A self-made scarf to get you through the winter? If you’re in the mood for hands-on work and creative experimentation, learn the art of weaving from and with Christina Klessmann in her space, the Weberloft. Just a short walk from the Westend train station, in an industrial loft shared by independent artists (and right next to the Gipsformerei, where molds are cast), find the Weberloft on the top floor. The space, entirely in white, forms a striking contrast to the nine wooden looms and frames: each different, most with quite a few years behind them, and all but one run without electricity. On the floor-to-ceiling shelves rest cones and balls of yarn, the raw materials for weaving, in every color of the rainbow and beyond: natural grey Norwegian wool, fine mohair, vibrant cotton threads, elegant linen yarn and more. They form the basis for the scarves, blankets, cloths and wall hangings that Christina hand-weaves here. Born and raised in Berlin with a Norwegian father, Christina has lived in the city all her life. She studied textile design and found her way to hand weaving through an apprenticeship at Werkhof Kukate. She has been running the Weberloft since 2013, and since 2021 from this new loft space. Over many years, she taught at the UdK, but now focuses on her own designs and weaving courses in her studio. These usually run for two to three days, depending on the topic.

During the two-day course we attended, participants worked on table looms with rigid heddles, in widths of 40–80 cm, ideal for scarves or cushion covers. In 2026, her popular wool blanket courses will return, where participants work at the large floor looms. These courses also introduce the different looms and their unique characteristics. From warping the yarn to setting up the looms, from weaving in various techniques to finishing the pieces, from sewing in ends to twisting fringes, you’ll learn every step and take home a one-of-a-kind piece you designed and made yourself. Christina and her colleague Nicole teach in small groups with plenty of personal guidance, and participants learn from one another as well. Lunch is shared and conversations are encouraged. When you head home after two or three days with your finished piece, you’ll know that craftsmanship comes from doing, and that a day at the loom is part digital detox, part tactile, grounding work. At the same time, your appreciation for the textiles in your own home grows. You may catch yourself examining your blankets and towels more closely, and maybe even feeling the urge to learn more about weaving. For me, it’s a practice that balances two things: intuitive making and logical thinking. You can plan the perfect pattern and try to follow it, or you allow the process to lead you. Christina is always by your side, offering technical support as well as color advice, her knowledge of color theory helping you choose the right combination. Whether in matching tones or bold color-blocking, in waffle weave or simple plain weave, fluffy mohair or dense, glossy merino, the result is always a standout piece. In January 2026, the next scarf-weaving courses begin, and if you find yourself increasingly hooked or already have some experience, you can even rent time on the Weberloft looms. Curious? Stop by the Advent exhibition at the Weberloft on December 12.

Text: Nina Trippel / Photos: Ruby Watt

Weberloft, Sophie-Charlotten-Str. 15, 14059 Berlin–Westend; map
Find all the classes and info here. 

Advent exhibition at Weberloft 12.12.2025 14–21h
Modus Advents-Pop-up 13.12.2025 10–18h

@weberloft
@christinaklessmann

I’m beginning to believe the harsh Berlin winters are a time to bundle up together and uncover new hobbies or talents lying dormant within — inner discovery, while our external selves take refuge. Workshopping has been a great outlet and opportunity to learn something new. One particularly niche moment is Alina Naomi‘s beading workshop. An intricate craft driven by color and focus, Alina hosts workshops across Mitte, Prenzlauer Berg and Neukölln. She’s a Berlin-born artist with a passion for hands-on projects. When she decided she didn’t want to go down the traditional path of fashion, she taught herself beading. With glass beads as her main medium, Alina uses her hands or a loom to create jewellery and complex wall adornments. Inspired by her father’s heritage, the Seminole people, she connects cultural heritage with modern design. Alina is always looking for new combinations and styles to share with the community. In her workshop, we worked with looms, which is not as daunting as it sounds, and combined different beads to formulate a bracelet. It was a gorgeous way to spend the Sunday, enjoying the ambience of the Artrelations Gallery, unlocking a new skill, and creating a present for loved ones. Upcoming workshops to look forward to will include the group exhibitions taking place at the gallery (20.11.–20.12.2025). On 13.12.2025, there will be a small Christmas party, and everyone is welcome.

Text & Photos: Ruby Watt

Alina Naomi

artrelations Galerie, Ackerstr.154, 10115 Berlin–Mitte; map
Trouvaille Group Exhibition 20.11.–20.12.2025. Christmas party with the artists on 13.12.2025 16–20h.

@alinanaomi
@atelier_alinanaomi

Somewhere between Hamburg and Berlin, nestled in the Elbe meadows, lies the world’s smallest Hanseatic town: Werben. On arrival, it feels as if everything moves a little slower, or, better said, at its own pace. Walking through Werben, in the northern part of the Stendal district in Saxony-Anhalt, we’re greeted by historic half-timbered houses painted in bright colors. As our gaze drifts over the vast, green fields of the Elbe meadows, the wind gently rustles through the trees, and we listen to the chatter of geese and cranes. At the heart of the town, home to 900 residents, and right next to the imposing St. John’s Church, stands the Komturei. For centuries, it’s been a place of community, agriculture, and transformation. First, a monastic courtyard — the original settlement of the Johanniter order — later a Prussian estate, and finally an LPG collective farm. Living here means residing in a piece of the town’s history. Like many of Werben’s residents before them, architects Aimée Michelfelder and Jurek Brüggen fell in love with the town and the Komturei during a bike ride along the Elbe. Together with other architects, they convinced the town to revive the Komturei. In the future, it will house assisted living apartments, seminar rooms, a yoga studio, as well as ateliers and workshops. The Verwalterinnenhaus is part of the Komturei.

Built in 1890, on medieval foundation remnants, it was, as its name suggests, a place of administration, but today serves as a retreat. After two years of renovation and construction, the collaborative project by AADA, AFEA, ammi, Patrick Holzer, and undjurekbrüggen is now complete. The team of architects has transformed the historic building into six minimalist, fully equipped holiday apartments. They prioritized natural and traditional materials such as clay and lime plaster, as well as wood-fiber and hemp insulation. Historic beams and windows were restored, and existing facade bricks were reused. Their approach was clear: preserve where possible; complement where necessary. When the sun peeks out from behind the clouds, we sit in the garden and read. In summer, we head to the Elbe riverbank for a swim. After a long walk through the Elbe meadows, we warm up in the sauna. In the afternoon, we stop by Café Lämpel for coffee and cake. Here, a space for communal relaxation has been created — a place designed and built with sustainability in mind. One can work here or do absolutely nothing and feel right at home.

Text: Milena Kalojanov / Photos: Anne Schwalbe

Verwalterinnenhaus

@orte.site