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Hands Occupied

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

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Home Decor

Yarn Swatch Wall Art at handsoccupied.com

Yarn Swatch Wall Art

August 4, 2014 3 Comments

Since I apparently can’t get yarn off my brain at any given time, today’s DIY wall art idea is inspired by the yarn swatches you’d knit to test the gauge of your yarn before casting on a new project. This would make a great gift for any knitting lover in your life – it’s back to school time, does your kid’s teacher have a yarn addiction? Or maybe their librarian… ;)

Stenciled Coffee Table Makeover at Hands Occupied

Stenciled Coffee Table Makeover

March 19, 2014 7 Comments

I got to try one of the new Stencil1 stencils this week, which I was really excited about because I’m a fan of Ed Roth, the designer behind the line. He’s known for bridging the gap between street artists like Banksy and craft world faves like Martha. In short, this line is right up my alley. I’ve had a sad, sad, sad coffee table lying around for years, and these larger stencils were just what the DIY doctor ordered for it.

Giant God's Eye Wall Hanging for Valentine's Day

Giant Valentine’s Day God’s Eye

February 10, 2014 Leave a Comment

Isn’t this such a surprisingly chic project? I got my hands on a couple of vintage arrows and have been dying to DIY with them for months! Of course these arrows came to mind when I was brainstorming Valentine’s project this year. What started as a simple vintage find became this ginormous God’s eye. The finished DIY really reminds me of some of the Native American-influenced crazy tapestries of the 1970s. I imagine this on the wall of Cupid’s swinging pad back in the day.

Washi Tape Diamond Wall Decor

Shine Bright, Washi Diamond

January 6, 2014 2 Comments

Take your space from zing to bling with half a roll of washi tape!

O (mini) Christmas Tree - Hands Occupied

O (mini) Christmas Tree

December 12, 2013 2 Comments

Tips for getting, decorating & maintaining a Norfolk Island Pine Christmas tree, including an easy pom pom garland DIY.

How-to: Giant LED Arrow Sign - Hands Occupied

How-to: Giant LED Arrow Sign

October 31, 2013 10 Comments

DIY a blinking arrow sign that’s over 7 feet long, lightweight and energy efficient.

How-to: Fabric Covered Shelves at Hands Occupied

How-to: Fabric Covered Shelves

October 17, 2013 5 Comments

Transform a tired shelf in minutes with fabric and Mod Podge!

How-to: Geometric Wall Art | Hands Occupied

How-to: Geometric Wall Art

August 14, 2013 2 Comments

DIY some incredible and perfectly precise 3D wall art with just a few supplies you have on had.

How-to: Decorate with Glue Dots | Hands Occupied

How-to: Decorate with Glue Dots

August 12, 2013 Leave a Comment

Tips for decorating your dorm or apartment with easy-to-use, temporary adhesives. Includes a Glue Dots review.

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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 🧶✂️
When you have four big skeins of pretty 2 ply yarn When you have four big skeins of pretty 2 ply yarn, you immediately think sweater, right? 
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My wardrobe could use another handmade sweater - I’m thinking something simple, seamed and with a decent amount of ease for potentially wearing tucked in with jeans or skirts. 🤔 
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Yarn: @universal_yarn Fibra Natura Cobblestone in Antarctica and Dragon’s Breath, wound in thick skeins of 100% superwash wool that’s a light DK weight.
How to to knit throwing (a.k.a. English) style . How to to knit throwing (a.k.a. English) style 
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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! 🧶
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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). 
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Longer-term knitters who’ve made it this far: do you prefer one over the other? And why? 
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#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
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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
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