Li Zhihua was born in Zunhua, Hebei Province, in 1956. He graduated from the Hebei Arts and Crafts School (now Hebei University of Arts and Crafts). Li studied under many famous calligraphy and painting masters.

His knitwear patterns "Mandarin Duck" and "Hundred Flowers" and others were rated as excellent patterns by the Hebei Textile Industry System and won the Best Work Award.