Ryan Gosling's perfect day involves knitting.

The 'Gangster Squad' actor has developed a love for creating garments out of needles and yarn as he thinks it's a great way to relax after a hard day's work.

He said: ''I did this scene in 'Lars and the Real Girl' where I was in a room full of old ladies who were knitting, and it was an all-day scene, so they showed me how. It was one of the most relaxing days of my life.

''If I had to design my perfect day, that would be it. And you get something out of it at the end. You get a nice present. For someone who wants an oddly shaped, off-putting scarf.''

However, Ryan's life hasn't always been so calm and says he got a love for showbiz after watching his uncle perform as an Elvis Presley impersonator.

He told Australia's GQ magazine: ''When I was a kid, it [my uncle] was certainly the most interesting thing going on in the house. He made his own costumes, did all the sequins - it took months. And I became a bit like his shadow, helping him when I could. He was in the mirror, working on the voice and singing, and he [slowly] created this character, and then he put together an act and performed in a local talent show. And because I was so interested, he made me the head of security. As a joke.''