Ryan Gosling may be a major film star, but his perfect day involves something entirely unglamorous — yarn and knitting needles.

“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,” Ryan told GQ Australia’s February/March 2013 issue.

In fact, it wasn’t just relaxing. The box office hunk said it was perfect!

“If I had to design my perfect day, that would be it,” he said. “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.”

Ryan also shared with the mag a story of how he was swept into the world of rock ‘n’ roll as a child, thanks to his uncle, who was an Elvis Presley impersonator.

“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,” Ryan said. “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.”