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Hands Occupied

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

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Free Patterns

Dozens of free knitting and crochet patterns ranging from basic scarves to cabled sweaters.

If you're looking for a baby knitting idea that isn't your standard blanket or sweater, this quick-to-make set of stuffed knit toys is just the ticket. Get the free knitting patterns on the Hands Occupied Blog.

Moon & Star Softies – Free Knitting Pattern

July 31, 2020 Leave a Comment

If you’re looking for a baby knitting idea that isn’t your standard blanket or sweater, this quick-to-make set of stuffed knit toys is just the ticket!

The Triangle Rib Baby Hat knits up so quickly! Get your hands on this free charity knitting pattern for babies on Hands Occupied. #charityknitting #freepattern #babyknitting

Triangle Rib Baby Hat for Charity Knitting (plus a Charity KCAL!)

December 4, 2019 Leave a Comment

The Triangle Rib Baby Hat knits up so quickly! Get your hands on this free charity knitting pattern for babies and start stitching for a cause. :)

Just in time for Halloween! Get the free knitting chart for an adorable jack-o-lantern motif with intarsia or duplicate stitch. This free knitting pattern is just so much fun!

Smiling Jack-o’-Lantern Knitting Chart for Halloween

October 25, 2019 2 Comments

Just in time for Halloween! Get the free knitting chart for an adorable jack-o-lantern motif that can be worked with intarsia or duplicate stitch.

Over the Rainbow Softie, a free crochet pattern using 1 package of Lion Brand Bon Bons yarn. Crochet an adorable, on-trend softie toy that easily doubles as DIY nursery decor.

Over the Rainbow Softie – Free Crochet Pattern

September 23, 2019 Leave a Comment

Over the Rainbow Softie, a free crochet pattern using 1 package of Lion Brand Bonbons yarn. Crochet an adorable, on-trend softie toy that easily doubles as DIY nursery decor.

The 45-Minute Wrap, a free arm knitting pattern made with Zen Yarn Garden's Big Up! jumbo weight yarn.

The 45-Minute Wrap – Free Arm Knitting Pattern

September 13, 2019 Leave a Comment

Embrace the larger-than-life craft of arm knitting with a free pattern for The 45-Minute Wrap.

Knit up a simple tablet sleeve to protect your tablet from scratches on the go! The Comfy Tablet Sleeve knits up so quickly, making it a great gift-giving idea too. Get the free knitting pattern.

Comfy Tablet Sleeve – Free Knitting Pattern & Seaming Tutorial

July 16, 2019 Leave a Comment

Knit up a simple sleeve to protect your tablet from scratches on the go! The Comfy Tablet Sleeve knits up so quickly, making it a great gift-giving idea too.

Sun & Flower Pillows - free crochet pattern! Quickly crochet a set of adorable, summery home accessories with the free pattern for these sun and flower-inspired throw pillows! Visit the Hands Occupied blog for the free crochet pattern. #crochet #freepattern #bulkyyarn #quickcrochetproject

Sun & Flower Pillows – Free Crochet Pattern

June 24, 2019 1 Comment

Quickly crochet a set of adorable, summery home accessories with a free pattern for these sun and flower-inspired throw pillows!

A tiny knit stocking is the most adorable way to trim your tree! Get the free knitting pattern for this striped stocking. #christmasornament #stockingornament #freeknittingpattern

Knit Stocking Ornament

December 12, 2018 Leave a Comment

A tiny knit stocking is the most adorable way to trim your tree! Visit this post for the free knitting pattern for this striped stocking ornament.

The gift of citrus fruit, particularly oranges, is a long-standing Christmas treat. To celebrate this old-fashioned holiday tradition, crochet a fast orange ornament for your tree! Get the free pattern on Hands Occupied.

Crochet Orange Ornament

December 3, 2018 5 Comments

The gift of citrus fruit, particularly oranges, is a long-standing Christmastime treat. To celebrate this old-fashioned holiday tradition, crochet a fast orange ornament for your tree with this free pattern!

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

Heidi Gustad 🧶✂️
When you have four big skeins of pretty 2 ply yarn When you have four big skeins of pretty 2 ply yarn, you immediately think sweater, right? 
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My wardrobe could use another handmade sweater - I’m thinking something simple, seamed and with a decent amount of ease for potentially wearing tucked in with jeans or skirts. 🤔 
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Yarn: @universal_yarn Fibra Natura Cobblestone in Antarctica and Dragon’s Breath, wound in thick skeins of 100% superwash wool that’s a light DK weight.
How to to knit throwing (a.k.a. English) style . How to to knit throwing (a.k.a. English) style 
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In knitting, there are a few common knitting styles. Most often you’re going to encounter continental style and English (throwing) style on your knitting journey. I recently had an old video teaching continental style get a lot of views. Based on the comments, it was clear the people wanted to also see a throwing tutorial, so here you go! 🧶
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Please note that there is a LOT of variation in knitting styles, and one isn’t necessarily better than another. Most often, I’ve found it comes down to two things: how you were taught and whether or not you’re really into colorwork knitting (which can involve a mix of styles). 
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Longer-term knitters who’ve made it this far: do you prefer one over the other? And why? 
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#handsoccupied #englishknitting #learntoknit #knitting #howtoknit #knittersofinstagram #knitting_inspiration
How to do a one-step provisional knitting cast on How to do a one-step provisional knitting cast on / a.k.a. crochet provisional cast on, scrap yarn cast on
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I read recently that tiktok and Instagram are being used as search engines more and more. 🤔 I thought since I’m going to all the work of making tutorials on YouTube, I should experiment with making a quick version of them for other platforms. There are obvious teaching limitations to vertical video, short-form content like this, but I think I covered the gist of this cast on in a minute. The YouTube version also covers how to unzip this cast on because there was time for it 👍🏻 L1nk is in my profile. 
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I’m very much looking for feedback as I continue to make instructional knitting & craft videos. Sometimes good tutorials are hard to find, and (ideally polite) feedback helps me improve. 
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#handsoccupied #provisionalcaston #knitting #knititngtutorial #knittersofinstagram #crochethook #knittingtutorial
For the first time in a long time, there’s a new For the first time in a long time, there’s a new tutorial from Hands Occupied! 🎉 The video is live on YouTube & the blog. 
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The post covers what provisional cast ons are & how they differ, and the video covers how to work a one-step provisional cast on using scrap yarn and a crochet hook. (This is a great one to save for future reference.)
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I learned several names for this method while researching this video & post. Crochet provisional cast on, one-step cast on, scrap yarn cast on - if you know even more names for this technique, please share! 
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#handsoccupied #provisionalcaston #knitting #scrapyarn #crochethook
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! 
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What’s on your needles this week? 
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Yarn: @debbieblissknits Cashmerino Aran 
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#handsoccupied #knitting #knittinglife
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