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Hands Occupied

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

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

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 photo, video and animated GIF tutorials.)

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

Knitting Styles: Continental vs. Throwing (with Video)

March 1, 2023 Leave a Comment

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 Leave a Comment

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 3 Comments

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 10 Comments

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 Leave a Comment

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

Three making related books sit in a pile on a blue background.

Summer Reading for Makers

August 2, 2022 1 Comment

Check out three new books written with makers in mind, and enter to win one for yourself!

inside out nordic star sweater: Isabel Marant Fall 2018 Ready-to-Wear Fashion Show Collection

2022 Mood Board / What is a mood board in knitting?

February 23, 2022 5 Comments

One of the coolest things about being a pattern designer is gathering inspiration. Take a look at what’s got my wheels turning this year.

Heidi (Hands Occupied) reacts in horror to the time.

It’s 2022 already?

February 9, 2022 1 Comment

An update about what’s next from Hands Occupied!

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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, designer & creator specializing in yarn crafts like knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé
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Heidi Gustad 🧶✂️
Nobody panic. This is just the back of an (admitte Nobody panic. This is just the back of an (admittedly insane) intarsia project. One day, this will be a seamed sweater, but today is not that day. 🧶 
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Have a good weekend, everyone! 
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Yarn: @universal_yarn’s Fibra Natura Cobblestone in Antarctica & Dragon’s Breath 
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#handsoccupied #intarsia #intarsiaknitting #wip #knitting
Here’s how to work a Norwegian purl stitch for e Here’s how to work a Norwegian purl stitch for easier continental style knitting. With this purling method, the working yarn says tensioned (held) at the back of your knitting at all times. For many knitters, always holding the yarn at the back helps with tension issues, as well as feeling a little more comfortable. 
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Have you ever encountered this style of purling before? If you’ve tried it, have you found it helps with your purl tension and knitting speed? I’m curious.
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For a written tutorial, visit handsoccupied-dot-com. For video, you guessed it, You2be. Both of these platforms allow for longer, more in-depth versions of this tutorial, including full transcripts, alt text & the ability to pause, slow down or speed up at will. (Like if you really want to learn this, I recommend using a platform that doesn’t keep your hands occupied. Thinking of putting this in all my captions these days tbh - shout out to you if you made it this far. 🙌🏻😂)
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#handsoccupied #learntoknit #continentalknitting #howtoknit #norwegianpurl #norwegianknitting #knit #knitting #knitter #knittersofinstagram #knittinghack  #handknitting #handknit #norwegianpurling
Have you ever tried this style of purl? . All thi Have you ever tried this style of purl? 
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All this recent talk about throwing vs. continental style knitting made it clear many people struggle with purling in continental knitting. Turns out that Norway may have the answer! In Norwegian purling, the working yarn stays tensioned at the back at all times, helping with speed and tension. 🤯
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Head to the bl0g (🔗 in bi0) for a more in-depth look at how to work a Norwegian purl stitch, including a photo tutorial with animated GIF & a video tutorial. Wrapping your mind around how to work a stitch you’re familiar with in a totally new way can be confusing, so I tried to give a few options for clarity. 🤙🏻 Video is also on You2be. 
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#handsoccupied #norwegianpurl #norwegianknitting #norwegianpurling #continentalknitting #howtoknit #learntoknit #knitterofinstagram #knitters
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
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