• 0 items$0.00
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Hands Occupied

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

  • BLOG
    • Knitting
    • Crochet
    • Latch Hook
    • Macramé
    • Punch Needle
  • ABOUT
  • Shop
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • TikTok
    • YouTube

Knitting & Crochet

Crochet yourself this versatile Peruvian Market Tote, perfect for quick trips to the store! Get the free crochet pattern.

Peruvian Market Tote

October 3, 2016 Leave a Comment

The Peruvian Market Tote is made with a free crochet pattern designed to address the design flaws of amany crochet bags This teardrop-shaped tote is colorful and strong, made with a classic, durable, easy-to-care-for yarn.

Read and knit along with Heidi from Hands Occupied!

It’s the Read Along Knit Along!

September 28, 2016 17 Comments

Read and knit along with us! The Read Along Knit Along starts October 10. We’ll be reading The Smell of Other People’s Houses by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock and knitting the free Other People’s Houses Shawl pattern.

Looking for something to knit? Here are ten of the best knitting patterns from independent designers, fall 2016.

Things to Knit

September 21, 2016 2 Comments

It’s fall so things are getting SERIOUS in the knitting world. There are gorgeous new patterns being released practically every day from independent designers. How to choose what to cast on from among all of theses stunners?

Peas & Carrots Baby Blanket

September 12, 2016 31 Comments

A showstopper during baby shower gift opening, a hand knit or crochet baby blanket makes one of the best gifts. This perfectly squishy baby blanket is a relaxing and beginner friendly knit!

Knit this super cozy scarf throughout the fall to keep you warm this winter! | Plaid Super Scarf by Heidi Gustad for AllFreeKnitting

Plaid Super Scarf

September 7, 2016 4 Comments

My newest pattern was released this week. Measuring in at one foot by 12 feet, the Plaid Super Scarf lives up to its name!

Knit a Harry Potter inspired lightning bolt toy in no time! This free pattern makes a great baby gift, gift topper, key chain or holiday ornament.

Knit Lightning Bolt Toy

July 28, 2016 1 Comment

This wee lightning bolt makes a great baby toy, gift topper, key chain or holiday ornament. Knit in two pieces which are then stuffed and seamed together, it comes together in no time.

Get your hands on the free pattern to knit this versatile foldover clutch out of fabric yarn!

Herringbone Foldover Clutch

July 5, 2016 9 Comments

Fabric yarn doesn’t always make the best clothing due to its heaviness and potential for stretching, so for me, home and fashion accessories are where it’s at when it comes to working with this unusual yarn! This new pattern is a foldover clutch that is perfectly suited to fabric yarn.

Knitting diagonally - learn how to knit on the bias

Tips for Bias Knitting

June 21, 2016 15 Comments

Some of my best tips for bias knitting, plus learn how to make the most of knitting on the diagonal.

Get to know Yarnthology, a company that does things differently by carefully selecting yarn brands based on how they treat people, animals, and the environment.

Meet Yarnthology & Win Some Yarn!

May 11, 2016 7 Comments

Get to know Yarnthology, a company that does things differently by carefully selecting yarn brands based on how they treat people, animals, and the environment. Enter to win a giveaway to try Yarnthology for yourself!

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to page 3
  • Go to page 4
  • Go to page 5
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Go to page 20
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

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.

EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Never miss a tutorial with these short & sweet monthly updates.

Find Me on Social Media

  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • TikTok
  • YouTube
Latch Hook by Heidi GustadDiscover Unique Items

Footer

INSTAGRAM

handsoccupied

Craft book author, designer & creator specializing in yarn crafts like knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé
❤️ Email preferred

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. 🧶 
.
Have a good weekend, everyone! 
.
Yarn: @universal_yarn’s Fibra Natura Cobblestone in Antarctica & Dragon’s Breath 
.
#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. 
.
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.
.
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. 🙌🏻😂)
.
#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? 
.
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. 🤯
. 
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. 
.
#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. ☺️
. 
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. 
.
#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. 👍🏻) 
.
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!
.
#handsoccupied #learntoknit #knittingstyles #howtoknit #knittersofinstagram #knitter
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2023 / Foodie Pro Theme On Genesis Framework / Branding by Ink + Mortar
All Site & Shop Policies / Privacy Policy / Cookie Policy