We are so excited
to announce that Hochanda will be welcoming knitting expert Jody Long to the
family! We thought we’d have a sit down and pick his brain before he launches
his first shows on Hochanda on 9th April, enjoy!
How did you learn to knit & why?
When I was five years old I stayed over my
grandmothers house on her farm time to time. In the evenings I remember this
huge wicker basket came out with brightly coloured yarns and needles sticking
out with half finished projects. It fascinated me with all the colours and
projects she made, so, one day I said can you show me how to knit.
What was your first finished project?
Oh no, I remember it to this day. It was a
very badly knitted picture sweater in pink and cream with two little rabbits on
the front. It was a disaster as I never knew about tension and needle sizes.
The cream was aran and the pink was chunky, so you can only image.
How did you start designing?
I started designing from the age of twelve,
designing clothes for my sisters dolls. When I was fourteen I designed a
teacher teddy with a little knitted book and mortarboard and sent it to a
magazine to be turn’t down due to my age.
Who have you designed for?
I have designed for many magazines and yarn mills
around the world, including celebrity clients, and a few designer labels like
Gucci, Prada and Next.
When did you become an author?
I always wanted to write about knitting from
an early age, so when I was approached by Dover Publications back in early 2015
I jumped at the chance. Since then I have written 3 books, Knitted Toys, Baby
Knits and Cable Knits.
Why did you make your own yarn line?
I commissioned a yarn mill to spin my own yarn
range in late 2015. I did this because there is nothing better than designing
patterns using a yarn your passionate about. There has been several times I
would design with magazines and they change the yarn and send you something
that doesn't work or look as good. Having my own range I can push my designs to
the limit.
What do you like knitting best?
This is a difficult question, because I love
knitting everything from socks, hats, toys to garments. I guess I prefer to
design and knit toys and baby garments.
What are you working on with HOCHANDA TV?
I’m so pleased to have the opportunity to work
with HOCHANDA on a few projects. I have a couple of teddy kits and teddy
clothing kits coming to the show along with a Nordic cushion and throw kit.
What are you looking forward to joining
HOCHANDA TV?
I'm looking forward to sharing my wealth of
knitting knowledge and tips with all of the viewers and get people
knitting!
What would you say to help people start
knitting?
Knitting is fun, relaxing and creative! Just
remember if you have not knitted before, knitting is a stitch by stitch craft
so therefore take it step by step and stitch by stitch. Once the basic cast on
and off, Knit and Purl have been mastered your away to knitting just about
anything you can imagine.
Don’t forget to
tune in on 9th April for Jody’s first shows!
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