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Hands Occupied

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

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Book Reviews

Weaving Within Reach is a beautiful new craft book from Anne Weil, author of Knitting Without Needles and blogger behind Flax & Twine. 

Weaving Within Reach Book Review

November 1, 2018 Leave a Comment

Weaving Within Reach is a beautiful new craft book from Anne Weil, author of Knitting Without Needles and blogger behind Flax & Twine. Much like her first title, Weaving Within Reach brings makers innovative, beautifully-styled projects to accessorize you and your home. 

Improper Cross Stitch by Haley Pierson-Cox is an irreverent, fun & contemporary take on an all-time classic craft. Filled with 35+ fun patterns and an accessible guide to cross stitch, this book will have you stitching and grinning all day long!

A peek inside Improper Cross-Stitch by Haley Pierson-Cox

October 11, 2018 Leave a Comment

Improper Cross-Stitch by Haley Pierson-Cox is an irreverent, fun & contemporary take on an all-time classic craft. Filled with 35+ fun patterns and an accessible guide to cross-stitch, this book will have you stitching and grinning all day long!

The new Washi Tape Craft Crafts book from Amy Anderson of Mod Podge Rocks is super adorable and packed with fun, easy DIYs!

Sometimes I design non-yarn crafts too. (+A Giveaway!)

October 20, 2015 4 Comments

Check out the new book Washi Tape Crafts, which includes a fun design from yours truly. Enter to win a copy too!

A book review of Knitting Without Needles by Anne Weil of Flax & Twine

Knitting Without Needles

September 24, 2015 2 Comments

Filled with beautiful photographs, Anne Weil’s new book, Knitting without Needles is the perfect book to gift. Whether it’s for the knitter curious about arm knitting, the wannabe knitter who can’t quite tame her needles, or simply your favorite crafter, this book is for them.

West Coast Love Book Review | Hands Occupied

West Coast Love & A free pattern!

February 25, 2015 1 Comment

Check out a super fun new book featuring 20 embroidery designs inspired by the west coast!

Ever had a craft fail? | handsoccupied.com

Ever had a Craft Fail?

October 29, 2014 2 Comments

We’ve all been there. We had an awesome idea (or at least saw one on Pinterest), we tried making it… and failed miserably. A new book just came out called Craft Fail that covers it all – everything from misspelled cross stitch to crochet mice that look more like rabid honey badgers!

Knockout Knits Book Review at handsoccupied.com

Knockout Knits

October 15, 2014 6 Comments

Knockout Knits is a new knitting book featuring accessory patterns by Craftsy instructor and knitting designer Laura Nelkin. As one would expect from this publisher, Potter Craft, the photography and styling are wonderful. If you couldn’t guess by its cover, this book has a really nice rustic vibe, and the patterns featured are super perfect for fall knitting and wearing.

Crush Creative Demons with Mighty Ugly at HandsOccupied.com

Crush Creative Demons with Make It Mighty Ugly

September 24, 2014 Leave a Comment

Make It Mighty Ugly: Exercises and Advice for Getting Creative Even When It Ain’t Pretty is a book by OG internet crafting mover and shaker Kim Werker. This book is all about helping readers understand what creative demons are, why we might have them, and – importantly – how to identify, confront and overcome them.

Knitting Reimagined Book Review at handsoccupied.com

Knitting Reimagined

August 14, 2014 1 Comment

This book isn’t so much on trend as it is beyond trend. Legendary knitwear designer Nicky Epstein’s new book Knitting Reimagined presents 25 innovative patterns that are conceptualized differently than a lot of knitwear you might have encountered on your knitting journeys. Knitting your way through this book would be an amazing way to get inspired to do something new next time you’re feeling bored with knitting yet another cardi or wrap.

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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!

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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 🧶✂️
There’s an update on the blog today, & it’s ab There’s an update on the blog today, & it’s about how I’m going to take the next 2 weeks off to rest & recharge. ☺️🧶 No new content for y’all means I can also take a moment to zoom out & plan what’s next. Link is in bio. 
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A note on Very Serious Crafts: In the post I discuss stepping away from the @seriouscrafts podcast to give myself more time to devote to some minor medical issues. Don’t you worry - my health will be fine, & @molliejohanson @redhandledscissors and I are still pals, and after a short break of their own, the podcast will be back! Just sans moi. 💁🏼‍♀️😆 
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See you in a couple weeks! ✌🏻#handsoccupied #knitdesign #craftdesign #sofadedsweater
Been a little quiet this holiday week, as it shoul Been a little quiet this holiday week, as it should be. ☺️🎄The past few days have been filled with a lot of catching up on festive zoom calls & raising toasts to the camera. 🥂 Connecting with people has been a welcome change of pace! Now I’m feeling ready to meet my inevitable end-of-year deadlines. 😆
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Warmest wishes for the season, my friends! ❤️💛💙
Hi, I’m Heidi, the craft book author & maker beh Hi, I’m Heidi, the craft book author & maker behind Hands Occupied! 👋🏻 I’ve been enjoying making Reels a lot lately, but I wanted to bop in to share a regular photo & say hello. 🤓 
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rather than giving you my bio right now, I have a question. I just got this new sweater & I can’t stop imaging how funny it would be to wear this to a knitting class ... is that bad? 🤣🤣🤣
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Pictured: a blond woman with glasses wearing a sweater that reads “all your sweaters are ugly” standing in front of a Christmas tree.
Wet blocking, also called immersive blocking, is o 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 (non-Reel!) video tutorial! Catch the tutorial on YouTube or the Hands Occupied Blog, link is in bio. 🧶 #handsoccupied #stopswatchandblockit #KPAmbassadorsDec20 #sponsored
Had to share this perfect capture of one of my fav Had to share this perfect capture of one of my favorite weird homemade Christmas ornaments: a simple macramé Santa face with beads for the eyes and nose! My Great-Grandma made it too. 🎄
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Might have to try making a quickie Reel tutorial for this guy - I think it’s the perfect project for it, don’t you? 🎅🏼 #handsoccupied #macrame
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