Saddle Shoulder and Marled Colourwork workshop with Maaike van Geijn

What you'll learning during this workshop:

• Knit your own mini saddle vest construction in the workshop;
• Learn how to use marled colourwork in the mini vest;
• Explore the fascinating saddle shoulder construction;
• Discover marled colourwork to create rich, layered effects;
• Get design insights and tips on garment fit & knitting.

The workshop is inspired by Maaike’s Grafiet Sweater featured in Laine Magazine 22, a seamless set-in-sleeve design featuring the saddle shoulder technique and her unique approach to marled colourwork. Together, we’ll knit a mini Grafiet Saddle construction to explore the saddle shoulder-starting from two rectangular saddle pieces and building the rest of the vest from there.

You’ll also learn how Maaike uses marled colourwork to create rich, layered effects, and practice this technique in your own mini saddle version.Maaike will bring samples and swatches from her Grafiet sweater & vest ánd her new Dons saddle cardigan from Laine magazine 27, for you to study and try on.

What to bring:

If you have your own 5mm (dpn or circular) needles, basic knitting tools and yarn, you are more than welcome to bring them along, otherwise we will have supplies available to buy in-store especially for this class. Having 4.5mm and 5.5mm needles is also advisable.

Recommended yarn:

• 1 ball/skein Main Colour (MC): a light coloured airy bulky yarn such as Camarose Snefnug.
• 1 ball/skein Contrast Colour (CC): a dark(er) airy bulky yarn such as Camarose Snefnug OR any Fingering weight held double or DK weight held single.

You can purchase the recommended yarnhere and choose pick up in store, alternatively you can bring your own yarn.

About the teacher:

Maaike van Geijn was born in the Netherlands and grew up between the US and Haarlem. She now lives with her family in Schoorl, a small town by the sea, dunes and woods. Maaike studied theatre costumes and did her master's degree in Theatre Studies.

In her designs Maaike looks for elegance but also likes her work to be playful, either in shape or colour. Above all, Maaike wants her designs to be a pleasant knitting experience, so that knitters can really enjoy the process.

Maaike’s work has been published by a.o. Laine magazine & books, La Bien Aimée, Kate Davies, Erika Knight yarns, John Arbon Textiles and PRU yarns. She also teaches workshops on festivals and in yarn shops all over Europe.

Customer Cancellation policy: 

Full refund up to and including 9th January 2026. 50% refund up to 72 hours before the event. Less than 72 notice or no-show will be charged at full fee.