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Course dates 2018

Course Completed

Profile

Marie Wallin runs her own design company complete with website and blog. She also publishes her own books and kits and holds popular creative workshops.

Marie works in close collaboration with Rowan where she was Head Designer for Rowan. Rowan is the internationally renowned design-led luxury hand-knit yarn company, based in West Yorkshire, England. It is an an ethically conscious brand, with an emphasis on creating luxury, premium yarns sourced from organic, natural fibres.

During the 8 years she was with the Rowan team, Marie built up a global reputation for her beautiful patterns, colourwork and stitch designs as well as her skill for art directing and styling the renowned Rowan magazine and some of the Rowan dedicated yarn brochures.

Marie was born in Bolton in 1964 and after a science-based education went on to pursue her first love of art and design by studying a degree in Knitwear Design & Technology at Leicester Polytechnic – now De Montfort University.

On graduating with 1st Class BSc Hons in 1986, Marie briefly worked for a small knitwear company in Nottingham before starting her own label in 1988. Under her label she successfully sold hand-knit and machine-knit designs to the US, Japan and several outlets throughout the UK. In 1991 Marie went back to designing knitwear for High Street retailers, such as Next, Burton, BHS and Debenhams.

Working for Rowan is a dream come true for Marie, as she has always admired the beautiful yarns and colours. "I get very inspired by seeing beautiful textiles and crafts, especially from North Africa, South America and India. I love to put colour together to create interesting fabric designs in both knitting and crochet. Working with Rowan has given me the opportunity to develop my love of colour and pattern and to create beautiful knitwear that I hope everyone will love to wear".

Marie Wallin's Book Windswept

In May 2013 Marie became freelance but still continues to make a major contribution to Rowan as well as developing her career as an independent designer and workshop teacher. Her first exclusive book 'Windswept' will be launched on the 1st March 2014 and will be available to buy from Rowan stockists and Marie's website: www.mariewallin.com.

Marie lives in a cottage in a small rural village called Hoby, Leicestershire, England. She is happily married and is the proud owner of two lively German Short-haired Pointer dogs, called Norah and Nelly. Her hobbies include walking, cooking, gardening and painting (when she has the time!)

Knitting projects

Knitting project - Moss Tile Cushion
Knitting project - Fairisle Tam

Marie has not yet finalised the two special projects she will bring to work on in 2018, but they will be similar to 2017, probably with a Fairisle project and a new stitch to try. Meanwhile, here are the 2017 projects, to whet your appetite.

Marie will be working on two projects over the holiday and, as well as workshops at the mill, we'll also, excitingly, be working at a privately owned ex- monastery and in the grounds of a fabulous hill-top restaurant.

Mosaic

This will be an introduction to Mosaic knitting, creating a Mosaic scarf with Rowan Felted Tweed

Fairisle

An introduction to Fairisle – you'll make a fabulous Fairisle Tam in Jamieson's of Shetland Spindrift.  Marie will show you how to knit fairisle in an easy and neat way whilst keeping your yarns untwisted.  She will also be showing you the two-handed method of creating fairisle.. 

Note: - All the yarn for these projects will be provided free of charge.  You just bring your needles: we'll let you know exactly which ones nearer the time.

Praise


Thank you so much for your wonderful Watermill hospitality last week. It was a brilliant week which could not have been bettered. Utterly brilliant! Perfect hosts, fabulous food... AW


Thank you so much for making my holiday in Tuscany perfect. I had a wonderful time and have so many happy memories; wonderful company, weather, food and trips out, not to mention all the knitting time and help from Marie and Gwyneth. I am already looking forward to coming to The Watermill again next July. Thank you once again for a fabulous holiday. EH


The best Knitting holiday ever. Great hosts, staff, tutor (Marie & Gwyneth), location and fantastic weather. Everything organised for you so you can just relax and enjoy Knitting, doing nothing and great trips out. Would definitely recommend and return to the Watermill. P


This was the best gift I've ever given myself and I will cherish the memory forever. I loved everything; the location, accommodations, amazing food, being with friends, making new ones, walks in the Italian countryside, learning fantastic new knitting skills and not having to worry about anything. It was everything I dreamed of and more. Marie Wallin is an amazing teacher and person. KS


"Well, everyone, it was an absolute stunner. We all had a great time. Lovely patterns and yarn with instructions from Marie... Anyone wondering about attending Marie's future workshops, don't wonder - just book and enjoy." - ML


"Thank you for the lovely workshop... the ideas that you presented got all of our wheels spinning. You had a unanimously positive review from all of the ladies at breakfast on Sunday morning. I also wanted to tell you how glad I was to meet you. I have long admired your designs, but now that I have a fuller understanding of your job, I am truly astounded by all that you do. Worth every train, plane, and automobile I had to take to get up there!" - CF


"This workshop stood out because we actually ended up with a proper kit, we were all given 6 balls of Felted Tweed and were supplied with the lovely scarf pattern and we also had three other patterns for using up the odds and ends left over from knitting the scarf. I would rather pay more for the workshop and end up with something lovely like this to complete at home. We all just sat and knitted and chatted... There was no pressure to knit faster to get to a certain point, we all worked steadily at our own pace." - DA