Nicole Scalessa is a needlework historian, instructor, designer, and author. Her book, Historic Reflections in Crochet (Library Company of Philadelphia, 2001), was the culmination of years of research preparing her 2001 exhibition “The Hook and The Book: The Emergence of Crochet & Knitting in Early American Popular Culture, 1840-1876” held at The Library Company of Philadelphia. She is a professional member of The Crochet Guild of America and the Delaware Valley Archivists Group. Her research and patterns have been published in popular serials including Piecework & Chain Link. She currently teaches at Lori Cosgrove Designs in Propsect Park, PA , St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Norwood, PA, & Sophie's Yarns in Philadelphia.