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Hands Occupied

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

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Book Reviews

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!

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.

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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 🧶✂️
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
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! 🪛 
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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? 
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#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. 🔨 
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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! 
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[description: video features a woman hanging a panel of pegboard using a square dowel and drill]
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