RUSSELL CROWE - CROWE'S KNITTING FETISH

Hollywood hardman RUSSELL CROWE has ripped apart his bad boy reputation - by taking up knitting.

The A BEAUTIFUL MIND star developed a love for the antiquated hobby while his wife DANIELLE SPENCER was pregnant with baby son CHARLES.

And now Russell, 39, is unwilling to put down his knitting needles because the calm pastime helps him relax.

A source says, "When he was waiting for his wife to give birth last December, Russell would often go into a corner by himself with his knitting needles."

The GLADIATOR star isn't the only A lister with a penchant for knitting - JULIA ROBERTS is a fellow enthusiast.