'A few tools and a wide range of skills can achieve many things ...' If you've ever wanted to make your own bow and arrows, learn to create fire using friction, or mix up glue and dyes from the natural resources that surround us, then this is the book for you. John Rhyder has taught traditional woodcraft skills for several decades and can now teach you in this no-nonsense, amusing and easy-to-follow guide. Woodcraft will take you on a practical learning journey - from the safe use of tools and sustainable harvesting of wood to the subsequent uses for roots, bark and timber. This step-by-step account is suitable for the student of woodcraft, the naturalist and the practitioner of bushcraft skills.

Capture the beauty, fragrance, and power of herbs in these delightful crafts for home and garden. Why craft with herbs? They're easy to grow, beautiful, fragrant, full of health benefits, and are incredibly versatile! Herbs are best known for their medicinal and culinary uses, but there's so much more you can do with them. From spray disinfectants to wreaths and garlands, custom herb salts to homemade skincare products, there's something here for every room of your house-and everyone on your gift list! Learn how to make beautiful and useful items such as: Smudge Sticks Herb Sachets Hanging Herbal Swag Natural Confetti Herbal Cleaning Vinegars Herb salts (with recipes for different blends) Herbal Teas Compound Herb Butter Lavender Neck Wrap Simple Herbal Balm And much more! In addition to the crafts, learn how to grow, prune, harvest, dry, and store your favorite herbs. Woven throughout are helpful tidbits on the wellness properties and history of herbs. Create useful crafts that will beautify your home and make wonderful DIY gifts!

Thirty years since its original publication, The Children's Year has been a much-loved book that has never been out of print. Now called Making the Children's Year, with colour illustrations and new projects that bring it up to date, it will appeal to a new generation of people keen to engage children in creative play, the seasons and the joy of handcrafting. Marije Rowling has revisited the book she originally co-wrote with two friends and brings new inspiration and ideas to a modern readership. Packed with all kinds of crafts, from papercrafting to building dens, she brings the seasons into the home. From beginners to experienced crafters, this book is a gift for parents and adults seeking to make toys that will inspire children - and to provide an alternative to a throwaway culture.

A must-read for anyone with an adventurous spirit, a yen to whittle and chop, and a desire to get out into nature and play with sticks! These 50 achievable ideas for making and playing with sticks - all with beautiful step-by-step illustrations - make a great gift. The next title in Pavilion's best-selling outdoor adventure series, 50 Things to Do with a Stick will introduce you to the joy of making something out of almost nothing. With a few gathered twigs and sticks, start with simple ideas such as making plant markers or tent pegs and work up to constructing a lantern or woven basket. Working with wood is common to nearly every culture - it's nature's most adaptable raw material, malleable yet strong, and biodegradable. Until the 1960s woodworking was taught widely in schools, but since then has been in decline, robbing generations of the satisfaction of making useful things by hand. Richard Skrein begins by guiding you in choosing sticks and tools. Four chapters with evocative illustrations take you step by step through projects to use at home; to make music and decorative objects with; to play with; and to use out and about - the perfect accompaniments to a camping trip (2020 and 2021 saw unprecedented campsite bookings in the UK, and this trend is set to continue). This is the perfect book for anyone wishing to be more self-sufficient. Find your inner explorer with these battery-free, no-emission ideas! Chapters include: Home Sticks: cutlery, coat hooks, brooms, candlesticks Stick Craft: jewellery, weaving, mobiles, picture frames Stick Play: catapults, musical sticks, magic wands, story sticks Camp Sticks: lanterns, ladders, stools, stick bread! Word count: 15,000 words

As 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.

Become a pro at living and thriving off the land. Survival Skills of the Native Americans is a fascinating, practical guide to the techniques that have made the indigenous people of North America revered for their mastery of the wilderness. Readers can replicate outdoor living by trying a hand at making rafts and canoes, constructing tools, and living off the land. Learn key skills like: Building a strong campfire Learning to hunt and butcher your meats Creating a safe and solid shelter And much more! Whether you're an avid outdoorsman or a novice hiker, Survival Skills of the Native Americans is your handbook to not simply surviving the outdoors, but flourishing. The know-how of the Native Americans is unique and popular, admired by young people, historians, and those with a special interest in living off the land. Native Americans have lived outdoors for ages, and now you can be successful, too, with the skills, tips, and tricks included in this handy manual. Skyhorse Publishing is proud to publish a broad range of books for hunters and firearms enthusiasts. We publish books about shotguns, rifles, handguns, target shooting, gun collecting, self-defense, archery, ammunition, knives, gunsmithing, gun repair, and wilderness survival. We publish books on deer hunting, big game hunting, small game hunting, wing shooting, turkey hunting, deer stands, duck blinds, bowhunting, wing shooting, hunting dogs, and more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to publishing books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked by other publishers and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.

Woodlander is a complete and comprehensive guide to managing a small woodland, incorporating nearly 30 years of knowledge and experience from woodsman Ben Law and his unique home in Prickly Nut Wood. Woodlander contains everything you need to know if you are managing, or intend to manage, a small woodland. Ben's inspiring, forest-dwelling life has allowed him to put together a complete package of detailed information and practical examples based on his personal experience, giving this beautiful book an entirely authentic voice. Every page is infused with a deep respect for the traditions of the past while also embracing new ideas, methods and creative thinking. This is a holistic approach to woodland management, which looks at the entire place - the wildlife it supports, the natural cycles of growth and life, the precious products it creates and the communities that inhabit and surround it. All the while, understanding and emphasising that it is a balance of all these things that makes a healthy, biodiverse, resilient ecosystem. Detailed sections cover different types of woodland, the rich history behind them, how to assess what you've got, practical maintenance, planning for the future, promoting wildlife and biodiversity, harvesting and extracting timber, the tools you will need, crafts, social forestry and an in-depth resources section. Dotted throughout are personal snippets, observations and insights from Ben's life at Prickly Nut Wood.

Creative Ropecraft is a wonderful collection of practical nautical knots and decorative ropework. Anyone tempted to try their hand at this will be able to follow the steps easily thanks to Stuart Grainger's exquisite and clear drawings. This brand new, fully updated edition has a foreword, revisions, and tips from knotting expert, Des Pawson. Readers can learn how to tie and use a wide variety of knots, both practical and elaborate, including: crown and wall knots turk's heads door knockers hammocks mats belts cuff links table lamps rope-edged trays and much more. This book will be beautifully presented in a larger format, in full colour, and with new photography and material from Des Pawson. It will now sit comfortably alongside the successful Knot Craft and Rope Mats. Reviews of the previous edition: 'The best fancy knotting book...only when you've tried can you know just how good.' Knotting Matters 'Essential for any knot tyer's library. Stuart Grainger's illustrations are a joy to use, both for their beauty and clarity of instruction.' Des Pawson Reviews of Des Pawson: 'When it comes to personal ropecraft, Des Pawson is the master.' Yachting Times 'there really is no one better to publish a book on knot design than Des Pawson.' Towpath Talk

From selecting yarns and learning basic crochet stitches to assembling your doll or animal and adding whimsical details, The Complete Guide to Crochet Dolls and Animals makes any amigurumi project possible! Hundreds of photos demonstrate the best crochet stitches to use, along with lessons on how to assemble amigurumi figures correctly and give them more personality. All the basic stitches and steps are explained in detail, including extra directions for left-handed crafters. This is the official guide created by The Japan Amigurumi Association--whose thousands of members are found all over Japan, the original home of amigurumi. It provides an authoritative overview of techniques and includes all the information that amigurumi enthusiasts need to know to create their own toy. This indispensable book shows you how to: Shape and proportion expressive heads, limbs and tails Assemble all the pieces together in a way that makes your toy come alive Add armatures so your toys can bend and stand on their own Create facial features that give your toy attitude and personality Make cute little accessories (zakka) like mittens, scarves and purses The Complete Guide to Crochet Dolls and Animals includes 3 start to finish project lessons to practice the skills you learn. Then style your own amigurumi with over 1,500 color photos and detailed diagrams instructing more than 100 crochet stitch techniques. This is a book you'll refer to again and again. Open it up, and get ready to crochet!

Accompany woodsman Ben Law as he celebrates the amazing diversity of craft products made from materials sourced directly from the woods. Including brooms, rakes, pegs, spoons, chairs, baskets, fencing, yurts and even a caravan, the items are hewn from freshly cut green wood, shaped by hand and infused with a simple, rustic beauty. Detailed instructions and advice are given for each craft, along with essential knowledge about tools and devices. With fascinating information on the history, language and traditions of the crafts, coppice management and tree species, this book teaches about all aspects of the low-impact woodland way of life.

Illustrated in full color throughout, this book presents the art of making wreaths and garlands from fresh and dried flowers. An initial chapter provides a concise description of techniques and materials, while the accompanying images ensure that even the novice is able to follow instructions with ease. Subsequent chapters, featuring more than 30 floral projects, take a seasonal approach, suggesting a range of delightful creations that will beautify the home throughout the year

Long overlooked, Zulu basketry is the first comprehensive pictorial record of a craft form that has endured political change in education and empowered basket weavers with a sustainable means of making a living. Zulu Basketry focuses on contemporary basket weaving from the Hlabisa area of Kwa-Zulu Natal where some of the best work is produced. Master weavers from this area – like the late Reuben Ndwandwe and Beauty Ngxongo – are represented in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum, New York, and in private collections world-wide.

Wilderness 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.

Bring the joy of flowers into your home with 30 stunning projects for every season. From spring planters to summer floral crowns and autumn vase arrangements to winter wreaths; life is better with flowers all year round. With clear, step-by-step instructions, expert florist Ashlee Jane leads you through her inspirational ideas for floral designs to bring the calming presence of flowers and foliage into your home. There is something for every occasion here, from small place settings and everyday bouquets to show-stopping displays for a mantlepiece or staircase, and everything in between. Including styling tips, a directory of favourite flowers and gorgeous ideas on every page, you will be inspired to fill your home with flowers throughout the year.

THE DEFINITIVE WOOD-CUTTER'S BIBLE - THE BESTSELLING, YEAR-ROUND GUIDE TO CHOPPING, STACKING AND DRYING WOOD "The book has spread like wildfire" Daily Mail "A how-to book with poetry at its heart" T.L.S. "A step-by-step guide to preparing your wood store" Independent Whether you're a seasoned woodcutter, or your passion is yet to be kindled, NORWEGIAN WOOD is an entertaining guide for year-round wood management, and the perfect gift. Chopping and stacking wood is a pastime where the world makes sense once more. Because our relationship to fire is so ancient, so universal, it seems that in learning about wood, you can also learn about life. And who better to impart this wisdom than an expert from Scandinavia, where the extreme climate has obliged generations to hone and share their skills with tools, wood and heat production. Lars Mytting has distilled the wisdom of enthusiasts, from experienced lifelong growers, stackers and burners to researchers and professionals of combustion and tree culture. Part guide to the best practice in every aspect of working with this renewable energy source, part meditation on the human instinct for survival, this definitive handbook on the art of chopping, stacking and drying wood in the Scandinavian way has resonated across the world, with more than a million copies sold worldwide. More than 175,000 copies sold in English editions. The book that defined a genre.

Forest Schools need not be just for children. Here is the ultimate guide for how adults can enjoy the benefits of outdoor learning too. Have you always wanted to know how to start a campfire, forage for (the right) fungi, or know how to tie a good knot? Or would you like to expand your horizons - and lower your stress levels - by building a dry stone wall, fashioning a bow and arrow, or beachcombing for shells? Forest schools for kids originated in Scandinavia as outdoor, play-based learning groups and, as the benefits of nature play became internationally recognised, quickly became established around the world. But why should kids have all the fun? Connecting with green spaces, trees and plants can lift our spirits, improve stress and relax our brains - in short, playing outside is good for everyone. Forest School for Grown Ups shows you can learn new skills and practise forgotten ones from finding your way in the woods to whittling utensils and carving sculptures; from trapping and smoking game to making and using a divining rod, from building a bird box, or insect house, to simply just climbing trees. Beautifully designed and illustrated, Forest School for Grown Ups provides the perfect resource for anyone wanting to enjoy spending quality time outdoors.

The spirit of "country" can be evoked in many ways but is an enduring and much-loved home style. This beautiful collection offers the reader practical knowledge and inspirational ideas to create their own very personal sense of country, wherever they live. The first section, Country Decorating, illustrates how you can create restful decorative effects around your home. The second section, Country Crafts and Flowers, draws inspiration from nature for a variety of decorations and arrangements created from fresh and dried flowers, and the final section, Country Cooking, is a collection of 50 seasonal recipes for mouthwatering country fare.