Given a ball of wool, what would you do with it? Well, you could knit yourself a scarf, a sweater or a pair of gloves. And if that's too humdrum, how about creating a cute accessory like a handbag or a brooch?

Woolen items stand out for their soft texture and are wonderful for providing warmth in the cold weather. The Global Times has found several venues in the city that provide knitting and DIY woolen activities.

Wool felt items

Recently, self-made woolen felt items have been gaining popularity in and around the city. Instead of using regular woolen yarns, participants choose from different colored authentic wools, roll them into balls, and use special needles to felt the wool. Unlike knitted clothes, this method can be used to make solid woolen items in the form of toy animals, for example.

Located in a residential compound in Jing'an district, the Mansenhuo Hand-making Studio is dedicated to DIY woolen felt items. The owner, Qian Jiting, used to work for a store trading in woolen felt products in Shanghai's Tianzifang. "Many customers used to ask us how to make the products we sold, so it occurred to me that we should start classes for interested people," Qian told the Global Times.

Making woolen felt products can be divided into two categories: one is needle-felt, and the other is wet-felt. In the former method wool fibers are matted by the barbs on a felt needle, and this is usually the method for making "solid" items, such as toys; while the latter method is achieved by rubbing wet wool between your hands, and which helps to make flat or "hollow" items, such as tablemats, cellphone carriers, berets, and children's shoes.

"To felt with warm water is easier for beginners compared with using needles, but it requires the use of good quality wool," Qian told the Global Times. "Poor quality wool products may contain manmade fibers which will not felt properly." The studio offers a range of differently colored wools from Australia, while customers are also welcome to bring along their own materials to the class.

Organizers have launched classes of different levels, ranging from 35 yuan ($5.61) to 80 yuan for needle-felt items (which includes both the material and the tuition fee) and from 60 yuan to 150 yuan for wet-felt items. Beverages are also available at the studio.

Opening hours: 11 am to 9 pm

Add: 1/F, No.11, Lane 1420 Wuding Road West

武定西路1420弄11号1楼

Call 5283-3552 for details

Shanghai Guild

First established in 2004, the Shanghai Guild offers a fun platform for knitters of all levels. Currently most of the members of the guild are wives of expats from overseas.  

Every Thursday afternoon, the manager Kathy Pauli welcomes members to her home on Jianguo Road West. Participants can bring their own yarns to events; alternatively the guild provides a variety of yarns and knitting tools to choose from.

"Participants don't have any obligation to the guild, we come here to meet friends and for fun," said Hong Kong-born Niny Lam who joined the club more than a year ago. "We talk about family matters, share information about new venues in the city every week, and generally became good friends with each other."

Besides their own activities, the Shanghai Guild has also established cooperative arrangements with several charity organizations in the city. For example, blankets knitted by members have been donated to local orphanages, while scarves, gloves, and even knitted teddy bears have been sold to raise money for children who suffer from heart disease. 

Meeting hours: 1 pm to 4 pm, every Thursday

Visit www.shanghaiguild.com or e-mail info@shanghaiguild.com for address and details

Knitting Corner

The Knitting Corner has been a popular knitting event in the city since it first started in 2009, and recently the Chongqing-born owner Liu Ning has moved the operation from Anfu Road to a new studio on Tianshan Road. Liu provides ready-to-wear scarves, gloves and jumpers for sale, and also sells Italian cashmere and lambswool.

Currently, Liu teaches simple knitting patterns for scarves and gloves to beginners for free.

Opening hours: 1 pm to 6 pm, every Saturday

Add: Tianshan Road, near Loushanguan Road Station on Line 2

天山路, 近2号线娄山关路地铁站

Email knittingcorner60@gmail.com to make reservations

Laowan Handmade Studio

Located in the serene environs of Jing'an Villa, the Laowan Handmade Studio is run by a Shanghainese woman who calls herself Laowan. And her designs, including knitted dresses, scarves, gloves and tablemats, are scattered in every corner of the studio. Customers can choose from the knitting patterns from either Laowan's own designs, or from professional knitting books. Different kinds of yarns and needles are also available for knitting fans. 

Opening hours: Midday to 8 pm (closed on Mondays). Reservation is required.

Add: 1/F, No.11, Jing'an Villa, Lane 1025 Nanjing Road West

南京西路1025弄静安别墅11号1楼

Call 5240-1225 for details