Setting up her own Design Studio on leaving College seemed a natural progression, and this she duly did in 1977. However as she was the first fashion designer to set up in Northern Ireland there were quite a few hurdles to overcome, but as usual 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... In 1994 her designs won the Guinness Special Award for Design Excellence and second in the 1996 international Mohair Association Competition for the most innovative ladies garment, to name but a few. Recently her achievements have won her a place in the Who's Who in Textiles 2003 publication. Innovation is the key to Maggie Jackson's continuing success story... She combines traditional fabrics like Irish Linen with denim, mohair and tweed yarns in a signature style that is uniquely Maggiknits. Steeped in history, the Aran Knitting technique dates back hundreds of years to the Isles of Aran in the mouths of Galway Bay. The technique was pioneered by the menfolk - fishermen used to repairing nets and making ropes - contrary to the popular opinion that Knitting is a womanly craft!