Our Personal Pathways: A Talk with Olgalyn Jolly
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In this deeply personal and inspiring episode of 'Roll With Peace, In Mind,' host Jackie Bird sits down with Ogilin Jolly—known as OJ—to explore the winding, resilient journey of creative reinvention. OJ, a former modern dancer and Broadway performer, shares her transition from the demanding world of industrial and bus-and-truck tours to becoming a pioneering machine knitting educator and designer. Her story is one of foresight, curiosity, and deliberate craft—she knew by age 30 she’d leave performing arts, and she used her time on the road to learn machine knitting, eventually mastering the craft and turning it into a lifelong vocation. Now, she teaches online, mentors across disciplines like architecture and robotics, and champions the deep, structural understanding of knitwear as the foundation for true creativity. The conversation reveals how OJ’s journey—from early fascination with Japanese knitwear in the 80s to becoming an ambassador for the Knitterate machine—was shaped by persistence, community, and a refusal to settle for surface-level skills. She emphasizes that mastery comes not from quick results but from disciplined practice, core principle study, and embracing the 'deep end' of learning.
Mastering the core principles of knit structure—stitches, tension, and fabric behavior—is essential for true creativity in machine knitting.
The journey to mastery requires deliberate practice, including making swatches and focusing on one skill per project.
Machine knitting is not just a craft—it’s a versatile tool with applications in engineering, architecture, and material science.
Building relationships and reaching out to strangers can lead to unexpected opportunities, as OJ discovered when she connected with the Knitterate team.
Teaching on two knitting beds from the start allows for deeper understanding of knit structure and more creative possibilities.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Introduction and Origins: From Broadway to Knitting
Jackie Bird introduces OJ, a former modern dancer and performer, and traces her early career in industrial shows and the Bus and Truck tour, setting the stage for her eventual pivot to machine knitting.
The Turning Point: Leaving the Stage at 30
“I knew I would leave at age 30. If I were under contract, I’d finish it out. But then that would be it.”
The Machine That Changed Everything: Knitterate and the Kickstarter
“I was ready to take people to come and see the machine. But two weeks after it arrived, we went into pandemic lockdown.”
Teaching the Core: Structure Over Patterns
“There are only four or five operations you can do. Every other fancy stitch is a combination.”
Legacy, Community, and the Future of Craft
OJ reflects on her work beyond knitting—mentoring architects, creating courses, and preserving craft knowledge—while inviting others to continue her work, especially in teaching how to cut and sew sweaters.
“There are only four or five operations you can do. Every other fancy stitch is a combination.”
“You are actually coming more into who you are as you get older.”
“I knew I would leave at age 30. If I were under contract, I’d finish it out. But then that would be it.”
Host
Guest
Ogilin Jolly
person
Jackie Bird
person
Knitterate
product
Fashion Institute of Technology
organization
Parsons School of Design
organization
School Products
brand
How to Cut and Sew a Sweater
other
Jagger's
brand
Bus and Truck Tour
other
Designing with Knitterate
other
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