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Hands Occupied

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

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Knitting & Crochet

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!

Get your hands on the Rhombuster Scarf pattern, a colorful new design from Heidi Gustad. Don't think scarf patterns can surprise you? Give the Rhombuster a shot to try something new!

The Rhombuster Scarf is now available!

February 1, 2017 3 Comments

Get your hands on the Rhombuster Scarf pattern, a colorful new design from Heidi Gustad. Don’t think scarf patterns can surprise you? Give the Rhombuster a shot to try something new!

There's more than one way to knit a bind off! Check out this elegant alternative, the collar bind off, in an easy to follow video tutorial featuring knit designer Heidi Gustad.

How to Work a Collar Bind Off

January 16, 2017 1 Comment

There’s more than one way to bind off a knitting project. For some this may come as a shock. :) I mean, I use the same classic bind off a good 85% of the time, but sometimes projects need a little extra something to help the finishing look just right. Enter, the collar bind off.

Knit a quick hat to help raise awareness for an important cause - click through the TWO free patterns, one designed for beginners and one for more seasoned knitters.

The What’s New Hat

January 9, 2017 5 Comments

Knit a quick hat to help support an important cause – check out this post for the TWO free patterns, one designed for beginners and one for more seasoned knitters.

Learn how to increase and decrease stitches in brioche knitting with this easy video tutorial featuring Heidi Gustad from the Hands Occupied blog.

How to Increase and Decrease in Brioche Knitting

January 4, 2017 3 Comments

Earlier this week, we learned how to knit two color brioche rib flat, so now it’s time to tackle brioche increasing and decreasing. There are not one, but TWO easy video tutorials to follow in this post!

Demystify flat two color brioche rib knitting with this easy to follow video tutorial featuring Heidi Gustad from the blog Hands Occupied.

How to Knit 2 Color Brioche Rib Flat

January 2, 2017 1 Comment

Learn how to knit two color brioche rib flat to add vertical colorwork to your knitting.

The top posts from Hands Occupied for 2016. Find out what posts made this year's top ten list as we look back at a doozie of a year.

Picks of the Year!

December 30, 2016 1 Comment

Find out what posts made this year’s top ten list as we look back at a doozie of a year.

Join the Exquisite Mystery Knit Along starting January 1. Designed collaboratively by three designers: Heidi Gustad, Christopher Salas & Sarah Abram, this knit along is not to be missed!

Announcing the Exquisite Mystery Knit Along!

December 27, 2016 3 Comments

Cast on with us January 1 for a super special knit along. This post is filled with all I can tell you for now, but soon, all will be revealed!

Knit or crochet some adorable ornaments to trim your tree! Get your hands on 12 free knit and crochet patterns for Christmas ornaments. Each ornament doubles as a great gift topper & stocking stuffer!

Wrapping Up the 12 Ornaments of Christmas

December 21, 2016 Leave a Comment

It’s a wrap, folks! This year was our second time around knitting and crocheting our way through the holidays, making ornament-sized takes on everything from sweaters to Christmas cookies. Take a look at this year’s collection of ornaments and find links to each pattern in this post.

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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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