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Hands Occupied

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

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Reader Survey Results

January 9, 2019 Leave a Comment

Knit yourself a quick cowl that doubles as a hood - a snood! The Checked Snood is a colorful, geometric knitting pattern that uses 3 colors of Berroco Brielle to create a stunning, versatile accessory you'll wear from fall to spring. Bonus: it's a free pattern!

Pictured knitwear: Checked Snood

It’s so funny. I just re-read my last two blog posts, the ones where I asked for your input in the 2018 reader survey and discussed plans for 2019. In those posts, particularly the second, I feel like I sound so confident. Like this 30-something chick who is her own boss and can, again, with total confidence run around and do things like try new, scary things with her creative career and business without a care in the world. Before we dive into survey results and pie charts, I think it’s important for me to emphasize something: I’m not that confident girlboss that has everything together. Some days, I’m just listening to my gut, speaking from my heart, and faking it til I make it. On those days, even I can sound like I totally know what I’m doing (because I’m convincing myself I can). So if you’re reading this blog and think I’ve got it all sorted out, I assure you I don’t, but I’m trying my best. And you can too.

Ok, good talk! On to the pie charts! ;)

P.S. Despite my talk of posting less this year, Picks of the Week returns on Friday and our beloved weekly newsletter lands Saturday morning. They have not disappeared! And if you’re not yet getting the Hands Occupied newsletter, you should really consider it. Signing up gets you 20% off in the Shop!

2018 Reader Survey Results!

2018 Hands Occupied Blog Reader Survey Results

What crafts do you do?

For this question, you could select from the following: knitting, crochet, latch hook, punch needle, macrame, weaving, sewing, [other].

Here’s what y’all get up to: knitting 93%, crochet 61%, latch hook 8%, punch needle 5%, macrame 6%, weaving 11%, sewing 46%. 

Most common [other] responses: cross stitch, embroidery, spinning, painting, quilting, & jewelry.

The preceding numbers indicate what percentage of survey respondents listed as the crafts they do.

2018 Hands Occupied Blog Reader Survey Results

How much do you think a knitting or crochet pattern should cost and why?

Good on you, folks! Those who have the means to support indie designers tended to agree that $5-10 was a reasonable range for independently-produced patterns. To you, I say, “Muah! Muah! Thank you!”

2018 Hands Occupied Blog Reader Survey Results

If you’ve purchased a Hands Occupied pattern, where did you purchase it?

No surprises here! Ravelry 74%, Craftsy 5%, LoveCrafts 13%, Hands Occupied Shop 14% 

Do you want to see non-knitting or crochet content on the Hands Occupied Blog? (For instance, last summer’s latch hook tutorial series.) If so, what?

yes 63% / no 29% / neutral 8%

Do you listen to the Very Serious Crafts Podcast? (Heidi co-hosts this bi-weekly podcast with two other craft designers.) If yes, could you share some feedback? If not, what would make you listen?

I’ve definitely got some educating to do here! 1. Only 5% of respondents reported listening to the podcast, and lots of people didn’t realize it existed. It’s a newer project from 2018 that I’d worried about spamming you folks with. I have learned I can do a much better of communicating about Very Serious Crafts in the future thanks to this survey!

2. Speaking of communicating about the podcast, lots of you expressed an interest in listening, but weren’t sure how. Since many are interested in giving Very Serious Crafts a try, I definitely think some kind of tutorial is in order. Stay tuned!

2018 Hands Occupied Blog Reader Survey Results

If you’ve participated in a Read Along, which one was it, and what did you like and dislike about it? What do you think would improve the Read Alongs?

I LOVED everything you all had to say about the Read Alongs! Here are some of the highlights:

  • interested in seeing more discussion from more folks in the Ravelry Group
  • would love to see Instagram discussions next time! (I spend more time on Insta.)
  • Always wanted to make socks. The read along was incredibly helpful, I never felt overwhelmed.
  • It was so much fun to read and knit at the same time, it would have been nice to have a few more people on Instagram taking part as that’s the one I use the most
  • maybe a day/time when the discussion is more live each week, for Q&A on the project and the book? With like a book piece you know we’re going to talk about (Part I and Clue 1-2 live at 2p on Sunday) or something?
  • great book and fun pattern – not too involved or spendy
  • The first one and I thought that it was wonderful. What a great idea being able to read (hear) a book and keep your eyes on your knitting. I love to read (at least 1 if not 2 British detective & mysteries a week) and I love to knit so you solved that predicament but Amazon’s charge for the audio service and the books are not always available on audio are the only drawbacks. Definitely a great idea.

I have a million more questions, but your time is precious! The space below is a great place to let me know any other ideas, feedback, gripes, encouragement, etc. you may have. Thank you so much!

For this last question, some of the responses were personal, so I’ll leave those between us. But to put a bow on this trilogy of turn-of-year posts, I just wanted to say thank you. Genuinely, thank you to each and every one of you who took the time to fill out the survey, leave kind words, and maybe most especially those who found a way to say something that connected with me in a legitimate way!

Some favorite feedback (or common feedback), plus hints about more to come: 

  • Criticism that was truly constructive (and somehow worded so kindly that I was like, “challenge accepted!” and not “I better quit this crafting thing, eh?”)
    • In particular, I hear the chorus of folks who want to see macrame and weaving (random coincidence or trend alert? Time will tell!). And I really hear the knitters who want to see even more knitting in the coming year. Consider yourselves heard. ;) 
  • The folks that said variations on, “Hey, I don’t know you, but I’m glad you exist!” really made my day. More than once!
  • To avoid bias, I made a point to look at all of the survey feedback blind to the author. I want to give a special shout out to the lovely soul who wrote, “I thought latch hook was goofy until your series and now I kind of want to try. Anything can be interesting if the person presenting it is passionate about it. If something strikes you, I’d love to see content about it.” I think you get what I’m all about, friend!

Giveaway winner!

Congratulations to M! You were randomly selected to win the $75 gift certificate for KnitPicks. Details are in your inbox!

2018 Hands Occupied Blog Reader Survey Results

Filed Under: Inspiration Tagged With: blog, reader survey, survey results

About Heidi

Heidi Gustad (she/her) is a craft book author & designer specializing in yarn crafts. Her work combines vintage and modern design elements, prioritizing color and graphic motifs. Her first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is out now.

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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), and I’ve been helping yarn crafters untangle various techniques on the internet since 2010. I got my start here, as a blogger, and since then I’ve shared more than a few tutorials here and on YouTube as I’ve grown as a pattern designer. 🧶 

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Latch Hook by Heidi Gustad

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Heidi Gustad 🧶 knitting & yarn crafts

handsoccupied

Knitting & yarn crafts designer 🧶
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Stay up-to-date 💌 & shop new patterns ⤵️

POV: Showing you how my new Bevelled Tank pattern POV: Showing you how my new Bevelled Tank pattern fits with no ease vs. 4” of positive ease. There’s a bit more length to the cotton (brighter color) sample, but both are cropped and feature shoulder seams designed to sit an inch back onto the shoulder instead of on top, giving it a little swing. Length is easily adjustable for folks looking for less of a crop. 
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Pattern: Bevelled Tank by @handsoccupied for @pompommag x @hobbii_yarn summer 2024. Available for free from Hobbii at the 🔗 in my profile.
Yarn pictured: @kelbournewoolens Skipper and Camper. 
Dress form is adjusted to a 36” chest and ~5’3”ish in height. 
Human has a 40” chest and is 5’5”.
Both skirts are vintage.
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #handsoccupied #intarsia #handmade #knitting #colorwork
Let’s talk about fit and ease! . During the Beve Let’s talk about fit and ease!
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During the Bevelled Tank design process for @pompommag, I knit 2 samples using 2 different @KelbourneWoolens yarns. One was in Skipper (100% cotton, second photo) and the other was in Camper (100% 2 ply wool). The Skipper sample was knit for a 36” bust, which measures in at 40” with 4” of positive ease. And I knit the Camper Sample for my 40” bust with a 44” finished measurement. (BTW, I’m 5’5” for folks that find that measurement helpful in visualizing fit.)
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Based on the size chart for the Bevelled Tank, that means I knit one size 3 sample and one size 4. As designed, I conveniently fit a size 4 as intended with 4” of positive ease. When I wear the 3, there is no ease at all because the garment and my body are both 40” in size. Comparing the 2 garments, you can see how the fiber content (cotton vs. wool) and fit (no ease vs. 4” of positive ease) makes a difference in the look and feel of the finished garment. 
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These samples are a great way to compare what ease looks like on different bodies. While I can fit both a size 3 and 4, the garment with no ease feels more like pajamas or a bralette when I wear it. On the other hand, when I wear the one with 4” of positive ease, I feel comfortable enough to wear it to work, even as a crop top. Plus, it leaves me with enough room to layer it with a nice button down if I’m not feeling the cropped look one day. 
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I’m curious - how would you style this tank? Would you modify it with a few stockinette rows for added length? I’m so curious now that this pattern is finally out in the world. :) 
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #bevelledtank #handsoccupied #knitting #intarisa #handmade #kelbournewoolens #croppedsweater #summerknits
After a 6 month hiatus, I am happy to say I’m ba After a 6 month hiatus, I am happy to say I’m back with a brand new pattern in 9 sizes, and it’s FREE as part of @pompommag x @hobbii_yarn’s summer design collection! (Link is in my bio.)
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In my December newsletter, I announced that I was soliciting test knitters for a pattern that had originally been selected for the summer ’24 issue of Pom Pom Quarterly magazine. However, the magazine ceased publication after its spring ’24 issue, leaving in-progress designs unpublished. (It happens.) As a result, I’d begun the long process of editing, testing, and photographing the pattern for independent release through the Hands Occupied pattern shop and Ravelry.
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Before I was done with that process, Pom Pom Quarterly’s former editors reached out with an exciting proposal for the pattern. Post-magazine, they’ve begun to partner with yarn companies to produce high quality pattern collections. They wanted to include designs from the would-be current issue of Pom Pom Quarterly in a new collection for Hobbii yarn, including my Bevelled Tank. I worked with the same technical editors I would have for the magazine on this one, and as you can see from the photos, Pom Pom’s team did an amazing job of styling the garment to the beautiful standards they’re known for.
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You can learn more about the pattern on my blog and get the free pattern from Hobbii yarn - links to both in my profile. I’ll post sizing info in the comments for quick reference too. 🧶
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #knitting #intarsia #sponsored #colorworkknitting 
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Photos: @dianascarrunz 
Model: @angel.jade_
Here’s a nice throwback for you: my take on a vi Here’s a nice throwback for you: my take on a vintage knitting pattern from 1938 called the Fernlace Pullover. A pattern so nice, I knit it twice.
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Yellow version 💛: knit with Despondent Dyes’ Vintage Vixen Sport after attending a @squidneyknits vintage knitting retreat in 2019 & learning *so much*. Paired with a self-drafted circle skirt pattern. 
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Blue version 💙: knit with @eweeweyarns Ewe So Sporty in Sky Blue. Paired with the 1940s Boardwalk Duet sewing pattern from @decades_of_style 
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Head to my stories for 🔗🔗 to the handmade wardrobe blog posts I wrote about each take on the Fernlace Pullover, working with a vintage pattern, where to find vintage patterns (including the one I used), & some thoughts on sizing. 
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Image descriptions available in alt text. 
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#handsoccupied #handmadewardrobe #fernlacepullover #vintageknitting #vintageknittingpatterns #knitting_inspiration
Frogging is a word in the knitting world that mean Frogging is a word in the knitting world that means to rip out your knitting. It’s called frogging because frogs say “ribbit,” and when you’re tearing out your knitting, you will “rip it” out, and that sounds like ribbit. No really. 🐸 Did you know this fun fact? 
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P.S. I did like this design concept, but to make the pattern more knitter friendly as well as more wearable, I am making some tweaks to the construction. Excited to share when it’s ready! 🥰🧶
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Yarn: @blueskyfibers Woolstok North in Morning Frost & Highland Fleece 
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#handsoccupied #knitting #frogging #blueskyfibers #knittersofinstagram #blueskymakers #knittingvocabulary #bsfmakers #knitdesign
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