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Hands Occupied

Colorful knitting, crochet, latch hook and macrame from craft book author & designer Heidi Gustad.

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Norwegian Purling for Continental Style Knitters + Video

March 22, 2023 Leave a Comment

Learn how to do Norwegian purl to help improve your continental knitting tension with this quick tutorial. (Includes video!)

In my last tutorial, I demonstrated the differences between continental and throwing style knitting, including how to knit with each method. Interestingly, many knitters commented that purling, specifically tensioning the working yarn at the front of the work, was challenging to master in continental style. I also ran into issues with my purl tension, as well as minor finger pain, as I developed my continental knitting style. Between these issues and those mentioned by commenters, I did some digging, and it turns out, something called Norwegian purling can help.

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Learn the difference between continental (picking) and throwing (English) style knitting.

Knitting Styles: Continental vs. Throwing (with Video)

March 1, 2023

Learn the differences between picking and throwing style knitting.

Learn how to fix common knitting mistakes with a beginner-friendly video tutorial. Topics covered: stockinette and garter stitch, tinking, frogging, and picking up stitches.

How to Fix Common Knitting Mistakes + Video Tutorial

February 15, 2023

Learn how to fix common knitting mistakes with a beginner-friendly video tutorial. Topics covered: laddering down, tinking, frogging, and picking up stitches.

Learn how to work a provisional cast on in knitting. This popular method uses scrap yarn and a crochet hook.

One-Step Provisional Cast On with Video Tutorial

January 31, 2023

Learn how to work a provisional cast on in knitting. This popular method uses scrap yarn and a crochet hook.

A blond woman with glasses and cardigan knits while looking down at her project.

Carousel Horses and New Year Plans

January 19, 2023

It’s time for the annual Hands Occupied new year update, and for the first time in years, I feel like I have some clarity about I’m doing next.

A blond woman packing several boxes.

A Farewell to the Studio Space, but Not Hands Occupied

November 18, 2022

Why I am bidding farewell to the Hands Occupied Studio space, and what this means for the rest of the year for Hands Occupied.

See more from the blog →

hands occupied on youtube

https://youtu.be/IMMsMwOe8BU

Free Patterns

Grab your crochet hooks! You can take this quick project from yarn ball to beer koozie before lunchtime on a lazy summer day. Click through for the free pattern.

Ribbed Can Koozies

Cross Body Phone Case Pattern with T-shirt Yarn at handsoccupied.com

Cross Body Phone Case Pattern

Scandinavian Advent Calendar - free crochet pattern -- An advent calendar is a great way to make your own keepsake Christmas decoration and build a family tradition for years to come. The Scandinavian Advent Calendar is great for crocheters at almost any skill level and is inspired by beautiful holiday decor found in Scandinavia. This pattern features basic embroidery stitches for added texture and a handmade look.

Scandinavian Advent Calendar

A pattern for a crochet Christmas tree ornament that works up super quick! Click through for the free pattern.

Crochet Christmas Tree – 12 Ornaments of Christmas

Vintage Crochet Poodle Nail Polish Cover Amigurumi via handsoccupied.com

Following a Vintage Amigurumi Poodle Down a Rabbit Hole

Knit an adorable cable knit beanie for winter with this free pattern.

Winter Cable Knit Beanie

Click through for a free pattern for a Bulky Knit Rug (or throw!)

Bulky Knit Rug Pattern

Knit the Other People's Houses Shawl - this first time shawl-friendly free pattern is versatile and can be knit with any yarn.

Other People’s Houses Shawl pattern / RALKAL Kickoff!!

More Free Patterns →

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Heidi Gustad from Hands Occupied / Craft Book Author and Knitting, Crochet, Latch Hook and Macrame Designer

Hi! I’m Heidi (she/her/hers), a craft book author & pattern designer specializing in knitting, crochet, latch hook & macrame. Really anything with yarn! ❤️  My work combines vintage and modern design elements, featuring bold colors and graphic motifs.

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handsoccupied

Craft book author & pattern designer ❤️💛💙
knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé
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Please email for pattern support. 🧶

Heidi Gustad 🧶✂️
It’s been a hot second since I showed my face or It’s been a hot second since I showed my face or reintroduced myself, so here goes! I’m Heidi Gustad, a craft book author, pattern designer, and tutorial creator who specializes in yarn crafts. Lately, I’ve been focused on releasing quality knitting videos and related blog posts to help teach things like the difference between provisional cast ons and how to fix common knitting mistakes. Next week I’m shooting requested crochet and latch hook videos, so h👀kers, your time is coming! And if you ever have tutorial requests, please let me know. ☺️
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TLDR: I’m Heidi. I design & teach yarn crafts. You can find tutorials on my blog (est. 2010) & You2be. I also have several knitting & crochet patterns + a book about latch hook available. / All of these can be found on my website, the 🔗 is where you’d think. 
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#handsoccupied #fridayintroduction #heidigustad #knitting #knitter #knittersofinstagram #yarncrafts #latchhookbook
Are you a picker or a thrower? Do you knit Contine Are you a picker or a thrower? Do you knit Continental or English Style? Here’s a quick overview of the differences between the two most common knitting styles, including a side by side comparison. (A good one to save for future reference. 👍🏻) 
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There’s more on the differences between picking and throwing in my latest blog post & You 2ube video - the l1nk is where you’d think!
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#handsoccupied #learntoknit #knittingstyles #howtoknit #knittersofinstagram #knitter
Spent time with family this weekend down South. Go Spent time with family this weekend down South. Got some stitching in & felt spring for a minute, which was lovely. ☀️ 
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I’ll be catching up on comments, etc. tomorrow. 
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#handsoccupied #travelknitting #planeknitting
Which way do you knit? Picking, throwing, Portugue Which way do you knit? Picking, throwing, Portuguese, Shetland… how about lever style? 
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Today on the blog, we’re defining & comparing the two most common knitting styles: continental and throwing. They’re each known by a few names, and odds are one of them really is your grandmother’s knitting style (if she’s a western knitter that is). There’s a new video to help demonstrate the differences too. Another good one to save & share! 😉 
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#handsoccupied #continentalknitting #englishknitting #americanknitting #howtoknit
This past weekend, my husband and I visited family This past weekend, my husband and I visited family out of state. Here’s what I packed to keep my hands occupied for the drive. 😉 
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I try my hardest to be realistic about how much knitting I’m going to get done vs. the effort of schlepping my WIP(s) and yarn around. I definitely almost brought double this amount of yarn, which would have been hilariously unnecessary for a weekend trip. Why am I like this? 😆 Do you also struggle with overpacking when it comes to crafts? 
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#handsoccupied #travelknitting #knitting #knitter #knittersofinstagram #knitting_inspiration
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