Maggie Jackson was brought up on a small dairy farm in the rolling countryside close to the Linen Town of Lisburn in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. As a young child she would sit entranced, watching her mother's nimble fingers click needles through the long winter nights, knitting warm wool sweaters for her family. Maggie, at six years old, took up her own miniature set of needles and began her journey from quiet farmer's daughter to award-winning international knitwear designer! Quickly becoming accomplished with her needles, Maggie began creating her own patterns and designs at the age of 12. Later, Maggie studied fashion at The College of Art and Design, and in her post-graduate year in Fashion Knitwear was awarded the highest marks in the history of the college. In a cottage style business, she was the first fashion designer to set up in a then troubled Northern Ireland in 1977. Overcoming a few hurdles, Maggie's natural determination and fortitude saw her through. A string of design awards followed, and Maggie's entrepreneurial skills won her the coveted title of Northern Ireland "Young Business and Professional Woman of the Year" in 1989 and runner up in the United Kingdom. Followed by the "Guinness Special Award for Design Excellence" and second in the International Mohair Association Competition for the most innovative ladies garment, her achievements have won her a place in the "Who's Who in Textiles" in the United Kingdom. Maggie Jackson Photograph courtesy of XRX-inc This is only naming a few of her achievements, and with innovation being the key to Maggie Jackson's continuing success story she endeavoured to extend internationally her signature style that is uniquely Maggiknits.