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Hands Occupied

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

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Latch Hook

All of the latch hook patterns, tutorials and inspiration from the Blog. If you're looking for something in particular, the search bar at the top left might come in handy.

Four skeins of primary colored yarn in color as well as black and white, used to help explain the concept of color value.

Color Value for Makers

February 5, 2021 Leave a Comment

Let’s talk a bit about color theory for makers, beginning with the concept of color value. This is a great place to start if you’re having trouble selecting yarn colors for projects.

Learn about 5 common yarn ball types, what they're called, and how to work with them!

5 Types of Yarn Ball & How to Work with Them

January 31, 2021 Leave a Comment

Learn about 5 common yarn ball types, what they’re called, and how to work with them!

Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker by Heidi Gustad, now available!

My book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is now available!

October 20, 2020 Leave a Comment

Stop (or start?) the presses! My first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is now available. Learn where to get your hands on a copy to infuse your yarn crafting with a bit of JOY!

A copy of Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker (2020) by Heidi Gustad on a red background

Latch Hook Book Unboxing & Project Preview Video!

October 9, 2020 3 Comments

Watch Heidi react to seeing a copy of her first book for the first time. Join her for a flip through the book and a look at the projects you can make with Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker!

Learn how to make this bomb popsicle-inspired latch hook wall hanging with a free pattern and tutorial from Hands Occupied.

Bomb Popsicle Latch Hook Pattern & Tutorial

September 16, 2020 Leave a Comment

Learn how to make this bomb popsicle-inspired latch hook wall hanging with a free pattern and tutorial. Latch hook is making a comeback – are you ready? ;)

Learn how to bind latch hook project edges using whip stitch with this step by step photo tutorial on the Hands Occupied Blog.

Whip Stitch Binding in Latch Hook

August 10, 2020 Leave a Comment

Learn how to bind latch hook project edges using whip stitch with this step by step photo tutorial.

Finishing Nooks and Crannies in Latch Hook Tutorial: The hardest part of finishing non-square latch hook projects is dealing with nooks and crannies. Learn how to successfully finish small, fiddly latch hook edges with this in-depth tutorial featuring my best tips and tricks for finishing challenging latch hook project edges to achieve contemporary handmade rugs.

How to Finish Nooks & Crannies in Latch Hook

July 13, 2020 Leave a Comment

The hardest part about finishing latch hook projects is dealing with small nooks and crannies. What do you do when your edge has no seam allowance? What to do when edges are fraying before your eyes? Learn how to troubleshoot challenging finishing spots in this tutorial.

Non-Square Latch Hook Finishing Tutorial: Not all rug making projects have to be square, but finishing a latch hook project without square corners involves a different technique. Learn how to finish latch hook projects without square corners in this in-depth tutorial that helps you make modern latch hook projects!

Non-Square Latch Hook Finishing Tutorial

July 8, 2020 Leave a Comment

Not all rug making projects have to be square! Learn how to finish latch hook projects with curved and diagonal edges in this in-depth tutorial that helps you make modern latch hook projects.

Square Latch Hook Finishing Tutorial: Learn a simple, work-as-you-go method to save time during the latch hook finishing process.

Square Latch Hook Finishing Tutorial

July 1, 2020 2 Comments

Learn how to do finishing in latch hook projects with square edges. This is a work-as-you-go method that helps you save time during the rug finishing process.

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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 🧶✂️
Since it won’t be clean for long, swipe to see w Since it won’t be clean for long, swipe to see what my home studio looks like these days. Nothing will ever quite be like the old Hands Occupied Studio, but I’m pretty pleased with how I shoehorned everything in this space. Function over form + a layer of yarn cuteness-meets-chaos is how I’d describe my creative space needs. 😆 When I was still renting the studio, those needs included “doesn’t rain suspicious brown water from a crack in the ceiling for a year,” so this is an improvement! 😆
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For a time lapse of the studio organizing and tszuj-ing process, scroll down a couple posts on my feed. (There’s also a video or two featuring the old studio if you’re curious.) Happy June, friends! 
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#handsoccupied #handsoccupiedstudio #knitdesigner #craftdesign #yarncrafts #latchhook #makerlife #heidigustad #chicagocrafter
Who doesn’t love magic loop knitting? Who doesn’t know what it is? How about when circular needles were invented?
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In todays new bl0g post + video tutorial, you’ll learn about the magic loop method for knitting in the round, how to do it and why to use it, and when it came to be. The 🔗 is in my b1o. 🧶 
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#handsoccupied #magicloop #knitting #howtoknit #knittinginspiration #knittingintheround
Finally organizing & putting the finishing touches Finally organizing & putting the finishing touches on my home studio. After losing my studio space last fall, it’s feels really great to *occupy* this new space all the way. 😉
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I started by removing general clutter & returning straggler supplies from various WIPs, videos & design deadlines to their homes. Next, I hung a third peg board in the space - this one is mostly for display and less for organizing tools or projects. For the first time ever, I’m displaying projects from my book, plus a couple other faves. (The best thing about designing more yarn crafts besides knit & crochet is that I have some really fun -and delightfully pettable 😆- samples around.) I finished by adding a square dowel to my small supply storage tower to keep it from tipping over, plus re-arranging and de-cluttering the closet. 
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This cleaner space already has me feeling so much more creative and less overwhelmed. Now to find a safe spot in the basement for the tower of project samples in Rubbermaid tubs I liberated from my WIPs closet. Also why are there five?! 
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Here’s to keeping it clean for a few weeks! 🧶 
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#handsocupied #handsoccupiedstudio #craftroom #craftroomorganization #craftroomstorage #yarncraft #knitter #crocheter #latchhook #latchhookbook
It’s a disaster in here and my video microphone It’s a disaster in here and my video microphone isn’t cooperating, but it could be worse! How’s your day? 
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(If we haven’t yet met, I’m Heidi and I’m a pattern designer and tutorial creator specializing in yarn crafts like knitting & latch hook. You can learn more about my work and regularly find new tutorials in my profile. ☺️👋🏻)
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#handsoccupied #craftstudio #knitter #yarncrafter
How to knit a one-row buttonhole 🧶 . Sweater k How to knit a one-row buttonhole 🧶 
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Sweater knitters, listen up! Learn how to knit a buttonhole over the course of a single row of knitting, a.k.a. a one-row buttonhole. In this technique, a combination of binding off and casting on stitches on opposite sides of the work creates a symmetrical, stretchy buttonhole. 
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The time limit on these is 90 seconds, so this quick tutorial is perfect to save for future reference. (Did you know you can make folders of saved items like tutorials? 👩🏼‍🏫) 
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If you’re brand new to the technique or want to see this demonstration slower and more in-depth, my bl0g and You/2be are the place to be. Thanks for watching & let me know if you have any questions or requests for future tutorials in the comments. ☺️
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#handsoccupied #knitting #onerowbuttonhole #learntoknit #sweaterknitting #knittutorial #knitting_inspiration
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