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Hands Occupied

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

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DIY Style

DIY Comic Book Compact at Hands Occupied

DIY Comic Book Compact

March 5, 2014 4 Comments

Inspired by a love of action movies and lifelong wish to BE Sydney Bristow, this made-over compact makes me smile every time I reach for it in my purse. I used to carry around a vintage gold compact for powdering my nose, but the wear and tear on it was no good. Then I switched to a plastic, non-vintage compact, so it was ok when it got scratched up by keys or other purse ephemera. But it was looking pretty bad. The solution? Bust out the Mod Podge!

Pinch Me Pendant for St. Patrick's Day

Pinch Me Pendant for St. Patrick’s Day

March 3, 2014 2 Comments

Today’s easy metal stamping DIY takes just minutes to make and is super cute. It’s also a little more subtle than a giant Kiss Me, I’m Irish button, right? :)

DIY Light-up Cuff Bracelet at Hands Occupied

DIY Light-Up Cuff Bracelet

February 24, 2014 4 Comments

Etextiles are pretty cool, but somehow actually attempting an electronics project didn’t happen until this week. I’m so glad I finally took a workshop because they’re SO COOL. And not nearly as scary as I thought. Not by a long shot. Today’s tutorial covers the very basics of working with LED bulbs and creating a simple circuit with conductive thread to make a bracelet that lights up when you wear it.

All Cables Cowl Knitting Pattern at Hands Occupied

All Cables Cowl Pattern

February 18, 2014 1 Comment

It thundersnowed in Chicago yesterday, which means winter knitting season isn’t quite over yet. Unlike my faux woven cowl from last month, today’s cowl features a series of small cabled stripes all the way around and is made with less bulky yarn. Also unlike that cowl, it breathes a little more, so it’s great for transitional weather.

Olympic Rings Sunglasses at Hands Occupied

Olympic Rings Sunglasses

February 17, 2014 4 Comments

There are SO not enough Olympic themed crafts for adults floating around the DIY blogosphere. Today, I continue my crusade to change that with some medal-worthy sunglasses for cheering on your favorite team. Made with oven bake clay and some strong glue, these sunglasses are totally going to be something I whip out for every Olympic opening ceremony party, viewing party, closing ceremony party, watch party and Olympic bar crawl for the rest of my life. I’m so pumped about them!

DIY Color Blocked Glitter Bangle at Hands Occupied

DIY Color Blocked Glitter Bangle Bracelet

February 4, 2014 4 Comments

Don’t you just love a DIY that takes something that cost a quarter and makes it look like a million bucks? Well, maybe not a million, but more than 25 cents! I got a bangle bracelet at a thrift store years ago and realized I hadn’t been wearing it at all as it was, so a quickie makeover was in order!

Easy Friendship Bracelet Sunglasses, Thread Wrapped Glasses at Hands Occupied

Easy Friendship Bracelet Sunglasses

January 28, 2014 4 Comments

I can’t even tell you how many hours I spent making friendship bracelets as a kid! Using some epic Lolita sunglasses as a canvas, I thought it would be cool to inject a little nostalgia for my childhood into a project and personal style – as well as a little nostalgia for the warmer weather that usually went along with summer camp-style crafting. Who wouldn’t want to rock some crazy sunglasses like this this Valentine’s Day? Or any day, really?

Knitted Faux Woven Cowl - Free Knitting Pattern at Hands Occupied

Faux Woven Cowl – The Warmest in the World!

January 20, 2014 33 Comments

Knit a cowl with a woven effect and you’ll have the warmest DIY accessory ever! Includes a video tutorial to help you master the faux weave.

DIY Glitter Nails for New Year's Eve

Glitter Nails for NYE

December 30, 2013 2 Comments

A simple DIY manicure to help add some bling to your new year!

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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 🧶✂️
It’s been a hot second since I showed my face or It’s been a hot second since I showed my face or reintroduced myself, so here goes! I’m Heidi Gustad, a craft book author, pattern designer, and tutorial creator who specializes in yarn crafts. Lately, I’ve been focused on releasing quality knitting videos and related blog posts to help teach things like the difference between provisional cast ons and how to fix common knitting mistakes. Next week I’m shooting requested crochet and latch hook videos, so h👀kers, your time is coming! And if you ever have tutorial requests, please let me know. ☺️
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TLDR: I’m Heidi. I design & teach yarn crafts. You can find tutorials on my blog (est. 2010) & You2be. I also have several knitting & crochet patterns + a book about latch hook available. / All of these can be found on my website, the 🔗 is where you’d think. 
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#handsoccupied #fridayintroduction #heidigustad #knitting #knitter #knittersofinstagram #yarncrafts #latchhookbook
Are you a picker or a thrower? Do you knit Contine Are you a picker or a thrower? Do you knit Continental or English Style? Here’s a quick overview of the differences between the two most common knitting styles, including a side by side comparison. (A good one to save for future reference. 👍🏻) 
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There’s more on the differences between picking and throwing in my latest blog post & You 2ube video - the l1nk is where you’d think!
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#handsoccupied #learntoknit #knittingstyles #howtoknit #knittersofinstagram #knitter
Spent time with family this weekend down South. Go Spent time with family this weekend down South. Got some stitching in & felt spring for a minute, which was lovely. ☀️ 
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I’ll be catching up on comments, etc. tomorrow. 
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#handsoccupied #travelknitting #planeknitting
Which way do you knit? Picking, throwing, Portugue Which way do you knit? Picking, throwing, Portuguese, Shetland… how about lever style? 
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Today on the blog, we’re defining & comparing the two most common knitting styles: continental and throwing. They’re each known by a few names, and odds are one of them really is your grandmother’s knitting style (if she’s a western knitter that is). There’s a new video to help demonstrate the differences too. Another good one to save & share! 😉 
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#handsoccupied #continentalknitting #englishknitting #americanknitting #howtoknit
This past weekend, my husband and I visited family This past weekend, my husband and I visited family out of state. Here’s what I packed to keep my hands occupied for the drive. 😉 
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I try my hardest to be realistic about how much knitting I’m going to get done vs. the effort of schlepping my WIP(s) and yarn around. I definitely almost brought double this amount of yarn, which would have been hilariously unnecessary for a weekend trip. Why am I like this? 😆 Do you also struggle with overpacking when it comes to crafts? 
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#handsoccupied #travelknitting #knitting #knitter #knittersofinstagram #knitting_inspiration
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