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Hands Occupied

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

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A Thankful Giveaway & Pattern Sale!

November 10, 2016 22 Comments

A Thankful Giveaway from Hands Occupied - enter to win two skeins of Louet Gems fingering yarn, a free knitting pattern, and a copy of The Knitter's Journal.

This week has been intense, but it’s November, which means Thanksgiving is in a couple weeks. And you know what I’m thankful for? You. All of you who love yarn so much that you’ve got friends who think your yarn love might even be weird. We are all members of the same strange fiber tribe, aren’t we? I think that’s something worth celebrating, so today, I’ve got a surprise giveaway & pattern sale to help put a little positivity in the world!

Up for grabs, I’ve got 2 skeins of Louet Gems fingering weight yarn in Champagne and Marine Blue, a copy of my Turtle Mitts pattern, and a copy of The Knitter’s Journal: From Swatch to Stash. The yarn is a pair of high contrast colors of one of my favorite yarns on the planet from Louet. The Turtle Mitts (pictured below) were designed with this yarn, and my Leucadia wrap was too. Louet Gems Fingering is springy and has a nice, even twist to it and comes in many great colors. Pardon the pun, but when I discovered this yarn I really did feel like I’d unearthed a hidden gem!

Cast on a pair of Turtle Mitts, the cute new pattern from Heidi Gustad of Hands Occupied

If you’ve never come across The Knitter’s Journal, there are a few key points I’d like to highlight. It’s a huge help for keeping your yarn habit in line, particularly if you like to design your own patterns or simply make tweaks to existing favorites. There are sturdy pocket pages you can store your swatches right in, and its spiral binding helps the book lay open when your hands are occupied. The book also features glossy cardboard pages to help keep track of your stash, including little holes to help wrangle bits of yarn for reference. It is a great tool for keeping your stash, swatches and design notes in order!

A Thankful Giveaway from Hands Occupied - enter to win two skeins of Louet Gems fingering yarn, a free knitting pattern, and a copy of The Knitter's Journal.

Giveaway & Ravelry Coupon Code

Enter using the box below between now and Thanksgiving Day, easy peasy! I’ll announce the winner in the Picks of the Week post that goes up the day after Thanksgiving. Because there can only be one winner of this thankful giveaway, I’m also offering 20% off any pattern in my Ravelry pattern shop between now and December 1. Just use coupon code THANKFUL when you check out on Ravelry.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Prizes provided by Louet and Jane’s Knitting Kits. Opinions are my own.

Filed Under: Giveaways, Reviews & Sponsored, Knitting & Crochet Tagged With: crochet, giveaway, Knitting, knitting patterns, louet gems, the knitters journal, yarn

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. Kim

    November 10, 2016 at 2:03 pm

    What a lovely gift!

    Reply
  2. cindy l shipley

    November 10, 2016 at 4:55 pm

    Nice patterns and good ideas

    Reply
  3. Sandra Tracey

    November 10, 2016 at 5:09 pm

    Thanks for an awesome giveaway. I adore the look of the mitts! I really love the colors of the two hanks too. I’m really interested in the Knitters Journal too. I’ve often thought ‘oh, I’ll remember that!”..yeah, every knitters famous last words.LOL I look forward to exploring more about the journal. I’m crossing my fingers that the giveaway is open to Canadian residents as well…it’s not stipulated anywhere who all the contest is open to. Thanks for an amazing chance, and the fabulous coupon for more of your patterns. I’ll definitely be using that for some christmas gifts. :)

    Reply
    • Heidi

      November 11, 2016 at 10:08 am

      Hi Sandra!

      It’s open to US & Canada. Whenever you enter, there’s a bit of text that says “By submitting, I agree to the terms & conditions,” in which you’ll find all the details. Just a heads up.

      Best of luck,
      Heidi

      Reply
  4. Carol C

    November 11, 2016 at 2:18 pm

    Great giveaway!

    Reply
  5. Cherri

    November 11, 2016 at 8:46 pm

    Great give away.😁

    Reply
  6. Cherri

    November 11, 2016 at 8:47 pm

    Great giveaway.

    Reply
  7. Susan Biles

    November 12, 2016 at 1:18 pm

    Fabulous giveaway. Whether or not I win, thanks for fabulous patterns and ideas.

    Reply
  8. Linda Newcomb

    November 12, 2016 at 2:42 pm

    I love the pattern on these mitts. They really DO look like turtles!

    Reply
  9. Pam McCamant

    November 12, 2016 at 2:43 pm

    Thank you,, Heidi. I like the Turtle Mitt design.

    Reply
  10. Carol

    November 13, 2016 at 9:13 am

    Great giveaway.

    Reply
  11. Renee Johnson

    November 14, 2016 at 11:32 am

    Super Excited!!! Thanks for the giveaway!!!

    Reply
  12. christie

    November 14, 2016 at 12:59 pm

    Yep, thanks! Lovely yarn!

    Reply
  13. LisaJulane

    November 15, 2016 at 8:40 pm

    I found your site when I was looking for instructions on knitting ends together so that I could finish my infinity Brioche cowl/scarf. I was lucky enough to check out your site in time to join the giveaway.
    I love to read and knit too!
    I’m the webmaster for my local LYS during my free time as well so I really appreciate your responsive and modern site.

    Reply
    • Heidi

      November 16, 2016 at 9:26 am

      Thanks so much! I’m actually in the middle of an update project for the layout, so it’s good to know I’m doing okay so far. :)

      Reply
  14. Lorene Frischknecht

    November 16, 2016 at 2:34 pm

    Thanks so much for doing this! This is a great thing for you to do! I really like the prizes, too!

    Reply
  15. christie

    November 19, 2016 at 1:51 pm

    Thanks for the thoughtful giveaway!

    Reply
  16. kay caldwell

    November 19, 2016 at 3:25 pm

    What great colors… so delighted to be getting your emails now. Most of my email blog notes are from quilting blogs — your’s is refreshing. Thank you so much…

    Reply
  17. Bonnie

    November 19, 2016 at 4:45 pm

    lovely

    Reply
  18. Velda

    November 20, 2016 at 11:53 am

    I love the color of the yarns!

    Reply
  19. Terry

    November 24, 2016 at 12:32 pm

    Thanks for the chance and Hapoy Thanksgiving to all!

    Reply
  20. Terry

    November 24, 2016 at 12:35 pm

    I may have good manners, but my tablet can’t spell ‘good.’ As I tried to say: Happy Thanksgiving to all. (I’m not sure what ‘hapoy’ is :» )

    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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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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