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ABOUT

I am a designer of knitwear and knitted textiles with a past in the performing arts. 

Attracted to and inspired by luxurious fibers, I love looping yarns and manipulating them into interesting shapes, getting the visual rhythm going, repeating a motif. 

I love the fact that a knitted textile can be created with just a single thread. The design is executed, and the yarn end is passed through the final loop. The knit fabric, a physical documentation of a beautiful and complex idea, is complete.

I’m Olgalyn Jolly, founder of O! Jolly! LLC.

I’m Olgalyn Jolly, founder of O! Jolly!

BACKGROUND

It was on a trip to Japan in 1983 (performing in the Broadway show Sophisticated Ladies) that I first became aware of the sweaters of Kansai Yamamoto. These were like no sweaters I had ever seen before: intricate stitches, bold fiber combinations, unexpected accents. By 1984 I had my very first knitting machine, a Bulky 8, which I dutifully packed and brought with me on the next road trip. I began designing and knitting my first sweaters while on tour, inspired by the wild designs I had seen the year before.

The next twist of my showbiz career, as a member of the electronic music group Silicon Soul, brought new development to my knitting. Between gigs, I studied draping, pattern making, machine knitting technology and design at Parsons School of Design and the Fashion Institute of Technology, at home in New York City. 

O! Jolly! gradually evolved in the late 80's, alternately as a line of "fashion forward" knitwear and a creator of fiber art. The photos on the below are from this time.

During the 90's my knitted stitch patterns were purchased by leading fashion designers and retailers including Alexander Julian, Ann Taylor, Armani Exchange, Club Monaco, Federated Stores Product Development, Reebok, Jones Apparel Group, and Saks Fifth Avenue.

With the new millennium came my public hiatus in order to have the time to homeschool my son. It was a time for conceptual design and forging plans on what was to come.

CURRENT

January 1, 2011 marked the reestablishment of O! Jolly! in SoHo, New York City. I'm very happy to be designing, knitting, sewing, and blogging (Knitting in the Fast Lane and Crafting Fashion) about machine knitting and working with knit fabrics.

I work with design professionals, students, and hobbyists. Much of my design energy goes into developing fabrics for fashion, research, and the home sewing market. Limited ready to ship sweater knits are available in my online shop. Custom knit fabrics are sometimes available; they are my passion. My current favorite tool for these creative endeavors is the Kniterate knitting machine.

Sharing my enthusiasm for knits is important part of my activities. As an adjunct faculty member at the Fashion Institute of Technology and Parsons School of Design, I’ve taught knitwear design and machine knitting. I’ve had the pleasure of presenting lectures and teaching classes with Textile Arts Center, Vogue Knitting, Mid Atlantic Fiber Association, and the American Sewing Guild. My online classes are always available.

I'm eager to collaborate with others, to teach, and to learn. I support social justice, equity, and inclusion. We are better together. Contact me here

MISSION STATEMENT

The O! Jolly! mission statement is simple: No More Boring Knits! Knitted fabrics will have surprising poly-textures. They will be well crafted with compelling structures.