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Hands Occupied

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

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Allow me to reintroduce myself.

September 25, 2017 7 Comments

Knit Designer Heidi Gustad modeling the Rhombuster Scarf pattern, available on Ravelry.

I’ve been blogging with varying degrees of seriousness for seven years this month. The thing is, I never set out to be a blogger as a job. Blogging (plus evolving into a knit and crochet designer professionally) just kind of happened. I did work to get here, don’t get me wrong. In the whirlwind of my twenties, I jockeyed between two careers, a creative one (this) and a bookish one (librarianship*). What used to be, “Hey! I built a website and put pictures of various crafts on it!” is now a full time gig. The exact cocktail of what comprises my income is in a constant state of ebb and flow, but I’ve learned this year that that’s the name of the game for freelancers. I’ve got some stuff in the works for big picture plans with Hands Occupied as a blog and as a design business. This post is a solid first step toward one of my goals – being less buttoned up. Specifically I want to share more about what it’s like to be a full time yarn craft designer, teacher and blogger. So let’s do that, shall we?

* But first, let’s pour one out for the one year anniversary of me leaving my full time librarian job. I wonder when it will feel like I’ve really left the profession?

This Year

Before we start talking new things, I think it’s important for me to reflect on the old. Those of you who participated in last spring’s Read Along Knit Along will remember that mid-KAL, pretty much everything in my life hit the fan. (Those who participated in the spring RALKAL had updates in real time, and I do owe one especially lovely RALKALer, Judy, a huge debt of gratitude for taking over the RALKAL discussions during this time!) Brace yourself, this year was a real doozie.

Six months ago, my mother-in-law suddenly passed away at age 65. She was a very kind woman, who raised three beautiful children. I am grateful to have had her in my life for almost a decade. (Though I’m trying to be more open in general starting today, I also am not her child, just the daughter-in-law, and don’t feel it’s my place to share the nitty gritty of the situation beyond the fact that it happened.) Literally while my husband and I were out of state attending her funeral, we received a call informing us that one of our dogs, Storm, had been attacked by another dog at the kennel. We were in rural Arkansas, three hours from the nearest airport, and our dog needed emergency care several states away in Chicago. To make this horrible and long story short, Storm received the care she needed at no financial cost to us. She had a broken leg, approximately 40 stitches, and a couple more gruesome issues that don’t bear discussing for the sake of the queasy reading this. Shortly thereafter, my mom fell down the stairs and suffered an arm break that required surgery and a 12 day visit to North Dakota on my part. Oh, and I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Disease, a bone growth was found in one of my knuckles, and I turned 30.

If you’re counting, that’s one traumatic death, two serious injuries, two medical diagnoses and, although I’m not sure I could care less at this point about aging, I had a big birthday.

It’s funny. When I think over what happened in the last six months, it’s so unbelievable. Having worked as a Librarian on the South Side of Chicago for several years, plus my other library work, I know that I have nothing to complain about in my life. Zero. But what I’ve learned in therapy is that all feelings are valid, and comparing crises and life situations gets a person nowhere in dealing with what they need to deal with. So, this year has been a rough spot, but it could have been worse. I’m stronger for it, and boy did I pick the right year to become a full time freelancer. My flexible schedule meant that I was able to be there for my husband, my in-laws, my dogs, and my own family in ways that were really needed. And it showed me that it’s really important and supremely meaningful to just show up with a pizza gift card and a bottle of wine if someone you know is going through something. Since all of this went down, I’ve been trying to pay forward the kind gestures that folks provided while we were having a hard time. It’s such a good feeling to know you’re putting something good into the world. When you’re completely shut down, and having a hard time even engaging with the reality that’s your own life, someone simply showing up can matter so much.

Crochet Designer Heidi Gustad modeling the Kleenex Share Mitts, available on handsoccupied.com.
The Kleenex Share Mitts, a design project I booked for Hands Occupied in early March.

Knitting My Way Out of a Rough Spot

You know, for having had this blog for this long, you’d think I’d have gotten up the courage to really talk about it being called Hands Occupied before now. Like many, I deal with anxiety and depression. This year has certainly illustrated that I definitely fall more toward the anxiety end of the spectrum. Based on many a conversation with others, it’s obvious that I’m not the only person in the whole world who deals with their stress by marathoning TV, podcasts & audiobooks while plowing through row after row of stitches. I knit and crochet because, for me, it’s a way to get completely lost in a story and a project. (It’s a hell of a lot healthier than drugs or alcohol too, although a little wine never paired poorly with a Knitflix session.) Some call this “getting lost” flow, which is one of the most focused states of mind one can have. Finding flow through yarn crafts is my favorite thing in the world, and I hope Hands Occupied helps some of you find your own flow with tips, tricks, patterns & tutorials. Not everyone can afford the money or time therapy requires, and getting to a flow point with yarn, for me, can be just as helpful if not more so than capital T therapy. That, folks, is what I hope Hands Occupied is able to give you.

Things to come

Okay. That’s plenty of looking back for one blog post (and good job, folks who are still with me!). Let’s look forward. My year tends to run more in line with an academic calendar than a January-December one. I guess the term is “fiscal year” for some? September is home to a lot of highlights for me:

  • the month in which I celebrate my blogaversary (9/23/2010 – check out this uber-short post for a flashback to Hands Occupied day one!).
  • when I remember a tragic loss in my life (that story here).
  • the month I stopped being a Librarian (9/2/2016).

Basically, It’s always a time I’m mentally prepared to take a new task by the horns and MAKE. IT. HAPPEN. It’s a new September, so it’s time for some changes to Hands Occupied. For the coming year, I want to blog a little less, but have each post mean a little more. A couple of new series are headed your way on the blog! Stay tuned for Knitflix, a series of posts dedicated to sharing some of the best binge-worthy shows especially for knitters and crocheters. Also keep those eyes peeled for more video content (I hear you, tutorial-wanters!), and the biggest and best Read Along Knit Along yet casts on NEXT WEEK.

Things to stay in the mix

In addition to the new things, there are some old standbys I can’t bear to part with. The inspirational Things to Knit/Things to Crochet will still happen each month, and Picks of the Week will continue. Monthly yarn reviews & giveaways are here to stay, because who doesn’t love free yarn? And of course, there will still be free patterns, tutorials and the weekly email newsletter to look forward to. (PS: If you’re not signed up for the newsletter, you get 20% off in the pattern shop when you register. Just a heads up!)

All in all

This past year has been all about working hard, trying new things and self-reflection. Kind of a year of throwing things at the wall and seeing what sticks. I have a better sense of what’s working for my business and blog and what isn’t. I understand what I’m about as a designer, and what I like and don’t like to make. I want to continue to share clean and colorful knit and crochet projects, tutorials and inspiration, and I want to throw in other yarn crafts like macrame, weaving, latch hook, etc. as the mood strikes.

And there’s more!

On October 1, Hands Occupied is going to have a wee facelift, and the official Hands Occupied shop will launch. You’ll be able to sign up for workshops & get patterns right on handsoccupied.com. There will also be some giftable goodies for knitters & crocheters added in the coming months too.

For Chicagoans, there’s going to be a bunch of workshops headed your way! I’ve got monthly workshops scheduled starting in November, with plans to expand them as I wrap my mind around how many I can fit in my schedule. There are going to be more new patterns and kits coming as part of the whole workshop project too. A lot more than my hands are going to be occupied this year. ;)

From blog content to workshops to knit and crochet kits, what would you like to see? Any requests for types of patterns, tutorials, videos, workshops, and more are welcome! Let me know your ideas and how your year has been in the comments or by emailing me at heidi @ handsoccupied.com.

One final note: Thank you, everyone, for being patient with me as I quietly process things away from social media. I didn’t want to share my personal junk until I’d had a chance to process it myself, and taking that time was absolutely the right decision. <3

Filed Under: Life Tagged With: crochet design, hands occupied, heidi gustad, knit design

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. Pattymac

    September 25, 2017 at 6:04 pm

    Oh Heidi! What a difficult year!! Oh my goodness. Sometimes in life, when it rains it really does pour. Having been through some of my own rough patches, I can completely empathize with you. The good news is that you’re still standing and you’re still determined and moving forward. Pat yourself on the back for that, because that’s big. I’m so glad we’re online friends and I hope someday we are friends in real life. <3

    Reply
    • Heidi

      September 26, 2017 at 3:18 pm

      Thank you so much, Patty! Your friendship is most appreciated! <3

      Reply
  2. Elizabeth J Nelson

    September 25, 2017 at 11:37 pm

    As my mother would have said, “It’s a great life if you don’t weaken!” (Which she inherited from her own grandmother!)
    I sat down and opened Hands Occupied, having just removed your Sixth Degree Shawl after a wonderful walk and a beautiful sundown in the company of my husband, brother, and pooch!

    Reply
    • Heidi

      September 26, 2017 at 3:22 pm

      Aww – isn’t that such a fun, wearable pattern? I use it all the time myself! :) I love that quote from your family.

      Reply
  3. Allie Gray

    September 26, 2017 at 1:45 am

    You write beautifully! This sure has been a hard year and I am glad you are doing the right things you need to get through it.

    Reply
    • Heidi

      September 26, 2017 at 3:23 pm

      Thank you very much. <3 You're having quite the year yourself, Allie! We got this. (insert arm flex emoji, lol!)

      Reply
  4. Stefanie / elemenopeo

    September 30, 2017 at 6:32 pm

    Such a lovely post. I appreciate your posts and am so excited to see where this career choice takes you. I look forward to the future posts you mentioned and more RALKALs.

    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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