• 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

Yarn Crafts

On Hands Occupied, yarn crafts are everything that fall outside the scope of knit and crochet. You'll find ideas and tutorials for pom poms, tassels, macrame, weaving, latch hook & more in this section of the site.

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!

The new Hands Occupied YouTube Channel is live! Check out the first videos, subscribe, and help me decide what tutorials to make next.

The New Hands Occupied YouTube Channel is Live!

September 30, 2020 1 Comment

The new Hands Occupied YouTube Channel is live! Check out the first videos, subscribe, and help me decide what tutorials to make next.

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.

What's up, 2020? Check out this brand new blog post about what Heidi has been up to on Hands Occupied hiatus, and plans for the rest of the year to come, including some surprises!

What’s up, 2020? (No seriously, what is going on?)

April 4, 2020 Leave a Comment

What I’ve been up to on my book hiatus besides writing a book), and plans for the rest of the year to come, including some surprises!

Make a giant friendship bracelet-inspired runner for your Friendsgiving table! Knotted with 100% American wool, this easy project doubles as a hostess gift and macramé scarf. Visit handsoccupied.com to learn how to make this easy Thanksgiving craft project.

Giant Friendship Bracelet Table Runner for Friendsgiving

November 27, 2019 1 Comment

Make a giant friendship bracelet-inspired runner for your Friendsgiving table! Knotted with 100% American wool, this easy project doubles as a hostess gift and macramé scarf.

  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to page 3
  • 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 🧶✂️
Weekend knitting design aftermath. Remember kids, Weekend knitting design aftermath. Remember kids, it’s always good to stop, swatch and block it. 🧶
.
#stopswatchandblockit #handsoccupied
Learn how to do the magic loop method for knitting Learn how to do the magic loop method for knitting in the round in 90 seconds. / Using the magic loop allows knitters to work in the round with a single, long circular needle at a range of circumferences. 
.
For a longer, full-width & more detailed overview of magic loop knitting, check out my u2be & b1og, the 🔗🔗 are where you’d think. 🧶
.
#handsoccupied #magicloop #knitting #howtoknit #learntoknit #knitter #knittinginspiration #knittinginstagram #knittingintheround
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! 😆
.
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! 
.
#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?
.
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. 🧶 
.
#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. 😉
.
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. 
.
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?! 
.
Here’s to keeping it clean for a few weeks! 🧶 
.
#handsocupied #handsoccupiedstudio #craftroom #craftroomorganization #craftroomstorage #yarncraft #knitter #crocheter #latchhook #latchhookbook
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