Maggie's Ireland: Designer Knits on Location (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Alexis Xenakis (Photographer)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This splendid collection of designer handknits features photographs shot in beautiful Northern Ireland. With more than 40 projects, there are pieces suited for every season and shape that take knitters from the beach to the ballroom. Jackson brings a fashion designer's approach to handknits, showing knitters how simple stitches can create lines and blocks of texture. Traditional yarns-Irish tweeds and linens-and a few exotics materials such as strips of chambray, denim, gingham, and fur are combined to create innovative designs for women, men, and children. Highlighting each design are photographs from locations around Northern Ireland, including Giant's Causeway, Mussenden Temple, the Mourne Mountains, Queen's University, the Ulster Folk Museum, and historic Slieve Donard Hotel.

About the Author

Maggie Jackson has had a career in fashion design, and her knit kits have been available in select shops throughout the United States, Great Britain, and Ireland. She lives in County Armagh, Northern Ireland.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 168 pages
• Publisher: Xrx Books (April 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1893762181
• ISBN-13: 978-1893762183
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 11.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #776,543 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cookie Cutter Knitters Need Not Apply, August 2, 2007

By	Wolf in Sheep's Clothing "Up Late Every NIght... (in the dry, hot, dark of the desert) - See all my reviews

What a breath of fresh air!

I opened this book and was remided that knitting -- and textiles, design, and clothing -- have the potential to be both art and craft simultaneously. It doen't necessarily happen often, but it does happen... and it happens here in "Maggie's Ireland."

Beyond mere function (warmth and protection from the elements) the spun fleece of goats, rabbits, llamas, and fat little sheep and lambs have the potential to become wearable works of art, with all the aesthetic leaps of faith that implies.

These garments are not cardis, jumpers, pullovers, t-shirts, and socks -- all fine knitted goods in their own right. Instead, they go beyond just being what we need to survive -- they are the dusters, wraps and delights of imagination that refuse to conform to expectations and preconceptions of what handknitted craft should be. These are not mass produced ideas, and there won't be 16 people in your knitting circle all wearing the same raglan sleeved, solid color cardigan with 2 inches of ribbing at the bottom from this book. The designs instead take us from simply what we NEED to survive into the far reaches of what we WANT and what we revel in.

This is a book full of inspiration for those who require inspiration before committing their time, energy, and the fleece of some generous animal to hours of focus and imagination.

Moreover, the book itself is beautiful -- filled with the lush greens of Ireland that most folks never get to see for themselves and so just assume it's all a matter of Madison Avenue invention. But the colors and the knitting are both real -- and have the combined aesthetic impact of nature's overwhelming possibilities.

This is the work of dreamers and communicators. Every garment and object says something distinct and emotional about its maker and its wearer.

If you want servicable, econimical, and hard wearing, go to Walmart and get yourself some acrylic yarn.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing, March 19, 2007

By	R. R. Brown (Phoenix, AZ United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Not at all what I expected. The photography is beautiful, but with the exception of about two patterns (the only two I'd seen before I bought the book - big mistake!), every pattern seems to be a boxy, shapeless tube made in funky raggedy knitting - more pop art than garment, reminiscent of the seventies. There are some very cute and funky hats ... but most of the sweaters I won't ever make.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Breathtaking Handknits, July 17, 2007

By	Knitting by the Sea (Laguna Beach, CA) - See all my reviews

The designs in this book are amazingly beautiful. Maggie uses a lot of interesting, but uncomplicated texture in her handknits. With simple garter ridges, bobbles, tubes, slits, and seed (moss) stiches, her designs are undeniably breathtaking. I love how she mixes natural fibers such as mohair and linen to produce lovely, attention-getting garments. Maggie's artistry is absolutely inspiring. You won't find the typical stockinette cardigan or ho-hum pullover in her book. Instead, you will find creative designs that many will notice when you knit one. Thank you, Maggie, for sharing your awesome designs. Your book is wonderful!