Maggie's Ireland: Designer Knits on Location

by Maggie Jackson, Alexis Xenakis (Photographer)

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.

Genres: Knitting, Nonfiction

168 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2004

Reviews

[Mckinley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting shaping and patterns.

[Kerry Boerst · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is, quite possibly, my least favorite knitting book ever. The locations and photos were beautiful and I appreciated the added recipes at the end of the book. The knitting projects missed the mark entirely. I appreciate that Maggie Jackson is a has designed a series of patterns that she sees as fashionable I found that none of them fit my taste and there was not a single project in the book that I would be willing to spend the time and yarn making.

The photos were worth a 5 star rating and the patterns were worth none so my rating ended up with just one sad little star. :(

[notgettingenough · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's lavish, it's weird, it's got food in it. Did I mention it's weird? I'm just not sure about her stuff. Will you get away with wearing it in ten years' time? I've bought the yarn for one of these patterns, but it's in a box somewhere. The book's in another box somewhere. Frankly, in ten years' time I don't think the two will have yet met up again. Sigh.