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Hands Occupied

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

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Crocheting with Unusual Materials

May 4, 2011 Leave a Comment

When I started crocheting a few years ago, I found myself growing bored with the type of projects I was capable of creating. My skills weren’t yet developed enough to crochet really complicated patterns, and I felt like the real power of crocheting rested on the ease with which I could create three-dimensional shapes, like amigurumi.

That’s when I decided it was time to get creative. I found some plastic twine that looked like it might make an interesting hanging lamp or sculpture. It’s kind of shiny and futuristic looking, unlike many crocheted items.

Plastic Twine Sculpture

Following a instructions for creating a basic amigurumi sphere, I figured the only way to find out if this sculpture would work was to try it. A ton of crochet stitches and a few increases and decreases later, I had my sphere… and a lot of blisters. Imagine rubbing a shredded plastic bag on your bare flesh for like fifty hours. It’s not pretty.

The other thing I had at the end of crocheting my sphere was kind of a deflated looking volleyball. Shoot! It wasn’t until I pulled my sad creation out of my WIP/failed projects drawer to write today’s post that I decided to fix it. Lucky for me, my first idea worked! It was as simple as blowing up a balloon (inside of a weirdo crocheted trash bag sphere).

Mason Line Hammock

After my blisters healed, I wanted to make an exercise ball hammock using something softer.The fiber of choice? Mason line! It comes in a lot of really interesting colors and weaves. The hard thing was knowing how much to buy. It’s not like the dudes at the hardware store know what to tell you when considering yardage or ounces needed for a project!

Another note about working with this material. I learned the hard way that there are no dye lots in mason line. I’ve got a couple of shades of pink going on in this project.

Have you ever seen those corner hammocks for kids’ stuffed animals? I wanted to recreate that design for my exercise ball hammock. For the pattern I ended up winging it, so I didn’t write it down. How I constructed this thing: I crocheted a right triangle shape and added an extra spine of stitched from the right angle to the center of the hypotenuse. Don’t forget: a^2 + b^2 = c^2 when you’re planning this project! ;) Then I wove some other mason line in to a basic net formation, with two more crocheted spines dividing them.

Some pics to help you pick up what I’m putting down:

…and yes, it totally looks like a thong. I don’t know if I’d, uh, pick neon pink next time.

Other Cool Crocheting Materials

  • Cassette Tape Clutch at My Recycled Bag
  • How to Crochet a Rug Out of an Old T-Shirts at CraftStylish
  • Knit and Crochet with Wire and Beads at Stitch Diva Studios
  • There’s also the Unique Crochet Materials thread at Crochetme.com

Filed Under: Crochet, Inspiration, Knitting & Crochet Tagged With: avant garde, balloon, crochet, hammock, mason line, plastic twine

About Heidi

Heidi Gustad is a craft book author & content creator in love with primary colors & vintage vibes. She specializes in knitting, crochet, latch hook and macramé, and her first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is out now!

Previous Post: « Crochet Week, Day 2: Amigurumi
Next Post: Crochet Inspiration Thursday »

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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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Craft book author & pattern designer ❤️💛💙
knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé
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Please email for pattern support. 🧶

Heidi Gustad 🧶✂️
Working on a sample for some upcoming videos. It’s an overcast day with intermittent sunshine & I have a scruffy little sidecar. 🐶 Can’t complain! 
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What’s on your needles this week? 
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Yarn: @debbieblissknits Cashmerino Aran 
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#handsoccupied #knitting #knittinglife
Peg boards and craft room organization go together Peg boards and craft room organization go together like peanut butter and jelly. So, as you can see, do latch hook tools and screwdriver organizers! 🪛 
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I think this trick translates to any tool with a thick handle, so leather working tools, punch needles, print making tools, etc. should work! What other tools am I, a needlecrafter, blanking on right now? 
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#craftorganization #handsoccupied #latchhook #latchhooking
Pegboard storage is my favorite for craft supplies Pegboard storage is my favorite for craft supplies, so getting a few hung in my new studio has been a priority. Here’s my first attempt. 🔨 
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Details: This pegboard panel is for organizing my knitting needles, latch hook tools, sewing thread, etc. It doesn’t need to hold much weight, so I didn’t anchor this into a stud - just used basic drywall anchors. I’ve also got a set of two 2’x4’ panels for another spot in my studio, and those will need a stud/more than 3 drywall anchors. Wish me luck! 
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[description: video features a woman hanging a panel of pegboard using a square dowel and drill]
It’s time for the annual Hands Occupied new year It’s time for the annual Hands Occupied new year update, and for the first time in years, I feel like I have some clarity about what I’m doing next. ❤️ Head to the blog to read all about it, the 1ink is where you’d think. 
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#handsoccupied #knitting #creativeburnout
June’s face is giving, “What fresh heck is thi June’s face is giving, “What fresh heck is this?” 😆
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June’s big ears can get cold in winter, so I’m improvising a doggie ear warmer/hood for her. What are the odds she tries to shred it immediately when it’s done? 
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#knitting #knittingfordogs #handsoccupied #schneagle #wipwednesday #wip
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