On a set defined by unflinching intensity and gripping drama, Kelli Giddish has mastered the art of unwinding in the most unexpected way: by picking up knitting needles between takes on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
While filming one of television’s darkest procedurals, sometimes you need something a little soft. On the set of Law & Order: SVU, where the detectives tackle some of the most heinous cases on network TV, Giddish has found knitting to be an unexpectedly cozy way to pass the time. During a March 2026 interview on the David Greene is Obsessed podcast, Giddish opened up about her multi-decade “obsession,” knitting.
Yes, that’s right: Sgt. Amanda Rollins is knitting-obsessed, and eagle-eyed fans may have even noticed a knitting bag beneath her desk over the years. Those aren’t case files, SVU fans, that’s Giddish’s behind-the-scenes pastime.
“I always have it on set. Especially on set,” Giddish revealed to the former NPR Morning Edition host, referring to her knitting bag. “Because when you first start doing this job, there’s so much downtime. You want to make use of it.”
Kelli Giddish is obsessed with knitting on the set of Law & Order: SVU
During Giddish’s podcast appearance, the SVU star confessed that she isn’t the type of person who can sit around idle for too long.
“I can’t not use the time to do something productive,” Giddish said. Back in the day, Giddish would try reading between takes. However, after being constantly pulled from the page to film a scene, the SVU star soon realized she needed something that provided more creative leniency.
“I was like, you know what? I’m just going to full on lean on knitting,” Giddish recalled. “So, I swear under Rollins’ desk in every scene is my knitting bag. I think it’s made itself into a couple of scenes, to be honest.”
Giddish proudly flashed the bag that she uses to carry around her various yarns, needles, and knitting supplies. “A fan gave me this knitting bag, and I’ve gotten a couple of knitting bags over the years from fans, because I guess they see me in behind-the-scenes pictures in my cast chair knitting,” Giddish shared.
Law & Order: SVU Season 27
Olivia Benson and her fearless squad are back in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 27, with new episodes airing on Thursdays at 9/8c on NBC and the next day on Peacock.
Season 27 stars Mariska Hargitay, Ice T, Peter Scanavino, Kelli Giddish, Kevin Kane, and Aimé Donna Kelly, as well as SVU newcomer Corey Cott.
This season, Benson continues her command of the Manhattan SVU as she crosses paths with a dynamite line-up of guest stars including Jemima Kirke and Danielle MacDonald. Plus, Season 27 has marked the long-awaited return of Sgt. Rollins.
To feel like a member of the elite squad, check out exclusive Law & Order merch from the NBC Store.
SVU star Kelli Giddish has been knitting for over 30 years
While Giddish revealed on Greene’s podcast that she’s been knitting for 30 years, she’s content with her current skill level. “It’s kind of like my guitar playing. It hasn’t progressed past a certain point, and I’m okay with that,” Giddish laughed, confessing that she’s not a “professional” jumping to conjure cable sweaters on the daily.
“I could do anything I put my mind to with knitting. But where I knit, you can’t really count stitches and and follow a pattern, you know?” Giddish explained. “It’s like you’re in and out of it. So, it has to be something I don’t have to think about… But if I had all the time in the world, I would definitely be getting into that.”
Considering Rollins has closed hundreds of cases with the elite squad, Giddish has likely knitted countless creations behind the scenes of SVU. In fact, even when presented with other options to decompress, Giddish will always pick up her yarn and needles. In a rapid-fire style interview with Universal+, the actress was asked to choose between therapy and watching a TV series, and she answered with a laugh: “Hmm… Knitting.”