Maggie's Rags Original Handknit Designs: About Us

About Maggie's Rags^TM

Maggie

Margaret Radcliffe is the author of the bestselling Knitting Answer Book, The Essential Guide to Color Knitting Techniques, Circular Knitting Workshop, and The Knowledgeable Knitter. Margaret has taught knitting since 1991 and began publishing her designs in a line of knitting patterns under the name Maggie’s Rags in 1997.

Margaret’s books explore knitting techniques at a depth well beyond what’s usually presented, in a way that makes both the techniques and their appropriate uses clear to readers. As a designer, her specialty is rewarding garments that look complicated but rely on the simplest knitting techniques. As a teacher, Margaret enthusiastically teaches everything from beginning knitting to garment design, and is acclaimed for her ability to help all knitters to develop their independence and creativity.

Margaret's many teaching venues for knitting and dyeing have included the John C. Campbell Folk School, the Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair (SAFF), Knitters’ Day Out, Houston Fiber Fest, the Madrona Fiberarts Winter Retreat, the Schooner J&E Riggin out of Rockland, Maine, online fiber challenges for The Livestock Conservancy, plus numerous shops and fiber guilds across the U.S. and into Canada.

Like many knitters and spinners, Margaret has had a long and varied career. She has degrees in Medieval Studies and English Literature, has been an internal auditor, computer programmer, business executive, research administrator, dancer, and editor. Her current fiber arts interests include preparing, spinning, and designing handknits using heritage breeds and participation in The Livestock Conservancy’s Shave ’Em to Save ’Em program.

Thanks to Margaret's extensive background in technical writing, editing, and publishing, the patterns distributed by Maggie's Rags™ are clear and well written. We make a serious commitment to error-free patterns, and test every pattern extensively. If you ever have a problem with one of our patterns, please contact us.

Questions or suggestions? Contact us