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Hands Occupied

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

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Weekly Picks

Knitting & Crochet Picks of the Week at handsoccupied.com

Weekly Reader

June 6, 2014 Leave a Comment

I love this new tradition I’ve started of making my weekly roundups about sharing favorite knit, crochet & yarn finds from the week (and maybe a week or two before if it’s something I just came across on Pinterest). My favorite part is spending too much time lingering over the pictures and enjoying the overwhelming sense of relaxation I feel imaging getting to work on them. There’s also something kind of just dreamy for me about looking at cotton projects in early summer.

Top Knitting And Crochet Inspiration at handsoccupied.com

Weekly Reader

May 30, 2014 Leave a Comment

I’ve been experimenting with a new format for my Weekly Reader recently, and I think I’ve finally got it! Every Friday, I round up my favorite yarny finds, and then when I do other inspiration posts, I pick a different theme. The next big hurdle for me as a blogger, which has been a hurdle of mine for awhile now, will be actually opening up and sharing more of my personality. For now, I’m still most comfortable with being a teensy bit opaque and continuing my grand tradition of simply sharing my overwhelming enthusiasm for DIY and knitting. For now. :)

10 DIY Pillows to Perk Up Your Home | www.handsoccupied.com

Weekly Reader + Pillows to Perk Up Your Place!

May 16, 2014 1 Comment

I think pillows might be what DIY was invented for – they’re just so expensive at the store! Not only that, they can be homemade in a variety of ways by any level of DIYer. For real, if you only ever do one DIY, it should be a throw pillow or cushion or two to really make your place yours. Check out 10 of my recent favorite pillowy projects from the crafty blog world.

8 Great Knitting & Crochet DIY Ideas | www.handsoccupied.com

Weekly Reader

May 9, 2014 Leave a Comment

It’s been a full year of the Weekly Reader format we’ve come to know and love, so I’m thinking it’s time for a change. Instead of sharing random faves of the week every Friday, I think I’ll start sharing themed roundups that feature amazing projects from a little more than the past week. But! I’ll still share items that are fresh, focusing on the most recent month or two. Pinky swear!

Weekly Reader 05.02.14 | Hands Occupied

Weekly Reader

May 2, 2014 1 Comment

This week, blogs have been full of awesome Mother’s Day, May Day, floral and Cinco de Mayo ideas, which has been fun to see. Even though I’m not wild about the fact that it’s already May (I really don’t understand how 2014 is nearly half gone!), I’m really enjoying all of the great ideas people have been sharing online.

Weekly Reader 04.25.14 | Hands Occupied

Weekly Reader

April 25, 2014 3 Comments

Easter may be behind us now, but there are still so many ways to get inspired to DIY this spring. Cinco de Mayo is coming up fast, and there’s always room in any season to DIY some awesome jewelry! Other than getting inspired by the crafty internet to DIY, you can always jump in on the Knit Along I’ve got going on Hands Occupied, or you can throw your hat in on the ring to win a copy of Washi Wonderful for more great craft ideas. Read on for my favorite inspiration of the week.

Weekly Reader 04.18.14 | Hands Occupied

Weekly Reader

April 18, 2014 Leave a Comment

Easter weekend is finally upon us! And once again, the craft blog world did NOT disappoint. The decoupage bunny eggs and doodle eggs above are particular faves of mine from this whole Easter season. I wonder what will inspire the world’s DIYers next month? Mother’s Day? Spring gardening? I can’t wait to see what everyone posts next week!

Weekly Reader 04.11.14 | Hands Occupied

Weekly Reader

April 11, 2014 1 Comment

I can’t believe it’s Friday and I’m just now remembering to tell you guys about the wonder that was YarnCon. It’s a two day yarn/knitting/crochet/fiber/etc. show in Chicago. Last weekend was my first time attending, and I got to take workshops on new casting on techniques and entrelac with knitting designer Theresa Schabes, and I definitely bought some beautiful sock yarn from Icemelon’s Stash. I had a nerdy blast and can’t wait to practice my new skills!

Weekly Reader 04.04.14 | Hands Occupied

Weekly Reader

April 4, 2014 Leave a Comment

Yesterday’s post was super long, so I’ll keep it short today! Easter crafting season continues to aww and inspire. That is all.

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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), and I’ve been helping yarn crafters untangle various techniques on the internet since 2010. I got my start here, as a blogger, and since then I’ve shared more than a few tutorials here and on YouTube as I’ve grown as a pattern designer. 🧶 

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Latch Hook by Heidi Gustad

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handsoccupied

Knitting & yarn crafts designer 🧶
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Stay up-to-date 💌 & shop new patterns ⤵️

Surprise, I had a baby 3 weeks ago! The pregnancy Surprise, I had a baby 3 weeks ago! The pregnancy was high risk, so I chose to be quiet about it online until recently.

My son was born on Saturday 8/30. My water broke at 2 am, and he was born at 11:26 am, which the nurses kept telling us was very fast for a first labor. He weighed 5 lbs 14.2 oz and was 18.5” long. 

My husband & I both put so much effort into educating ourselves about pregnancy and natural childbirth, and when we found out an induction was highly likely, we embraced the lack of control we had in favor of hoping the baby would arrive healthy. To our surprise, he arrived spontaneously at 37 weeks + 4 days, and the labor progressed so quickly, we did end up with a natural labor experience (which I was glad I was prepared for! 😮‍💨😅).

We’re all happy and healthy. June has become his little nanny dog and makes sure we know when he’s crying or has a dirty diaper. We are very grateful for all the love and support we’ve already received from friends and family. Much love to everyone! ❤️❤️❤️
POV: Showing you how my new Bevelled Tank pattern POV: Showing you how my new Bevelled Tank pattern fits with no ease vs. 4” of positive ease. There’s a bit more length to the cotton (brighter color) sample, but both are cropped and feature shoulder seams designed to sit an inch back onto the shoulder instead of on top, giving it a little swing. Length is easily adjustable for folks looking for less of a crop. 
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Pattern: Bevelled Tank by @handsoccupied for @pompommag x @hobbii_yarn summer 2024. Available for free from Hobbii at the 🔗 in my profile.
Yarn pictured: @kelbournewoolens Skipper and Camper. 
Dress form is adjusted to a 36” chest and ~5’3”ish in height. 
Human has a 40” chest and is 5’5”.
Both skirts are vintage.
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #handsoccupied #intarsia #handmade #knitting #colorwork
Let’s talk about fit and ease! . During the Beve Let’s talk about fit and ease!
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During the Bevelled Tank design process for @pompommag, I knit 2 samples using 2 different @KelbourneWoolens yarns. One was in Skipper (100% cotton, second photo) and the other was in Camper (100% 2 ply wool). The Skipper sample was knit for a 36” bust, which measures in at 40” with 4” of positive ease. And I knit the Camper Sample for my 40” bust with a 44” finished measurement. (BTW, I’m 5’5” for folks that find that measurement helpful in visualizing fit.)
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Based on the size chart for the Bevelled Tank, that means I knit one size 3 sample and one size 4. As designed, I conveniently fit a size 4 as intended with 4” of positive ease. When I wear the 3, there is no ease at all because the garment and my body are both 40” in size. Comparing the 2 garments, you can see how the fiber content (cotton vs. wool) and fit (no ease vs. 4” of positive ease) makes a difference in the look and feel of the finished garment. 
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These samples are a great way to compare what ease looks like on different bodies. While I can fit both a size 3 and 4, the garment with no ease feels more like pajamas or a bralette when I wear it. On the other hand, when I wear the one with 4” of positive ease, I feel comfortable enough to wear it to work, even as a crop top. Plus, it leaves me with enough room to layer it with a nice button down if I’m not feeling the cropped look one day. 
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I’m curious - how would you style this tank? Would you modify it with a few stockinette rows for added length? I’m so curious now that this pattern is finally out in the world. :) 
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #bevelledtank #handsoccupied #knitting #intarisa #handmade #kelbournewoolens #croppedsweater #summerknits
After a 6 month hiatus, I am happy to say I’m ba After a 6 month hiatus, I am happy to say I’m back with a brand new pattern in 9 sizes, and it’s FREE as part of @pompommag x @hobbii_yarn’s summer design collection! (Link is in my bio.)
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In my December newsletter, I announced that I was soliciting test knitters for a pattern that had originally been selected for the summer ’24 issue of Pom Pom Quarterly magazine. However, the magazine ceased publication after its spring ’24 issue, leaving in-progress designs unpublished. (It happens.) As a result, I’d begun the long process of editing, testing, and photographing the pattern for independent release through the Hands Occupied pattern shop and Ravelry.
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Before I was done with that process, Pom Pom Quarterly’s former editors reached out with an exciting proposal for the pattern. Post-magazine, they’ve begun to partner with yarn companies to produce high quality pattern collections. They wanted to include designs from the would-be current issue of Pom Pom Quarterly in a new collection for Hobbii yarn, including my Bevelled Tank. I worked with the same technical editors I would have for the magazine on this one, and as you can see from the photos, Pom Pom’s team did an amazing job of styling the garment to the beautiful standards they’re known for.
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You can learn more about the pattern on my blog and get the free pattern from Hobbii yarn - links to both in my profile. I’ll post sizing info in the comments for quick reference too. 🧶
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #knitting #intarsia #sponsored #colorworkknitting 
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Photos: @dianascarrunz 
Model: @angel.jade_
Here’s a nice throwback for you: my take on a vi Here’s a nice throwback for you: my take on a vintage knitting pattern from 1938 called the Fernlace Pullover. A pattern so nice, I knit it twice.
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Yellow version 💛: knit with Despondent Dyes’ Vintage Vixen Sport after attending a @squidneyknits vintage knitting retreat in 2019 & learning *so much*. Paired with a self-drafted circle skirt pattern. 
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Blue version 💙: knit with @eweeweyarns Ewe So Sporty in Sky Blue. Paired with the 1940s Boardwalk Duet sewing pattern from @decades_of_style 
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Head to my stories for 🔗🔗 to the handmade wardrobe blog posts I wrote about each take on the Fernlace Pullover, working with a vintage pattern, where to find vintage patterns (including the one I used), & some thoughts on sizing. 
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Image descriptions available in alt text. 
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#handsoccupied #handmadewardrobe #fernlacepullover #vintageknitting #vintageknittingpatterns #knitting_inspiration
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