayern Munich, the serial German champions, and the German national team rely heavily on her creativity. The latter, an equally ambitious side, approaches every major international tournament with one goal: the title — and places in the squad are reserved only for the very best.

But Klara Bühl does not stand out only for her footballing ability. For any athlete, having something that helps them switch off away from their sport is important — even more so for someone competing at the highest level for one of the best teams in the country while also representing the national team.

Bühl has found that balance in creative activities. By her own admission, she needs an outlet where she can express her creativity. She is, for example, an excellent cook and enjoys spending time in the kitchen — something her close circle surely appreciates. She also likes working on various DIY projects. And that connects to the hobby she has become best known for away from football: crocheting.

Crocheting gained widespread popularity during the COVID years, when many people were confined to their homes and making small decorations, toys or pieces of clothing became a comforting way to pass the time. It is also a craft that almost anyone can learn — all it really takes is a hook, some yarn and a bit of patience.

Emotional support koala

Bühl also discovered this hobby during the COVID period. As the saying goes, every cloud has a silver lining — and that was true in her case as well. When Germany lost the final of Euro 2022, it was a painful disappointment for a team that holds the record for the most Women’s World Cup titles. Bühl had energy she wanted to channel into something positive and to lift the mood within the squad. So she crocheted 23 small hearts — one for each team-mate. A simple but touching gesture that surely helped raise spirits after the defeat.

The wider public, however, only became aware of Bühl’s crocheting during the 2023 Women’s World Cup, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand. Alongside the kangaroo, the koala is one of Australia’s most recognisable symbols. Bühl once again leaned into her hobby and crocheted a small koala, which quickly became the German team’s unofficial mascot during the tournament.

The tiny crocheted koala soon gained popularity on social media and became a charming symbol associated with Germany at the World Cup. It was named Waru — meaning “fire” in the Pintupi-Luritja language. Waru brought positive energy to the German camp, something every team needs at a major tournament, with players taking turns to hold and cuddle the mascot. Waru secured a lasting place in football history. Bühl later donated the crocheted koala to the German Football Museum in Dortmund.

A similar story unfolded at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Bühl continued the tradition by crocheting a small otter named Ottienne. The mascot seemed to bring Germany some luck, as the team went on to win the bronze medal.

It is a small but perfect example of how combining two passions can bring joy not only to you, but also to the people around you.