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Hands Occupied

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

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55 Last Minute Knit & Crochet Gift Ideas

December 17, 2014 4 Comments

55 Last Minute Knit & Crochet Gift Ideas at HandsOccupied.com Christmas is a week from tomorrow, which means I’m finishing up a few knit and crochet gifts, but of course, there are more I’d like to get done between now and Christmas Eve. I have a hunch I’m not the only knitter quaking in my boots, so today’s post is all about one-skein/fast-to-make knitting and crochet gift ideas that you can get gone between now and the 25th.

ornaments/gift toppers/holiday items

crochet yarn basket ornament -red heart 
knit jack frost/elf -petite purls
crochet amigurumi reindeer -little things blogged
knit colorful gift card holders -4 you with love
knit mini stockings -hands occupied
crochet christmas lights garland -one sheepish girl
crochet mini gift boxes -ice pandora
crochet christmas tree with buttons -pops de milk
knit dogwood blossoms -purl avenue
crochet poinsettia wreath -yarn twist
knit mini sweaters (with Harry Potter sweater tips!) -hands occupied
crochet bunny ornament -all about ami
crochet ornament cover -oombawka design 

for the home

crochet tea mug cozy -mrs. greene
crochet chunky heart pillow -lebenslustiger
crochet flower coasters -stitch craft create
crochet no-slip hangers -hands occupied
tunisian crochet washcloths -the purl bee
crochet heart sachets -petals to picots
knit geometric dish towel -lebenslustiger
crochet kitchen scrubber -bread & with it
crochet jar cozy -edward and lily
crochet amigurumi poodle nail polish cover -hands occupied
knit sunburst washcloths -simply notable

crochet spiral planter cover -the inspired wren
knit mini sweater key toppers -bare your threads
crochet “let’s make stuff” banner -little things blogged
crochet rainbow nesting bowls -tuts+
crochet striped tea cozy -mon petit four

accessories

knit super simple hand warmers -fringe association
knit brioche cowl -hands occupied
crochet 1920s headband -hopeful honey
knit chevron sunglasses case -hands occupied
crochet mustard-colored bulky cowl -rescued paw designs
knit mulberry fingerless gloves -hand knitted things
knit red hearts hat for babies & newborns -hands occupied
knit super chunky hat -lebenslustiger
crochet spike stitch hand warmers -claireabellamakes
knit puffball clutch -hands occupied
knit business card holder -red heart
crochet broomstick lace cuff bracelet -cult of crochet
crochet rings -hands occupied
knit simple headband -the homsteady
crochet cupcake keychains -repeat crafter me
knit bulky cabled headband -margo knits
crochet coin purse -is laura
knit swatch necklace -mollie makes
knit faux woven cowl -hands occupied
crochet alligator pencil case -yarnspirations
knit chunky garter stitch mittens -flax and twine

toys

knit set of veggies -christina d. on ravelry
crochet tiny alligator -craft foxes
knit tiny super heroes -mochimochi land
knit matryoshka doll -just crafty enough
crochet hacky sack -hands occupied for make and takes
crochet platypus -my backyard monsters

Filed Under: Inspiration Tagged With: crochet, fast projects, inspiration, knit, Knitting, quick crochet projects, quick knitting projects

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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Comments

  1. Lynn

    December 17, 2014 at 3:11 pm

    Where can I find the pattern for the red gloves without fingertips that are also mittens? It is one of the patterns shown at the beginning.

    Reply
  2. Lynn

    December 18, 2014 at 12:05 pm

    Where do you find the pattern for the red glove/mittens on the 55 Gift Idea pictures? Please help, there doesn’t seem to be a link to anything. Can you help?

    Reply
    • Heidi

      December 18, 2014 at 1:44 pm

      The gloves aren’t part of the roundup, sorry! That picture features the faux woven cowl, and was shot during last year’s polar votex when it was -30F. I just grabbed some premade gloves I had laying around for the shoot. If you’re looking for something similar, I found this free pattern on Ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fingerless-gloves-for-dan. Hope that helps!

      Reply
  3. Lynn

    December 18, 2014 at 3:09 pm

    Figures I fell in love with a pair of pre-made mitts! Ha! Thanks for the link! Going to download those! Have a happy holidays!!!

    Reply

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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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INSTAGRAM

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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