Traditional trades, crafts and skills Books

Book SynopsisLearn to improve your crochet techniques, working your way up from beginner projects through to more challenging later patterns. Each animal uses only basic stitches and there’s step-by-step instructions that mean this is the perfect book to learn to crochet. Enter a whole new world of 50 animal crochet patterns from bestselling author Kerry Lord. Crochet your way through this new collection of easy-to-make amigurumi characters – from a philosophical sloth and a chess-playing armadillo to a very fluffy Angora bunny who loves her job in customer service. Learn to improve your crochet techniques, working up from the beginner projects through to the more challenging later patterns. Each animal uses only basic stiches and there’s step-by-step instructions that mean this is the perfect book to learn to crochet. Each animal follows Kerry’s basic standard form, so if you can make one animal from the book, you can learn to make them all. Level one patterns: Hare; Alpaca; Tapir; Camel; Wombat; Kangaroo; Buffalo; Warthog.Level two patterns: Woodmouse; Meerkat; Oryx; Rat; Arctic Hare; Mouse; Beaver; Quokka; Ox; Possum; White Tiger; Three-toed Sloth; Platypus; Mole; Black and White Ruffed Lemur; Echidna; Tasmanian Devil.Level three patterns: Arctic Fox; Reindeer; Chinchilla; Moose; Giant Anteater; Fennec Fox; Llama; Baboon; Badger; Gibbon; Okapi; Otter; Fallow Stag; Angora Rabbit; Sloth Bear; Leopard; Muskox; Boer Goat; Shire Horse; Armadillo; Snow Leopard; Skunk; Flying Fox; Lynx; Red Panda.Trade Review'A lovely collection of cleverly designed, adorable projects' * Knitting *'Kerry has perfectly crafted every animal again’ * Crochet Now *'Incredible patterns' * Let’s Knit *

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Book SynopsisWilderness Knits for the Home is Linka Neumann’s second book, showcasing a stunning collection of homeware knits to make while embracing the Scandinavian spirit and cosying up next to a warm fire. After the success of Wilderness Knits, with its cosy jumpers and cardigans set against the backdrop of the Norwegian landscape, Linka brings us gorgeous wall hangings, cushions, blankets (including for your dog!) and more. Once again, set in the stunning Norwegian countryside, the book inspires you to knit these beautiful creations and embrace the aesthetic of the Scandinavian wilderness. As ever, Linka uses her environment to inspire her as well as animals from the snowy north – with dogs, orcas, polar bears and reindeers finding their way into her designs. If making jumpers and cardigans with Scandi-style yokes feels too complicated for you, these simpler shapes of squares and rectangles will give you the confidence to make your own creations with similar designs. Including 27 projects – all with knitting diagrams and inspirational photography – you will be knitting presents for all your friends and family as well as for your own home in no time.Trade ReviewPraise for Wilderness Knits: ‘These knits will keep ramblers warm and dry for a lifetime of adventuring’ – Let’s Knit ‘Super-cosy jumpers and cardigans’ – The Knitter ‘Exceptional pieces’ –The Scandi Edit

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Book SynopsisThe Practical Watch Escapement explains the action of the escapement in terms accessible to both expert and layman.One of George Daniels'' central contributions to horology is his co-axial escapement. Having observed that the dominant lever escapement begins to change its rate after a year or two - a disturbance caused by the sliding action of the impulse elements of the escapement - Daniels set about developing a mechanism that avoided this problem.The result of his efforts was the co-axial escapement, a mechanism in which he sought to combine the strengths and eliminate the deficiencies of existing watch escapements, the lever escapement foremost among them. First devised in 1977, today it remains largely the same as fitted in watches of Daniels'' own manufacture, as well as those of several wrist-watch manufacturers.The text is accompanied by a series of detailed line drawings.Table of ContentsForeword Introduction General Principles Verge Escapement Cylinder Escapement Virgule Escapement Duplex Escapement Lever Escapement Escaping Angle Lever Angle The Draw Angle The Balance Roller The Pallets and Escape Wheel Detent Escapement The Unlocking Angle The Angle of Draw The Locking Stone Pivoted Detent The Impulse Angle Radial Impulse at Each Vibration Robin Escapement Echappement Naturel Summary Detached Escapements without lubricant Independent Double Wheel Escapement Double Radial Impulse with Single Wheel Co-Axial Escapement Extra Flat Co-Axial Escapement Symmetrical Co-Axial Escapement Photographic Plates

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Book SynopsisOak-framed Buildings is a practical and inspiring guide to their design and construction, written by expert craftsman Rupert Newman. Oak-framed buildings have been with us for centuries and they are here to stay. They are beautiful, durable and environmentally friendly, and by marrying traditional and modern materials they can be brought to a very high standard of energy-efficiency. This is a practical book on the technique of timber-frame construction for carpenters, builders and aspiring self-builders, but it will also be a source of inspiration to anyone who appreciates beautiful buildings. Full-colour photographs show projects by the author and others both complete and under construction, and structural details are clearly explained both in photographs and in three-dimensional drawings. Here is a traditional craft brought fully up to date for the 21st century. Topics covered include: past and present, making a start, understanding the structure, frame design, the construction process, raising the frame, walls and roofs, second fix, finishing off, and future of timber building. Revised and updated edition A comprehensive and practical handbook for experienced carpenters and an inspirational and informative guide for anyone interested in owning their own oak-framed building Covers all stages of construction, from coming up with a budget and choosing land, through designing, making and raising a frame to adding the roof, walls and floors and finishing off Features colour photographs, illustrations and three-dimensional drawings throughout Trade ReviewNearly 200 well-laid-out pages, clearly-written text, finely-drawn diagrams and great photographs; at just shy of £25, it’s worth every penny. But does the author manage to be inspirational? Let’s put it like this: if I were a young man, I’d build myself a summerhouse using this book, send photos of it to the author with a note saying, ‘Please Mr Newman, give me a job’. * The Woodworker magazine *Table of ContentsIntroduction A Brief History of Timber Framing Starting Off Case Study 1: From Tragic Beginnings to a Triumphant End Designing Frames Case Study 2: The Minstrel Frame The Structural Qualities of Oak Making Frames 89 Raising Frames Case Study 3: Oak Frame and Structurally Insulated Panels The Building Envelope Case Study 4: Sustainability at the Gateway Centre Finishing Details Further Reading Useful Contacts Glossary Index

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Book SynopsisA guide to green woodworking, with detailed patterns to create beautiful projects. Discover hundreds of projects for working with unseasoned wood in this essential book. Ray Tabor, an unparalleled expert in green woodworking guides you through this old, traditional craft. Whether you are new to the craft and are looking for a simple project like a spoon or a bowl or want something challenging, you will find it here. The 300 patterns for the home and garden range from wattle gates to lemon juicers, from chairs, benches and stools to baskets, whistles and door wedges. Green woodworking involves the use of freshly felled timber (unseasoned wood), and embraces a number of traditional woodland crafts, including turning and carving. All patterns come with detailed dimensions in both metric and imperial. Each item has annotated black-and-white patterns, a brief description, historical information and details of the materials that should be used. Includes the simplest of woodland designs to more advanced, with something to suit every skill level. Both a historical record and a sourcebook for those looking to use their green woodworking skills to make traditional items of beauty, this is the perfect book for anyone interested in whittling, woodland crafts and woodworking.Trade Review‘Packed with tips and clear explanations’ The Countryman

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Book SynopsisSkilled artisans at the heart of human civilization since the Iron Age, blacksmiths gained the respect of their communities through the utility of their creations, whether these were weapons, armour, farming tools, wagon axles or household items. Industrialization and mass production may have led to the disappearance of the blacksmith from everyday life, but the art of metalworking is alive and well. Today, blacksmithing is still practised throughout the world and is experiencing a revival. Blacksmithing provides a photographic introduction to blacksmith practices today, offering the novice and enthusiast an insight into this ancient trade. Learn how blacksmiths heat the metal using a variety of methods, including electric induction and traditional coal-fired forges; see the huge range of items that a metalworker can produce, including wrenches, shovels, door plates, bicycle stands and railings; see craftspeople practicing specialist metalworking techniques, such as upsetting, collaring, twisting, fullering and swaging; and understand how blacksmiths respect the environment by using old iron ore and scrap iron. Illustrated with 180 photographs that will inspire and delight, Blacksmithing is a dazzling pictorial celebration of a craft as old as civilization itself.Table of ContentsContents:Basics of Blacksmithing What is Blacksmithing? History; farrowing; what blacksmiths made through the ages Artistic sculpture work today How anvils were made Blacksmith in local community Schools of blacksmithing: Pittsburg, Hereford, etcBasic Techniques The fundamentals Forging and hammering Drawing; Upsetting Bending/scrolling Punching Setting down Shrinking/tapering Tempering quench Cutting, flattening, collaring, dishing, welding Metals types: brass, iron, steel Soldering; rivetting; weldingThe Productive Workshop Lighting and ventilation Risk of burning other metalsHammers Hammer types: cross pein; ball; straight; lump; sledge 2–2.5lb – regular use; 3lb plus – persuading hammer / sledge Smith and striking Hammer rhythm – tapping the face of the anvil Wood handles – different lengths; Plastic handles Steel hammers; Factory-made hammers Hammer maintenanceTongs Different types and uses Bits and jaws Handles and reins Face plate Fire welded reins for extra length Flat bit – hollow, round, square Shots of blacksmith holding tongs by hand Wearing leather gloves while using tongs Adjusting – heating and reshaping —loosening and tighteningAnvil tools Rasps Wire brushesForge types and fuels Sold fuel forges - coal, charcoal or coke —Two types of solid fuel: Bottom blast and side blast —Can be bellows or fan operated Gas forges; solid fuel forges —Gas forges 2 types: Refracted cement and ceremic blanketForgeable steels and iron and warningsHardening and tempering Red hot, cherry hot, white hot etcProjects 1 Decorative leaf keyring 2 Punch 3 Hot cut tool 4 Bottle opener 5 Forged rose 6 Flat bit tongs 7 Utility / hunting knifeGlossary of Terms

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Book SynopsisIn succession with Blacksmith's Craft and Wrought Ironwork, Decorative Ironwork is a facsimile edition of the original 1963 instruction manual for intermediate to advanced blacksmiths. By applying all previous techniques learned to forge and form the designs of 7 decorative iron grilles, each detailed lesson is intended to be closely studied in conjunction with one another. With step-by-step photography, helpful diagrams, and a convenient conversion chart, gain a deeper understanding of the craft with this final textbook. Once completed and mastered, this manual will arm you with vital skills that are applicable to the entire field of decorative ironwork.

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Book SynopsisTwenty-eight years after its first publication, the best-selling Watchmaking continues to inspire and encourage the art of watchmaking, especially among new generations of enthusiasts. As a supreme master of his art, George Daniels'' advice is constantly sought by both students and watch repairers, his understanding of the problems that can beset the would-be watchmaker, especially in an age of mass production, and his expert knowledge of the history of watchmaking being second to none.Here, the making of the precision timekeeper is described step-by-step and illustrated at each stage with line drawings and brief explanatory captions. The text is easy to follow and care has been taken to avoid complicated technical descriptions. As Daniels is particularly interested in the development of the escapement - many are described in this book, several of his own design - the reader is encouraged to explore this aspect of watchmaking in even greater detail.This classiTrade ReviewI truly believe that this book [...] will be held in high esteem both by its future collectors, as well as by the common watch enthusiast looking for a publication that summarizes their favorite hobby and presents its secrets in an easily understandable way. * A Blog to Watch *Watchmaking by George Daniels is a very fascinating book, a must read for everybody interested in the watchmaking. * www.learnwatchmaking.com *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Preface to the Third Edition Preface The Colour Plates 1. Workshop and Equipment 2. Hand Tools 3. Finishing Steel and Brass 4. Turning 5. Wheels and Pinions 6. Making Small Components 7. Jewelling 8. Escapements 9. Mainsprings and Accessories 10. Movement Design 11. The Balance and Spring 12. Casemaking 13. Engine-Turned Cases and Dials Select Bibliography Appendices Index

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Book SynopsisThe first comprehensive study of William Ince and John Mayhew’s famous eighteenth-century cabinetmaking partnership, complemented by high-quality photographs of their work. The partnership of William Ince (1737–1804) and John Mayhew (1736–1811) ran from 1758 to 1804, and was one of the most enduring and well-connected collaborations in Georgian London’s tight-knit cabinetmaking community. The partners’ clientele was probably larger, and their work was arguably more influential over a longer period, than most other leading metropolitan makers – perhaps even than that of their older contemporary, the celebrated Thomas Chippendale. Despite their considerable output and an impressive tally of clients and commissions, much of Ince and Mayhew’s work has remained unidentified until recent times. The authors’ substantial research in private family archives, county record offices and bank archives has allowed them to uncover much new evidence about the business and its influence within cabinetmaking circles. In Industry and Ingenuity, the results of these new investigations are presented alongside an impressive selection of more than 500 colourful, vibrant photographs of Ince and Mayhew’s works, many previously unpublished, which together emphasise the partnership’s proper position in the pantheon of great eighteenth-century cabinetmakers.Trade ReviewThis handsome and magisterial work, the distilled harvest of forty years’ research, presents a comprehensive account of the great neo-classical cabinetmaking partnership of William Ince and John Mayhew. They have indeed been accorded their rightful place alongside Chippendale, an achievement to celebrate. -- Simon Swynfen Jervis, President of the Furniture History SocietyThis welcome and beautiful book restores Ince and Mayhew, Georgian English furniture makers, to the pantheon of leading British designers and craftsmen and retrieves them from ‘historical oblivion’. * Country Life *This book, so long awaited, is no disappointment. It has been a prodigious undertaking and has brought into clear light the full extent of the creativity of this leading firm. * Furniture History Society *This splendid book is a welcome addition to the corpus of scholarly publications on English furniture makers of the 18th century… It is a truly impressive achievement. * The Georgian *Table of ContentsPreface PART ONE: THE BUSINESS Apprenticeship and Partnership Premises and Family Role of the Partners The Universal System of Houshold Furniture Branches of the Business Workshop Management Accounting and Finance Clientele Relationship with Architects 'House Style' and Stylistic Development Dissolution of the Partnership The Suit in Chancery PART TWO: COMMISSIONS Documented Commissions Possible Commissions PART THREE: ILLUSTRATIONS Select Bibliography (with Abbreviations) Photographic Credits Acknowledgements Index

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Book SynopsisThe classic text on coppicing and woodland crafts, redesigned for a new generation of woodspeople. If you’re lucky enough to have access to a patch of woodland, this book contains everything you need to set up, manage and profit from a thriving coppice. But even if you don’t, there’s plenty of information on traditional woodland crafts here for you: learn how to work with bought coppiced wood to make all manner of products, from the archetypal besom broom and humble tent pegs to sturdy gate hurdles. Woodland crafts expert Ray Tabor guides you through a range of heritage woodland conservation methods. He introduces the best tools for each job – the time-honoured woodsman’s billhook being the most important of all – and the devices you’ll need. He shows how to select wood for each purpose, from ash, traditionally used for tool handles, to chestnut for making perfect fences. There’s also an in-depth exploration of the essential art of riving (splitting wooden poles by hand). Full of invaluable advice, historical information, useful diagrams and evocative photography, this book will help you reconnect to nature and the environment, and gain immense pleasure from creating beautiful crafted products using heritage methods.Trade Review‘Tabor is to be congratulated on making it easier to start using green wood that other books seem to make out.’ Andy Hancock Green Woodworker

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Book SynopsisBuy this gorgeous, feel good and heartwarming romance for a slice of escapism to the Swiss alps! Christmas magic at the turn of a pageTransports you right to the heart of the most magical Christmas a snow covered chalet, a lovely community and a gorgeous tummy flip worthy man.' Real Reader Review, ?????Life has gone a little bit downhill for Naomi WintersEver since her ex-husband Ollie filed for a divorce last Christmas, Naomi is a self-confessed scrooge. She hates her job, has exactly zero hobbies, and on top of that she's all alone this holiday season.Spurred on by her best-friend Mia who has invited her to spend Christmas at her snow-kissed Chateau in the Swiss Alps she decides it's time for change.But, when she arrives, she's shocked to see Mia's big brother Gabriel. It's been fifteen years since they last saw eachother, forcing her to face memories she'd rather forget.As Naomi grapples with getting her life back on track, she throws herself into various festive activities, and Trade Review Praise for Christmas at the Chateau: ‘Christmas at the Chateau is the perfect festive book to escape into!’ Kitty Wilson, author of Cornish Village School series

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Book SynopsisAlan Micklethwaite, a stone carver with many years' experience in the conservation of historic monuments and sculpture, introduces the reader to the techniques and methodology of restoration stone carving, from simple relief to complex sculpture in the round, set against a sound conservation philosophy.Table of ContentsDetailed step by step case studies of actual restoration carving projects Full and in-depth description of tools and the techniques of their use Fully illustrated with detailed sequence photographs of work in progress from start to finish Provides a thorough theoretical background for conservation philosophy, the material science of stone and its art historical use Written by a renowned stone carver with more than twenty years experience in the restoration and conservation of historic stone buildings

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Book SynopsisAn exploration of traditional British craftsmanship, accompanying the prime time BBC TV series presented by Monty Don. It celebrates various aspects of rural crafts including woodcraft, thatching, weaving, stone masonry, metalwork and glass making. It showcases some of Britain's leading master craftsmen.

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Book Synopsis''A warm, funny, uplifting writer to celebrate!'' KATIE FFORDEIf you love Lucy Diamond, Phillipa Ashley, Sue Moorcroft and Holly Martin, you''ll LOVE Erin Green''s novels of love, life and laughter!''A lovely, heart-warming story of three very different women trying to change their lives for the better . . . I was hooked! I hope there will be many more books in this lovely series!'' CHRISTINA COURTENAY''A delicious Shetland setting and the exquisite writing of Green, come together for a delightful tale of friendship, family and love'' JENNI KEERReaders are enchanted!''A lovely Christmas read . . . made me feel good. Excellent''''An essential for anyone''s pre-Christmas light and relaxing reading list''''I couldn''t put this book down it was that good. . . 10 stars at least''''A wonderful festive read that makes you wish you were there''''This was a beaut

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Book SynopsisFifty years into my life journey I realise that, while I love remote wild places and the peoples I meet there, it is in forests that I find the greatest joy. Of all the forests that I have explored, it is the great circumpolar Boreal forest of the North that calls to me most. Here is a landscape where bush knowledge really counts and where experience counts even more ... This book has been thirty years in the making.' Out on the Land is an absorbing exploration of, and tribute to, the circumpolar Boreal forest of the North: its landscape, its people, their cultures and skills, the wilderness that embodies it, and its immense beauty. The book is vast in scope and covers every aspect of being in the wilderness in both winter and summer (clothing, kit, skills, cooking, survival), revealing the age-old traditions and techniques, and how to carry them out yourself. It also includes case studies of early explorers, as well as modern-day adventurers who found themselves strandedTrade Review... substantial in size and content and clearly designed to both inform and inspire. ... If you can hold back from buying this book for yourself straight away, then it's definitely one for the Christmas list. * Bushcraft Magazine *a superb 335-page book, with great photos, and absolutely packed with facts and practical bushcraft advice * Countryside Magazine *Bushcraft tales and tips in a beautifully photographed book * BBC Countryfile *Stunning photographs * Mail on Sunday *Easy to read, comprehensive in its information and packed full of brilliant photography. * Adventure Travel magazine *A great read * Camping & Caravanning *A must-read for those venturing into the Far North * Northwest Yachting *

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Creative Projects Using Everyday Materials features more than thirty projects designed by the users of instructables.com. These users have repurposed and reused everyday items they've found around their homes, in their backyards, or even in local junkyards to create unique furnishings and decorations for their homes and meaningful gifts for others. Equipped with the vision to not only see the latent potential and beauty in common items, but also the skills necessary to transform those objects into creative and new applications, these projects are at the core of the maker movement and can inspire us all. Readers of Creative Projects Using Everyday Materials will learn how to construct: Bottle cap tables Concrete lamps 3D string art Sand fire gardens Screw-nut and wooden rings Paracord bracelets Cigar box guitars Wooden beer mugs Test tube spice racks Metal roses And more!

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Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER ''Lewis-Stempel is one of our finest nature writers ... He writes with delicate observation and authority, giving us in Woodston a book teeming with fascinating details, anecdotes and penetrating insights into the real cost of our denatured countryside.'' - Sunday Times ''The English countryside is ''a work of human art, done by the many and the nameless'' and John Lewis-Stempel wanted to celebrate it. He has succeeded admirably.'' - Daily Mail _________________ In the beginning was the earth... From the Paleozoic volcanoes that stained its soil, to the Saxons who occupied it, to the Tudors who traded its wool, to the Land Girls of wartime, John Lewis-Stempel charts a sweeping, lyrical history of Woodston: the quintessential English farm. With his combined skills of farmer and historian, Lewis-Stempel digs deep into written records, the memories of relatives, and the landsca

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Book SynopsisOnly an experienced blacksmith with genuine care for his craft and the livelihood of all blacksmiths could produce such a wonderful guide. Holmstrom provides not just practical instruction for all manner of small-scale blacksmith work, but intersperses his guidance with more general life lessons for blacksmiths, such as not falling prey to “habits of intemperance.” More than a snapshot of a bygone era, the style and the content of Traditional Blacksmithing will appeal to readers of today, thanks to Holmstrom’s generous and patient approach. Topics covered include: setting up shop, building your own machinery, repairing horse hooves, fixing your tools, and even building a strong reputation in the community.

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Book SynopsisEvoking Studs Terkel, Shen Fuyu delivers a rollicking deep dive into working life in a small village in rural China, tracing the last 100 years of history. Born in Shen Village in Southeast China, Shen Fuyu grew up in a family of farmers. Years later, Shen, now a writer, returned to his hometown to capture the village's rich history in the face of industrialization. Through his own childhood memories and those of his ancestors, Shen resurrects the working life of Shen Village through interlinked stories of fifteen artisans as their lives intersect over the course of a century. While Shen's view of his hometown and his heritage is tinged with nostalgia, he does not romanticize it. Nor does he sugarcoat the backbreaking difficulty of life in rural China, but he still captures its small satisfactions and joys of loving one's work with a great deal of care. In an acerbic, earthy and unsparing style that swings from poignancy to comedy, sometimes within a single paragraph, Shen evokes the spirits of these workers--a bamboo-weaver and his beloved bull, a carpenter's magical saw, the deserter who became the village lantern-maker and a rebellious woman who beats up her own kidnapper. A reflection on the vicissitudes of small-town life during the epic shift from agricultural to industrial civilization, The Artisans vividly details the hardships, friendships and communal mythmaking of a disappearing community.Trade Review"[Shen Fuyu's] prose is steeped in contagious nostalgia, and he employs the universal language of emigration and exile, writing, 'I am now an orphan, lost in the big city.'"—Farah Abdessamad, The Atlantic "Beautifully written, with an almost mythic tone, each of these vignettes captures a piece of village life and custom during a tumultuous century in Chinese history." —Booklist "A Marcel Pagnol of provincial China in a beautifully accessible translation."—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

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Book SynopsisLearn all about the process of making rope from bearded seal skin in this bilingual book! Rope is a very useful tool and is used by Inuit for many things. From removing the blubber to hanging the rope to dry, this introductory guide takes readers through a step-by-step process for making rope from bearded seal skin.

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Book SynopsisA celebration of Irish thatch. The picturesque, white-washed thatched cottage is an iconic emblem of Ireland. The tradition reaches back in history to the ancient crannóg and one-roomed labourers’ cottages. Beautiful examples of this still-living craft can be found all over the island, from bustling urban centres and quiet country roads to the wild coasts of the west. Since moving into a thatched cottage several years ago, Emma Byrne has become fascinated by thatched houses and the craft behind them. Armed with a camera, a notebook, and a Sat Nav, she took to the roads, travelling the length and breadth of this island to capture the variety and beauty of Ireland’s thatch. This beautiful new addition to the O'Brien Heritage series is a celebration of the unique beauty and wonder of Irish thatch. The book features a map guiding the reader to over 40 buildings that can be visited, including United Irishmen leader of the 1798 rebellion Michael Dwyer’s hideout cottage in County Wicklow; America’s 28th president Woodrow Wilson’s ancestral home in County Tyrone; Dan Winters Cottage in County Armagh where The Orange Order began; the last miner’s cottage in Kilkenny, the last fisherman’s cottage near Lough Neagh, Thoor Ballylee, the County Galway home of poet WB Yeats; and a number of pubs, restaurants, art studios and shops around the country, museums (recently restored Casino Model Railway Museum in Malahide, Dublin) and windmills.Trade Reviewpacked full of wonderful colour images of the buildings, giving the reader a flavour of their appearance across Ireland -- Ulster Archaeological Society’s Newsletter

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Book Synopsis'A must-have for anyone interested in working with straw and an astonishing contribution to the preservation of this endangered craft.' Jay Blades MBE, Co-Chair of Heritage Crafts An engaging makers’ guide to the history and craft of straw plaiting, brimming with helpful step-by-step diagrams. Straw plaiting has been used to make accessories from hats and baskets to handbags, trimmings and homewares around the world for centuries. Once employing tens of thousands of people in the UK alone, the craft is now listed as Critically Endangered on Heritage Crafts’ Red List. This book aims to change that, drawing on more than 50 previously unpublished patterns and techniques from around the world that will help you to unlock the history and preserve the skills of straw plaiting. For each pattern, follow the step-by-step diagrams and instructions and discover how they were developed whilst learning about materials, tools and preparation. Once familiar with the plaiting techniques – using straw as well as other materials – you will be able to develop your own skills, possibly blending in recycled materials, which are increasingly being used to produce beautiful and unique pieces.Trade ReviewThis impressive and thoroughly researched book traces the journey of straw from farmer’s field to finished hat. Veronica Main has covered the subject in depth with good illustrations, and the clearly drawn patterns show the many ways straw can be plaited ... we should now make more use of it as a renewable resource. -- Alan and Vanessa Hopkins, The School of Historic DressA must-have for anyone interested in working with straw and an astonishing contribution to the preservation of this endangered craft. -- Jay Blades MBE, Co-Chair of Heritage CraftsStraw plaiting has all but disappeared from the public consciousness; what was once so common, it touched the lives of everyone everywhere... Veronica Main's exhaustive research may ignite a timely renaissance of interest in straw as we search for sustainable alternatives to plastic. -- Polly Leonard * Selvedge Magazine *This is a book that will fascinate and enthral both researchers and makers alike. * The Braid Society *From simple patterns through to elaborate work for hats and baskets, this is equally enjoyable as a record of a rare craft, or as inspiration to take up straw plaiting and help take this craft off the endangered list. * Family Tree *Straw Plaiting: Heritage Techniques for Hats, Trimmings, Bags and Baskets is sure to become the go-to publication for anyone interested in learning or studying this time-honoured craft. * HATalk Magazine *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Foreword by Marian Nichols Introduction Terminology 1. Straw Plaiting in Great Britain 2. Straw Plaiting in the Atlantic Islands and North America 3. Straw Plaiting in Europe 4. The Decline of the Straw Plaiting Industry 5. Plaiting Materials 6. Straw Preparation 7. Tools of the Trade 8. Development of Plait Patterns 9. Preparing to Plait 10. Plait Instructions Three, Five and Seven End Plaits Nine and Eleven Ends Basic Plaits Rustic Plaits Piping and Porcupine Purl and Moss Batwing or Vandyke Feather and Wisp Diamond and Wave Brilliant Trimmings Endnotes Conversion Tables Glossary Bibliography Picture Credits Index

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Book SynopsisAs featured in The New York Times...Throughout the history of civilisation, traditional crafts have been passed down from hand to skilled hand. Blacksmithing, brewing, beekeeping, baking, milling, spinning, knitting and weaving: these skills held societies together, and so too shaped their folklore and mythology.Exploring the folklore connected with these rural crafts, Telling the Bees examines the customs, superstitions and stories woven into some of the world’s oldest trades. From the spinning of the Fates to the blacksmith’s relationship with the devil, and the symbolism of John Barleycorn to a ritual to create bees from the corpse of a cow – these are the traditions upon which our modern world was built.Trade Review"A wonderful, eclectic collection of folklore essentials" -- Joanne Harris

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Book SynopsisWell over a hundred great churches were built in the cathedral tradition in the Middle Ages. They are our most important group of historical monuments and embody the finest craftwork of medieval architecture. Despite a great mass of specialist literature and research on other aspects, it was not until Cecil A. Hewett’s work over the past three decades that any serious attention was paid to their functional carpentry or, indeed, to their decorative timberwork.Examining the entire range of ‘great’ churches, Hewett’s carefully reasoned and well-organised text covers all areas of monastic and cathedral carpentry, classifying roof structures, towers and spires in chronological order, while an important section deals with the surviving examples of hoisting machinery still in situ, some from a very early date. In English Cathedral and Monastic Carpentry, he relates the physical evidence to the documentary record supported with over 300 of his own magnificent drawings. In this, Hewett provides both a work of reference and a stimulating analysis of the evolution of the craft.

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