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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

Knit your gift wrap with this simple, free pattern that comes together in minutes!

Knit Your Gift Wrap & #PHWinterWorkshop

November 22, 2016 2 Comments

If you’re looking to make your gifts just a little more personal this year, why not try knitting up a cozy for them? I think this wrapped wrap idea is perfect for smaller gifts like jewelry, but you can also adapt this pattern to fit a nice bottle of wine, coffee cup, or anything else you can think of.

Knit or crochet some adorable ornaments to trim your tree! Join Hands Occupied this holiday season to make Christmas ornaments with free patterns all season along. Each ornament doubles as a great gift topper & stocking stuffer!

Twelve Ornaments of Christmas, Volume Two!

November 16, 2016 2 Comments

Tuck in with your yarn and a cup of cocoa to to create something sweet this holiday season. We’ll knit and crochet ornaments to trim our trees, top our presents, and stuff our stockings starting November 28.

Knit an adorable cable knit beanie for winter with this free pattern.

Winter Cable Knit Beanie

November 14, 2016 4 Comments

Knit an adorable cable knit beanie for winter with this free pattern that comes in adult and children’s sizes.

A Thankful Giveaway from Hands Occupied - enter to win two skeins of Louet Gems fingering yarn, a free knitting pattern, and a copy of The Knitter's Journal.

A Thankful Giveaway & Pattern Sale!

November 10, 2016 22 Comments

Enter to win two skeins of Louet Gems fingering yarn, a free knitting pattern, and a copy of The Knitter’s Journal. Plus, learn how to get 20% off in the Hands Occupied pattern store.

Looking for something to crochet? Get your hooks into one of these new, to-die-for crochet patterns!

Things to Crochet

November 9, 2016 1 Comment

There’s something so whimsical about crochet! It’s so so perfect for creating structural objects like toys, hats and hooded garments, even for beginners. Crochet is just fun to do, and a great way to change up your crafting routine. Why not try one of these great new patterns this fall?

The Smell of Other People's Houses author Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock, photo credit: Kristen Boyer

Read Along Knit Along Live Author Chat!

October 31, 2016 Leave a Comment

Exciting news! Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock, author of our Read Along Knit Along book The Smell of Other People’s Houses (TSOOPH), will be live chatting about the book in our Ravelry group this Wednesday, November 2 at 1 p.m. CST!

Learn how to count garter stitch rows with this beginner friendly knitting video tutorial.

How to Count Garter Stitch Rows

October 24, 2016 3 Comments

As a beginning knitter, I always found counting garter stitch rows challenging. Learn how to count garter stitch rows with this beginner friendly knitting video tutorial.

Learn how to work an easy garter stitch tab with this knitting video tutorial. This easy-to-master knitting technique is a staple among shawl knitters. You'll commonly find garter tabs used to cast on shawl patterns.

How to Knit a Garter Tab

October 13, 2016 6 Comments

Learn how to work an easy garter stitch tab with this knitting video tutorial. This easy-to-master knitting technique is a staple among shawl knitters. You’ll commonly find garter tabs used to cast on shawl patterns.

Knit the Other People's Houses Shawl - this first time shawl-friendly free pattern is versatile and can be knit with any yarn.

Other People’s Houses Shawl pattern / RALKAL Kickoff!!

October 10, 2016 6 Comments

Get the free Other People’s Houses Shawl pattern and pick up a copy of The Other People’s Houses by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock. We’ll be knitting this shawl and reading the book between October 10 and 31. Join us on Ravelry for a discussion of the book! Join the discussion, read the book or knit the shawl for your chance to win prizes!

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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, designer & creator specializing in yarn crafts like knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé
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Heidi Gustad 🧶✂️
Nobody panic. This is just the back of an (admitte Nobody panic. This is just the back of an (admittedly insane) intarsia project. One day, this will be a seamed sweater, but today is not that day. 🧶 
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Have a good weekend, everyone! 
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Yarn: @universal_yarn’s Fibra Natura Cobblestone in Antarctica & Dragon’s Breath 
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#handsoccupied #intarsia #intarsiaknitting #wip #knitting
Here’s how to work a Norwegian purl stitch for e Here’s how to work a Norwegian purl stitch for easier continental style knitting. With this purling method, the working yarn says tensioned (held) at the back of your knitting at all times. For many knitters, always holding the yarn at the back helps with tension issues, as well as feeling a little more comfortable. 
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Have you ever encountered this style of purling before? If you’ve tried it, have you found it helps with your purl tension and knitting speed? I’m curious.
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For a written tutorial, visit handsoccupied-dot-com. For video, you guessed it, You2be. Both of these platforms allow for longer, more in-depth versions of this tutorial, including full transcripts, alt text & the ability to pause, slow down or speed up at will. (Like if you really want to learn this, I recommend using a platform that doesn’t keep your hands occupied. Thinking of putting this in all my captions these days tbh - shout out to you if you made it this far. 🙌🏻😂)
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#handsoccupied #learntoknit #continentalknitting #howtoknit #norwegianpurl #norwegianknitting #knit #knitting #knitter #knittersofinstagram #knittinghack  #handknitting #handknit #norwegianpurling
Have you ever tried this style of purl? . All thi Have you ever tried this style of purl? 
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All this recent talk about throwing vs. continental style knitting made it clear many people struggle with purling in continental knitting. Turns out that Norway may have the answer! In Norwegian purling, the working yarn stays tensioned at the back at all times, helping with speed and tension. 🤯
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Head to the bl0g (🔗 in bi0) for a more in-depth look at how to work a Norwegian purl stitch, including a photo tutorial with animated GIF & a video tutorial. Wrapping your mind around how to work a stitch you’re familiar with in a totally new way can be confusing, so I tried to give a few options for clarity. 🤙🏻 Video is also on You2be. 
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#handsoccupied #norwegianpurl #norwegianknitting #norwegianpurling #continentalknitting #howtoknit #learntoknit #knitterofinstagram #knitters
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
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