• 0 items$0.00
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Hands Occupied

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

  • BLOG
    • Knitting
    • Crochet
    • Latch Hook
    • Macramé
    • Punch Needle
  • ABOUT
  • Shop
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • YouTube

Carousel Horses and New Year Plans

January 19, 2023 8 Comments

A blond woman with glasses and cardigan knits while looking down at her project.
Since I know folks will ask, I’m wearing an old sweater of my grandpa’s that matched my glasses and knitting.

It’s been a quiet couple of years in terms of output from yours truly. Between losing my Studio space and a range of small setbacks, I found myself succumbing to burnout more and more easily. As a former public librarian, burnout is a feeling I became acquainted with in the months leading up to my leaving the profession years ago. That familiar feeling has had me reconsidering my creative career for the past few years. Especially after finishing my book in 2020, I struggled to find interest in crafting like I used to. (A couple of world events may or may not have added a little *spice* to the mix too. 😉)

Thinking positively, this creative ambivalence led to me finding the time, strength, & juice to explore why I needed such a massive coping mechanism in my life. I wanted to explore why I had so much anxiety that I’d craft until I had a repetitive stress injury (carpal tunnel & tendinitis, usually). Or why I always had to travel with at least a couple WIPs in tow. It may be something the yarn community loves to joke about on TikTok or Instagram Reels, but compulsively staying up for hours past my bedtime, lost in a project, on a regular basis, for me, was not a sign of great mental health.

Short of sharing the nitty gritty of my personal journey with therapy, let’s just say something I’ve always said about Hands Occupied: it didn’t get its name out of nowhere. I’ve always been anxious. Knitting, followed by other yarn crafts and sewing, was my first healthy coping mechanism for that stress. Over the years, it became clear that just crafting wasn’t going to address my anxiety, but I’m so grateful it helped me be able to carry it better. Therapy has helped me process the lessons I’m learning and sections of life I’m reflecting on. I’ll always be a crafter, but for the last few years, I wasn’t sure I still wanted to craft professionally. 

The funny thing about burnout and therapy is that on the other side of the disjointed processing process, I found the desire to keep crafting, just with a lot more intention. Being a creative person online can sometimes feel like you’re stuck on a carousel, strapped in your seat, going around and around in the same circle, without a way to get off. 

To continue this comparison, there’s not much I can do about the carousel feeling that creative work evokes, but this time, I’m not getting on that carnival ride blindly.  I know that I need to pick a horse to ride that’s sustainable to avoid feeling so burned out again. Maybe one of the comfier seats will be available? 

Thank you for indulging this extended metaphor.

What’s next?

In the coming weeks, you can expect new video tutorials from Hands Occupied! It’s kind of where I left off after launching my book, and YouTube is a space that can always use quality needlecraft content. A great place to start the new year is casting on, don’t you think? Some of my most popular YouTube videos feature cast on tutorials, and there are several techniques I have yet to cover. I’ve hosted a lot of videos for other companies in the past, but I’ve never been in control of the editing, distribution, or ownership if it wasn’t done for my own Hands Occupied channel. It just feels like the right next step… the right carnival horse, if you will. 😉

More to come soon,

Heidi

Filed Under: Life Tagged With: Knitting, social media, youtube

About Heidi

Heidi Gustad is a craft book author & content creator in love with primary colors & vintage vibes. She specializes in knitting, crochet, latch hook and macramé, and her first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is out now!

Previous Post: « A Farewell to the Studio Space, but Not Hands Occupied

Reader Interactions

DID YOU LIKE THIS POST?
Visit similar articles...

  • The New Hands Occupied YouTube Channel is Live!The New Hands Occupied YouTube Channel is Live!
  • The Long Tail Tubular Cast OnThe Long Tail Tubular Cast On
  • Yarniversal Championship Belt Design Diary & A New YouTube SeriesYarniversal Championship Belt Design Diary & A New YouTube Series
  • Dimple Stitch Video TutorialDimple Stitch Video Tutorial

DON’T MISS ANOTHER UPDATE

Comments

  1. redhandledscissors

    January 19, 2023 at 9:55 am

    I’m just here saying hi and being glad that you exist!

    Reply
    • Heidi

      January 19, 2023 at 10:18 am

      Thanks, Haley! You made my morning.:)

      Reply
  2. Katie

    January 19, 2023 at 5:08 pm

    I was just rereading your book this week and love it just as much as always. It brings me such joy! I hope you can find something healthy that sparks more joy for you too. :)

    Reply
    • Heidi

      January 24, 2023 at 10:52 am

      Thanks so much, Katie! :)

      Reply
  3. jeanie

    January 21, 2023 at 8:41 am

    Hi Heidi, what a thoughtful post and one that resonates. Last night we were watching a video and I though, “I need to be doing something with my hands,” and of course I had no ongoing project so that would mean stopping the stream, digging out something that may or may not be something I want to do right now and starting. So, I didn’t — and felt edgy about it all through the show!

    I was pleased to see your blog turn up in my feed again. Congratulations on your book. And good luck with your videos and picking the right horse to ride. (Do you remember me from your time at WKAR? I used to work across the hall from you and Bill.) — jeanie from Marmelade Gypsy

    Reply
    • Heidi

      January 24, 2023 at 10:54 am

      It’s great to hear from you, and I remember you from WKAR! Thank you for the kind words about the book. Hoping you’re well!

      Reply
  4. Marcia

    January 22, 2023 at 10:07 pm

    Looking forward to learning from you. I need to learn how to fix knitting mistakes like picking up dropped stitches etc. Is there anything you have on your site about this?

    Thanks

    Reply
    • Heidi

      January 24, 2023 at 10:57 am

      I am going to do some new videos in the next month or so about fixing mistakes, “laddering down”, etc., which I think is what you’re looking for. It’s been on my to-tutorial list forever!

      For now, I have a video tutorial & blog post on fixing brioche knitting (why I did brioche before everyday dropped stitches? no clue 😆): https://www.handsoccupied.com/fixing-brioche/ Stay tuned for the new videos – I’m aiming for February for those.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

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.

UPDATES BY EMAIL

Monthly highlights sent to your inbox.

Find Me Elsewhere, If You’re There

  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
Latch Hook by Heidi GustadDiscover Unique Items

Footer

INSTAGRAM

handsoccupied

Craft book author & pattern designer ❤️💛💙
knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé
.
Please email for pattern support. 🧶

Heidi Gustad 🧶✂️
Working on a sample for some upcoming videos. It’s an overcast day with intermittent sunshine & I have a scruffy little sidecar. 🐶 Can’t complain! 
.
What’s on your needles this week? 
.
Yarn: @debbieblissknits Cashmerino Aran 
.
#handsoccupied #knitting #knittinglife
Peg boards and craft room organization go together Peg boards and craft room organization go together like peanut butter and jelly. So, as you can see, do latch hook tools and screwdriver organizers! 🪛 
.
I think this trick translates to any tool with a thick handle, so leather working tools, punch needles, print making tools, etc. should work! What other tools am I, a needlecrafter, blanking on right now? 
.
#craftorganization #handsoccupied #latchhook #latchhooking
Pegboard storage is my favorite for craft supplies Pegboard storage is my favorite for craft supplies, so getting a few hung in my new studio has been a priority. Here’s my first attempt. 🔨 
.
Details: This pegboard panel is for organizing my knitting needles, latch hook tools, sewing thread, etc. It doesn’t need to hold much weight, so I didn’t anchor this into a stud - just used basic drywall anchors. I’ve also got a set of two 2’x4’ panels for another spot in my studio, and those will need a stud/more than 3 drywall anchors. Wish me luck! 
.
[description: video features a woman hanging a panel of pegboard using a square dowel and drill]
It’s time for the annual Hands Occupied new year 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 what I’m doing next. ❤️ Head to the blog to read all about it, the 1ink is where you’d think. 
.
#handsoccupied #knitting #creativeburnout
June’s face is giving, “What fresh heck is thi June’s face is giving, “What fresh heck is this?” 😆
.
June’s big ears can get cold in winter, so I’m improvising a doggie ear warmer/hood for her. What are the odds she tries to shred it immediately when it’s done? 
.
#knitting #knittingfordogs #handsoccupied #schneagle #wipwednesday #wip
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2023 / Foodie Pro Theme On Genesis Framework / Branding by Ink + Mortar
All Site & Shop Policies / Privacy Policy / Cookie Policy