Books by Helen James

Knitted lace is beautiful, ethereal and eminently achievable by any competent knitter. Written by a passionate lace knitter, this comprehensive book contains a brief history of lace knitting and considers the similarities between the genre from different traditions. There is information on techniques, with over seventy lace motifs and embellishments including making bobbles, beading and how to create the Estonian Nupp. Whilst using traditional motifs, Lace Knitting moves away from the traditional square shawls of the past and focuses on wedding wraps, scarves and throws, as well as household furnishings such as cushion covers. This book is beautifully illustrated and includes a brief history of lace knitting; information about yarns, tools and techniques and a fully illustrated stitchionary, with charts and written instructions. It also includes seven straightforward, but effective projects, all of which can be varied and made more or less complex by the knitter.

Lace knitting need not make up a whole garment; adding an edging or including an insertion can enhance both clothing and accessories to great effect. This accessible book includes clear step-by-step tutorials of the basic techniques in lace knitting, as well as a variety of illustrated stitch motifs that lend themselves to edges and insertions. There are practice pieces, which can be used later as full projects, tips and suggestions about the usefulness of creating and maintaining a work book, as well as five full projects of varying degrees of complexity.

Pug Stands for Philosophical Universal Guidance. This fully illustrated book is different! Pug writes "Pugs are loved by people everywhere so it's not surprising that my view of the world is unique. The time has come to share my thoughts hoping that you will find them inspirational and help you lead a happier, more optimistic and fulfilling life".