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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.

Learn how to master the Long Tail Cast On, the most widely used cast on in knitting. This tutorial includes instructions for how to estimate your long tail length, as well as how to begin this cast on *without* a slip knot!

Learn 2 Long Tail Cast Ons

January 17, 2018 Leave a Comment

A close look at two different long tail cast ons, the regular Long Tail Cast On and the German Twisted Cast On.

Learn everything you need to know to master slip knots, the Knitted Cast On, and the Cable Cast On in knitting.

Master the Knitted and Cable Cast Ons

January 11, 2018 2 Comments

It’s a new year, so let’s start things off by taking a close look at different knitting cast ons. In this post, you’ll learn everything you need to know to master slip knots, the Knitted Cast On, and the Cable Cast On in knitting.

Get your hands on the Ruby Stole knitting pattern by Heidi Gustad. Featuring short rows, easy lace and tons of gorgeous texture, the Ruby Stole is a fun, fast single skein knitting pattern. Find it on Ravelry or in the Hands Occupied Pattern Shop.

Ruby Stole Now Available!

January 9, 2018 2 Comments

Get your hands on the Ruby Stole knitting pattern. Featuring short rows, easy lace and tons of gorgeous texture, the Ruby Stole is a fun, fast single skein knitting pattern. Find it on Ravelry or in the Hands Occupied Pattern Shop.

The Lopi Tote makes use of bulky yarn and elegant, screw-in handles to create a deep bag with a wide base that knits up quick. Get your hands on this free pattern, designed with knitters in mind. The Lopi Tote is perfect for carrying your next knitting project on the go!

Lopi Tote – Free Knitting Pattern

December 6, 2017 36 Comments

The Lopi Tote makes use of bulky yarn and elegant, screw-in handles to create a deep bag with a wide base that knits up quick. Get your hands on this free pattern, designed with knitters in mind. The Lopi Tote is perfect for carrying your next knitting project on the go!

Trim your tree with this free candy cane ornament knitting pattern! Knit flat and seamed, you can quickly make this keepsake ornament with yarn scraps and pipe cleaners.

Knit Candy Cane Ornament

December 4, 2017 4 Comments

Trim your tree with this free candy cane ornament knitting pattern! Knit flat and seamed, you can quickly make this keepsake ornament with yarn scraps and pipe cleaners.

Learn about Skeins in the Stacks, a bookish yarn company that makes hand-dyed yarns using natural elements from Alaska.

Skeins in the Stacks Review & Giveaway

November 20, 2017 2 Comments

If you didn’t end up getting lucky enough to win the big giveaway for the Read Along Knit Along, I have some bookish-meets-yarnish good news! I’ve teamed up with indie yarn company Skeins in the Stacks to bring you a second chance to win some awesome yarn.

The Scarf of Dreams by Heidi Gustad - a mystery knit along design inspired by The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Winding Down the Read Along Knit Along

November 13, 2017 1 Comment

The biggest and best Read Along Knit Along yet is winding down this week. Check out some favorite WIP shots and finished projects from RALKAL, and enter to win a great prize pack while there’s still time!

Master ten different cabled knitting stitches with a collection of easy-to-follow video tutorials. Great for everyone from advanced beginner to experienced knitters!

How to Knit Cables 10 Ways

November 9, 2017 Leave a Comment

Cables, crosses, crossed stitches – whatever you call them, crossed stitches are an important part of every knitter’s repertoire. Whether you’re looking to learn how to knit crossed stitches for the first time or you’re here to learn about new combinations of crossing knit and purl stitches in your work (can you say 2/1 LPC?), these tutorials have got you covered.

Learn 4 knitting increases and decreases using easy-to-follow video tutorials. Up your knitting game & level up your lacework with double increases and decreases, including: incto3, sk2p2, k3tog, & p3tog. Central double increases & decreases might sound intimidating, but they're really pretty & useful in lace knitting.

Master 4 Double Increases & Decreases

October 26, 2017 3 Comments

Learn 4 knitting increases and decreases using easy-to-follow video tutorials. Up your knitting game & level up your lacework with double increases and decreases, including: incto3, sk2p2, k3tog, & p3tog. Central double increases & decreases might sound intimidating, but they’re pretty & really useful in lace knitting.

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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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