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Hands Occupied

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

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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!

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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 🧶✂️
Weekend knitting design aftermath. Remember kids, Weekend knitting design aftermath. Remember kids, it’s always good to stop, swatch and block it. 🧶
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#stopswatchandblockit #handsoccupied
Learn how to do the magic loop method for knitting Learn how to do the magic loop method for knitting in the round in 90 seconds. / Using the magic loop allows knitters to work in the round with a single, long circular needle at a range of circumferences. 
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For a longer, full-width & more detailed overview of magic loop knitting, check out my u2be & b1og, the 🔗🔗 are where you’d think. 🧶
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#handsoccupied #magicloop #knitting #howtoknit #learntoknit #knitter #knittinginspiration #knittinginstagram #knittingintheround
Since it won’t be clean for long, swipe to see w Since it won’t be clean for long, swipe to see what my home studio looks like these days. Nothing will ever quite be like the old Hands Occupied Studio, but I’m pretty pleased with how I shoehorned everything in this space. Function over form + a layer of yarn cuteness-meets-chaos is how I’d describe my creative space needs. 😆 When I was still renting the studio, those needs included “doesn’t rain suspicious brown water from a crack in the ceiling for a year,” so this is an improvement! 😆
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For a time lapse of the studio organizing and tszuj-ing process, scroll down a couple posts on my feed. (There’s also a video or two featuring the old studio if you’re curious.) Happy June, friends! 
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#handsoccupied #handsoccupiedstudio #knitdesigner #craftdesign #yarncrafts #latchhook #makerlife #heidigustad #chicagocrafter
Who doesn’t love magic loop knitting? Who doesn’t know what it is? How about when circular needles were invented?
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In todays new bl0g post + video tutorial, you’ll learn about the magic loop method for knitting in the round, how to do it and why to use it, and when it came to be. The 🔗 is in my b1o. 🧶 
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#handsoccupied #magicloop #knitting #howtoknit #knittinginspiration #knittingintheround
Finally organizing & putting the finishing touches Finally organizing & putting the finishing touches on my home studio. After losing my studio space last fall, it’s feels really great to *occupy* this new space all the way. 😉
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I started by removing general clutter & returning straggler supplies from various WIPs, videos & design deadlines to their homes. Next, I hung a third peg board in the space - this one is mostly for display and less for organizing tools or projects. For the first time ever, I’m displaying projects from my book, plus a couple other faves. (The best thing about designing more yarn crafts besides knit & crochet is that I have some really fun -and delightfully pettable 😆- samples around.) I finished by adding a square dowel to my small supply storage tower to keep it from tipping over, plus re-arranging and de-cluttering the closet. 
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This cleaner space already has me feeling so much more creative and less overwhelmed. Now to find a safe spot in the basement for the tower of project samples in Rubbermaid tubs I liberated from my WIPs closet. Also why are there five?! 
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Here’s to keeping it clean for a few weeks! 🧶 
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#handsocupied #handsoccupiedstudio #craftroom #craftroomorganization #craftroomstorage #yarncraft #knitter #crocheter #latchhook #latchhookbook
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