• 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

Giveaways, Reviews & Sponsored

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!

High Desert Yarn Review & Giveaway

April 21, 2021 1 Comment

New yarn alert! Knit Picks High Desert is available in a range of jewel tone colors & two weights. Take a closer look & enter to win FOUR skeins of this versatile yarn that’s 100% American from sheep to skein.

Sometimes it may seem like seamless sweaters are the only way to go, but let's take a look at 7 reasons to knit a seamed sweater - you might find yourself ready to mix up your making!

7 Reasons to Knit Seamed Sweaters

August 31, 2020 11 Comments

Sometimes it may seems like seamless sweaters are the only way to go, but let’s take a look at 7 reasons to knit a seamed sweater – you might find yourself ready to mix up your making!

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!

New yarn alert! Cabrito is a laceweight kid mohair blend in a fun range of colors.

Manos del Uruguay Cabrito Yarn Review & Giveaway

June 9, 2020 Leave a Comment

New yarn alert! Cabrito is a laceweight kid mohair blend in a fun range of colors. Take a closer look & enter to win a skein PLUS an iridescent row counter ring from Knitter’s Pride.

Ever wanted to knit or crochet something in team colors, only to be disappointed by the very plasticy options available? In this month's yarn review and giveaway, let me introduce you to KnitPal, a company specializing in hand dyed wool yarns in accurate team colors.

KnitPal Yarn Review & Giveaway

December 20, 2019 3 Comments

Ever wanted to knit or crochet something in team colors, only to be disappointed by the very plasticy options available? In this month’s yarn review and giveaway, let me introduce you to KnitPal, a company specializing in hand dyed wool yarns in accurate team colors.

Next steps with knitCompanion: Learn how to knit more and frog less with one of the best apps out there for crafters.

Next Steps with knitCompanion

December 2, 2019 Leave a Comment

Next steps with knitCompanion: Learn how to knit more and frog less with one of the best apps out there for crafters.

Make a giant friendship bracelet-inspired runner for your Friendsgiving table! Knotted with 100% American wool, this easy project doubles as a hostess gift and macramé scarf. Visit handsoccupied.com to learn how to make this easy Thanksgiving craft project.

Giant Friendship Bracelet Table Runner for Friendsgiving

November 27, 2019 1 Comment

Make a giant friendship bracelet-inspired runner for your Friendsgiving table! Knotted with 100% American wool, this easy project doubles as a hostess gift and macramé scarf.

Meet Stratosphere, a DK weight, superwash wool yarn. This yarn is great for colorwork, sweaters, and long-wearing projects. Learn more about this American-made yarn and enter to win a skein!

Brown Sheep Stratosphere Yarn Review & Giveaway

November 20, 2019 3 Comments

Meet Stratosphere, a DK weight, superwash wool yarn. This yarn is great for colorwork, sweaters, and long-wearing projects. Learn more about this American-made yarn and enter to win a skein!

  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to page 3
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Go to page 21
  • Go to Next Page »

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 🧶✂️
How to to knit throwing (a.k.a. English) style . How to to knit throwing (a.k.a. English) style 
.
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! 🧶
.
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). 
.
Longer-term knitters who’ve made it this far: do you prefer one over the other? And why? 
.
#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
.
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. 
.
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. 
.

#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. 
.
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.)
.
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! 
.
#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! 
.
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
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