This guide provides creative knitters with a collection of three-dimensional figures from history. From the ancient world, meet an Egyptian man and lady, a rabbi and a high priest. An Italian Renaissance lady emerges elegantly from the 15th century, Queen Elizabeth I rules in the 16th century, and there are the Pilgrim Fathers of the 17th century and the ostentatious Madame de Pompadour from the 18th century. All these characters and others are represented in over 50 full-colour photographs, together with historical facts and knitting know-how, drawings, knitting patterns, and details of yarns and stitches. There are instructions for making a basic body, embroidering features on a face and for knitting clothing, accessories, jewellery and even underclothes. The book should be of interest to knitters, embroiderers, doll collectors, doll-makers, historical costume enthusiasts and fashion students.

Jan Messent qualified as a teacher in the mid-50s and, after teaching Art, History and English, became deeply involved with embroidery as an art form. As a member of the Embroiderers' Guild, she taught embroidery design to its members, wrote and illustrated design books, and lectured worldwide. Her last embroidery book was about the Bayeux Tapestry. She became interested in the experimental use of knitting and crochet and hoped, by her books on the subject, to open up new dimensions in the creative use of yarn. Now, having retired from lecturing, Jan writes historical fiction full-time, embroidering as a side-line, reading, painting, and listening to good music.