2023 Summer Sweater KAL: Jody Long's Verdi

Want to make a summer sweater? 

Join us for our Jody Long Verdi KAL starting April 28th. Verdi was the most popular pattern during Jody's recent US LYS Tour and proved same for our customers. Hence the KAL!

Meet-ups are during our regular Friday sessions12-2pm. Come pick out yarn, get your pattern, choose size etc. Then cast on your swatch (yes....swatching a must!), knit up your sweater and (hopefully) you'll be wearing it by June! Join us when you can make it, or need help...or encouragement...or as an excuse to just sit and knit for a few hours. Weather finally turning warmer so patio table ready and waiting for us to work away at on our Verdi sweaters! Might try to get a zoom session with Jody to show off our finished sweaters if his schedule allows. 

Verdi uses a new yarn Lino Moda, a perfect DK linen/cotton blend. The strength of linen pairs beautifully with soft cotton for a yarn that holds it shape and wears well over time. Great for all things baby, kids and garments.

Colors are delightfully tonal. This is achieved since each fiber takes the dye differently. Creates a tonal marl effect.  This imparts a rich depth to finished items, be they garments, baby blankets, tote bags, crochet projects..... all are wonderful. It's a great 

KAL are great way to work collectively with others on same pattern. It helps to have others in same boat, as we all work our way to the finish line. We can help each other with the tricky bits, offer tips and tricks along the way, and provide encouragement when the knitting gets boring! Kim's got swatches made and will help initiate you to the joys of swatching! Can't avoid that crucial step when making garments. Our Lino Moda order arrived and already a reorder on it's way (few colors sold out fast!). Come by the shop to see pattern and yarns to see if you're up for the challenge. 

Join us for the Spring Sweater KAL

starting April 28th from 12-2pm! 

Jody Long Event Recap

Our Jody event in March was a blast and super informative. We learned all about Jody's personal background, his attention to tailoring details of his patterns (thanks to his Grandmother....a Royal Tailor to Queen Elizabeth!) and his love of designing flattering garments with little modern touches. How he'd skip school to knit in the woods by his house. His career trajectory and shocking ability to crank out a finished sweater in just a few days. 

Grateful for our lovely model, Brig! She's now ready to tour the world with Jodi as his fit model. Our handsome sales rep Joseph happily played dress up as well, in addition to escorting Jody around on the tour. 

Having piles of Jody's hand knit garments to see and try on was awesome. Makes a huge difference. As a result of this event we brought in Coastline, an aran weight cotton blend we hadn't brought into shop before. After seeing how great it works up, we said "yep! we need this yarn too!" 

Another important fact: Jody prefers to sweaters in pieces, not top down. This allows for a better constructed garment that is more flattering to wear. I know...I hear the groans of "I hate seaming," but if you're wanting sweaters to fit and flatter....rethink avoiding seams. He's not totally averse to in the round patterns....but only when the fit of the final garment is enhanced by this method. Think of knitting in round like a pole, with the rounds slanted up as you go. When put on a body there's a subtle twist to the garment that can be less than flattering. Hence his preference for pieces vs. "tubes". 

We also learned Jody is one of world's fastest knitters! He clocks in just behind the official world champion. We hear they're going to have knit off one of these days and he hopes to become #1! It was mesmerizing watching how fast his fingers fly! No wonder he can design so many patterns each year. He can finish a sweater in 3 days or so, a shawl in 2 nights. Truly impressive! 

Despite the very stormy, windy, blustery, wet, wild day.....we have perfect turn out. About 20ish total. Thank you everyone for braving the elements! Jody loved it! His future plans next year's tour involve classes and workshops! Thank you Mom for making your awesome Clam Chowder and tons of cookies! 

Most importantly we learned he never uses this typical pattern writing shortcut "just reverse shaping"  when it's time to make the right or left fronts. Instead he writes all the parts of his pattern out so it's easy to follow!! That "just reverse shaping" is one of our pet bugaboos (Jody's too) and a real PITA. Now we foresee many Jody Long sweater patterns being knit at maisieblue in the future! Yippee!....Kim can cast on more sweaters!!! But don't hold your breath she'll finish them any time soon..... LOL