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Hands Occupied

Contemporary yarn crafts by Heidi Gustad. Knitting, crochet, latch hook and macrame.

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The Little Butterfly Stitch adds so much character to simple stockinette. Only a little funky to knit, and it packs a huge visual punch!

Little Butterfly Stitch (a.k.a. Bowknot Stitch) Video Tutorial

February 26, 2021 Leave a Comment

Learn how to knit an adorable stitch with two names. The Little Butterfly Stitch (also known as Bowknot Stitch) adds so much character to simple stockinette. Only a little funky to knit, and it packs a huge visual punch!

Heidi from Hands Occupied walks you through how to knit the beautiful Diamond Brocade Stitch. This stitch has a clear right side and is worked over 8 rows.

Diamond Brocade Stitch Video Tutorial

February 17, 2021 2 Comments

Learn how to knit the beautiful Diamond Brocade Stitch in an easy-to-follow video tutorial. This stitch has a clear right side and is worked over 8 rows.

Four skeins of primary colored yarn in color as well as black and white, used to help explain the concept of color value.

Color Value for Makers

February 5, 2021 Leave a Comment

Let’s talk a bit about color theory for makers, beginning with the concept of color value. This is a great place to start if you’re having trouble selecting yarn colors for projects.

Learn about 5 common yarn ball types, what they're called, and how to work with them!

5 Types of Yarn Ball & How to Work with Them

January 31, 2021 Leave a Comment

Learn about 5 common yarn ball types, what they’re called, and how to work with them!

An in-progress seamed sweater knitting project by Hands Occupied.

2021: A Year for Self-Care

January 27, 2021 4 Comments

An update on where Hands Occupied is headed in 2021 after a much-needed break.

Heidi from Hands Occupied wearing her primary colored version of the So Faded sweater by Andrea Mowry.

Stop, it’s recharge time!

January 8, 2021 4 Comments

A quick update on taking a short break to recharge for the new year!

Picks of the Week for December 18, 2020 |

Picks of the Season

December 18, 2020 Leave a Comment

Check out some festive finds for the 2020 making season!

Wet blocking, also called immersive blocking, is one of the most common methods for finishing a knitting project and helping ensure its final size and shape. Learn basic blocking for absolute beginners in an easy-to-follow video tutorial.

Blocking 101 Video Tutorial

December 11, 2020 Leave a Comment

Wet blocking, also called immersive blocking, is one of the most common methods for finishing a knitting project and helping ensure its final size and shape. Learn basic blocking for absolute beginners in an easy-to-follow video tutorial.

A still from the new @handsoccupied TikTok page, specifically a video explaining the different names for yarn balls.

Making My Way Through The Rest of 2020

November 24, 2020 Leave a Comment

I recently realized that taking on a larger, challenging project as well as a fun one might help me cope with the rest of this, uh, wild year.

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Heidi Gustad from Hands Occupied / Craft Book Author and Knitting, Crochet, Latch Hook and Macrame Designer

Hi! I’m Heidi, an author, yarn craft designer and content creator specializing in knitting, crochet, latch hook & macrame. My work unapologetically features primary colors and vintage-meets-modern style. My first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is now available!

Professionally I’m most known for: advanced intarsia knitting design & modern latch hook design.

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Latch Hook by Heidi Gustad

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handsoccupied

Craft book author & content creator in love with primary colors & vintage vibes. / #latchhookbook out now!
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knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé

Heidi Gustad 🧶✂️
“You’re telling me words can be pronounced in “You’re telling me words can be pronounced in different ways and mean the same things?!” 👀 Posting this here, just to make it clear: when anyone says skayne, skeen, or skyne, it can be safely assumed we’re talking about a bundle o’ yarn,  a SKEIN. It’s not necessary to shame someone for using a word that is known to have MULTIPLE common pronunciations. 🧶
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Can you plz comment sharing how you say SKEIN and where you learned it? The OED happens to say SKAYNE, but it’s not a personal attack if someone says SKEEN and you say SKYNE or even Saskatoon. I’m legitimately curious. We don’t all knit or crochet the same way, and craft evolves a bit like language - it is passed on. There is so much value in having conversations about & embracing these variations! ✌🏻
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Pictured: A blond woman holds a skein of mustard yellow yarn up to her head like a phone, looking shocked. She’s wearing glasses & a knit sweater. 
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#handsoccupied #heidigustad #skein #yarn #yarncraft #knit #crochet #yarnaddict #knitincolor #soldotnacrop #language #englishisweird #oed #oxfordenglishdictionary
Sometimes my weekend projects involve hair rather Sometimes my weekend projects involve hair rather than yarn. Here’s the latest mediocre-but-improving result of my slow quest to learn to set vintage inspired curls. 💇🏼‍♀️ I’m hoping to be able to wash my hair less using a regular vintage set, but we’ll see if it ends up being practical. 😆 Hair frustrates me so much more than crafts! 
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Do you also style your hair using vintage methods? If you have any tips for vintage hair styling or good resources to share, please do!
I suppose this is one way to decide what yarn colo I suppose this is one way to decide what yarn color suits your pooch. 😆 Navy really might be Woodrow‘s color - what do you think? 
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Pictured: A medium sized, brown, senior dog asleep on a green bed. For some reason a donut ball of navy wool yarn sits on his head.
The first stitch tutorial of the new year is live The first stitch tutorial of the new year is live on YouTube! Diamond Brocade is a great knit+purl only stitch for beginners or anyone wanting a classic look for their knitting project. Find the video with a written stitch pattern on the blog or head directly to the video on YouTube. Both are linked in bio. ✌🏻 
#kpambassadorsfeb21 #sponsored
When your WIP loves ya back! 🥰 This may or may When your WIP loves ya back! 🥰 This may or may not be the third sample I’m making for an upcoming YouTube series on knitting seamed & vintage sweaters. I figure I’ll get to wear them all at the end, so why not? 🧶🤓 
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Pictured: A few rows of knit ribbing on long circular needles arranged in the shape of a heart on a cream background. The yarn used is @knit_picks Twill worsted weight in Crabapple (wine red). The glasses stitch marker was a diy. 
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#kpambassadorsfeb21 #sponsored #handsoccupied #vintageknitting #sweaterknitting #redyarn #knitinspiration #knitincolor #wool #redheart #handmadewardrobe #knit #heidigustad #knitpicks #knitpickstwill
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