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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

All of the knitting patterns, tutorials and inspiration from the Blog. There's a lot of it, so if you're looking for something in particular, the search bar at the top left might come in handy.

Simple Basketweave Baby Blanket - Free Knitting Pattern at Hands Occupied

Simple Basketweave Baby Blanket

March 4, 2014 25 Comments

A baby blanket knitting pattern designed for speed and ease. This pattern is ideal for beginners – there aren’t any stitches beyond knit and purl at all! So even if you just learned to knit to make your first project for a new niece or nephew or your own baby on the way, this pattern is 100% doable.

All Cables Cowl Knitting Pattern at Hands Occupied

All Cables Cowl Pattern

February 18, 2014 1 Comment

It thundersnowed in Chicago yesterday, which means winter knitting season isn’t quite over yet. Unlike my faux woven cowl from last month, today’s cowl features a series of small cabled stripes all the way around and is made with less bulky yarn. Also unlike that cowl, it breathes a little more, so it’s great for transitional weather.

Staggered Holes Baby Blanket Knitting Pattern at Hands Occupied

Staggered Holes Baby Blanket Knitting Pattern

February 3, 2014 43 Comments

I have about 15 friends and relatives who have recently had babies or are currently pregnant. It’s SO MANY ladies, you guys! While all of this baby news is super exciting, it can be a bit of a burden when you try to knit blankets for that many babies. The pattern I’m sharing today is one I came up with for two of the blankets I’ve gifted so far. It’s easy and is good even for beginner knitters. The only things you need to know how to do beyond casting on & off and knit & purl is how to knit 2 together and yarn over.

Knitted Faux Woven Cowl - Free Knitting Pattern at Hands Occupied

Faux Woven Cowl – The Warmest in the World!

January 20, 2014 33 Comments

Knit a cowl with a woven effect and you’ll have the warmest DIY accessory ever! Includes a video tutorial to help you master the faux weave.

How to Finger Knit, a.k.a. Crochet Without a Crochet Hook

DIY FYI: Finger Knitting

January 8, 2014 3 Comments

Add to your crafty toolkit by learning to finger knit, a super simple & useful skill!

Lovely Lacey Scarf at Hands Occupied

Lovely Lacey Scarf

December 17, 2013 Leave a Comment

My take on a great, free knitting pattern for a beautiful lace scarf, and a bit about why I became an ambidextrous knitter.

How-to: DIY a Knitting Loom & Knit With It | Hands Occupied

How-to: DIY a Knitting Loom & Knit With It

November 21, 2013 31 Comments

A comprehensive guide to teaching yourself, a friend or a kid to knit practically for free!

How-to: Knit Puffball Clutch

November 26, 2012 Leave a Comment

A handmade gift that knitters or non-knitters can make in a jiff!

A Hard Knit Life

February 21, 2011 Leave a Comment

On reaching a new level of knitting skills, finishing my first pair of socks, and learning to knit left-handed.

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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

Yarn craft designer & author. Into intarsia knits, latch hook, color & vintage-modern style.
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👇🏻 Book, Patterns, Tutorials

Heidi Gustad 🧶✂️
Are you looking for some late summer reading picks Are you looking for some late summer reading picks? Here are 3 fresh titles for makers of all ages - full reviews are on my bl0g, along with a giveaway for a copy of Knitstrips! The 🔗 is where you’d think. 😉
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To Make by Danielle Davis (@writesinla) / Knitstrips by Alice Ormsbee Beltran & Karen Kim Mar (@ik_knitstrips) / This Long Tread by Jen Hewett (@jenhewett) 
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#summerreading #bookshelf #readingrecommendations #handsoccupied #booksformakers #craftbooks
New on the blog today! This former Librarian revie New on the blog today! This former Librarian reviews three making-related books for kids, teens & adults. And there’s a copy of one up for giveaway too! 📚 
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To Make by Danielle Davis (@writesinla) with pictures by Mags DeRoma (@magsderoma) / Knitstrips (@ik_knitstrips) by Alice Ormsbee Beltran & Karen Kim Mar / This Long Thread by Jen Hewett (@jenhewett) 
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I’ll share preview page-through videos for these this week too, but for now the written reviews are at the top of handsoccupied dot com along with my search bar if you can’t find ‘em. All giveaway details are listed in the review post. 🤙🏻 
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(^ I heard a rumor that if I tell you to exit this app, no one will see this post, so plz forgive the song & dance just in case it matters. 🙈)
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#handsoccupied #summerreading #booksformakers #booksforcrafters #books #knittersofinstagram #craftbook #knittingbook
I think about the wrong side of my intarsia knitti I think about the wrong side of my intarsia knitting kind of like some embroiderers do: I get (probably too) excited when the back’s neat and tidy. Are you this way? Is it just me? 
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Pictured is the wrong side of a large primary color intarsia swatch I knit for an upcoming design in @brooklyntweed Arbor. When I pulled it from my studio, I thanked my former self for talking the time to knit, weave in ends, & block a clean swatch already. As critical as they are, I’m excited to not have to make one today. I’ll advocate for swatching all day long, but I won’t pretend it’s like the funnest step in the process! 😆🧶
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#stopswatchandblockit #intarsia #intarsiaknitting #handsoccupied #knitincolor #knitdesign #handknits
Weaving in ends when you’re knitting with black Weaving in ends when you’re knitting with black yarn… 😅 
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There are a few reasons 90% of my work is done in primary colors, & this is one of them! Lucky for me and my tear ducts, this secret monochromatic design project is off the needles. Just blocking, seaming, & then grading the thing before I can ship it off to make my deadline. 🤙🏻
Today’s knitting vocabulary words: deadline isla Today’s knitting vocabulary words: deadline island & intarsia lock. Have you run across these terms before? 
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If there’s interest, I can share more examples of how to wrangle intarsia locks in a future video. With all of the intarsia designs in my queue, examples are sure to present themselves. 😅🧶 
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#intarsia #deadlineisland #handsoccupied #intarsiaknitting #colorworkknitting
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