Knitting is no longer just for grandmas. An explosive trend in crafts and all things DIY has seen knitting clubs springing up all over London and New York in the last five years.  

Paulistanos looking for a creative outlet, or the chance to stitch their way out of the city’s daily stresses and strains, can now visit São Paulo’s first knitting café, Novelaria Knit Café, in Vila Madalena.

The cosy café-cum-craft-space was set up a year ago by friends Priscilla Bueno and Lica Isak. Bueno, who is also a translator, said they came up with the plan when she became disenchanted with her job: ‘I started to embroider and crochet as a hobby, but when I looked for stores with nice yarns, I couldn’t find any,’ Bueno recalls.  

The duo decided to follow the wave of knitting spaces they saw in US cities like San Francisco. Adapting it to their own Brazilian style, they opened a colourful, charming café filled with quality products. Clients can sign up for classes, learning everything from knitting and crochet to embroidery (R$53-$104 per class, depending on the technique).  

If you’re not ready to commit to a class, turn up, get comfy on a couch and just enjoy one of the tasty homemade treats like the apple crumble (R$8) served with tea in porcelain pots (R$6 per pot). Bring your own needles along too if you’re feeling creative; the shop stocks a selection of coloured wools and threads.