It’s getting cold outside, and while most Hongkongers will dust of their scarves and hats, some true heroes out there, wielding their righteous needles, will do God’s work weaving together the fabric of the very universe itself: yarn.
And while long-time Creators of Knitwear will already have their noble suppliers, inductees into the exciting and perilous World of Knitting might rightly wonder where to look for a wide enough wool selection to begin their quest.
Never fear, Coconuts is here.
For those wanting to wage battle with winter itself, we’ve compiled a list of the best and most mighty yarn shops in the semi-autonomous realm of Hong Kong, each boasting an impressive armory of needles, hooks, and knitting patterns.
Now go forth, brave warriors, and knit.
Double Knit Yarn
Tucked away behind Mong Kok’s Fa Yuen Street Market is this haven of yarn. Woollen scarves hang from the ceiling and the shelves are packed full of soft knitable goodness. There’s a huge selection of cheap yarn, with some balls under the counter going for as little as HK$15 — a great option for first-time knitters or anyone experimenting with a project. The store is staffed by some local ladies with limited English, so if you’re not a Cantonese speaker, bring a friend who is if you want to talk specifics.
179, 1/F Fa Yuen Street, Mong Kok, Kowloon
+852 2396 2070
Mon-Sat, 11pm-7pm; closed on Sun
Nathan Wool
Not too far from Double Knit Yarn is this other cosy shop just off Nathan Road. Great for special yarns that are ideal for kids sweaters, hats and toys. And the best part is it’s open all week, so if you wake up on Sunday and find you need a yarn fix, you know where to go.
Unit 1, 4/F, Yuen King Building, 26-36 Sai Yeung Choi Street South, Mong Kok, Kowloon
+852 2385 1223
Mon-Sun, 1:30pm-8pm
Yarn in the Works
If you are thinking of learning knitting and need someone to guide you along the way, Yarn in the Works is the place for you. The trendy Sheung Wan shop opened last year and has “knit nights” every Thursday from 7pm to 9pm for people who want to meet fellow knitters. It also holds regular workshops on projects such as baby booties or Christmas decorations. The helpful staff are full of advice about which yarn works best for which project. They also sell knitting packs for projects like cardigans that include instructions and all the material you’ll need. The yarns on offer might be pricey for some, but with a great selection of chunky and soft wool, it is definitely worth it.
20 Tai Ping Shan Street, Sheung Wan
+852 2915 8211
Tues-Fri, 11am-7pm; Saturday, 12pm-5pm; closed on Sun-Mon
Paris Woolen Company Workshop
Owned by a lovely, patient couple who are willing to help you out if you are having a bit of trouble with a project. They also have a very active Facebook presence, with lots of photos of sweaters and scarves to get you inspired (check out this Superman sweater vest). With two tables in the shop, customers are welcome to pop in and finish off something they’re working on, but warning, it can get crowded.
Flat B, 2/F, 1 Pak Sha Road, Causeway B
+852 2812 2141
Wed-Mon, 9am-7pm; closed on Tues
Cheer Wool
Cheer Wool bills themselves as one of the biggest handicrafts wholesalers in Hong Kong and they’re not kidding. The company boasts a spacious shop in a crowded part of the city with a great selection of yarns and classes. Their Facebook account, too, is full of photos of knitting projects to check out if you’re looking for inspiration for your next project.
22/F, Yam Tze Commercial Building, 23 Thomson Road, Wan Chai
+852 2527 3901
Mon-Fri, 10:30am-7:30pm; Sat-Sun, 10:30am-6:30pm
Mui Tong Wools
Mui Tong has so much wool that there’s barely enough space to walk, literally. Staff are friendly and you’re practically spoiled for choice with the number of yarns on offer. With piles of material piled high and spilling from shelves, it can be difficult to find what you’re looking while squeezing between balls of yarn. On a side note, it can become a tad claustrophobic after while.
1/F, 17 Jervois Street, Sheung Wan
+852 2544 0624
Mon-Fri, 9am-6:30pm; Sat, 9am-6pm; closed on Sun
Have we missed a yarn shop from our list? Let us know.
While you’re at it, you might want to check out:
Best vintage shops in Hong Kong: Where to get unique, retro, and second-hand clothing
6 splendid staycation ideas for Chinese New Year 2018
Hungry Lawyer: 5 destinations for traditional Cantonese food from Sheung Wan to Tai Hang
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