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Hands Occupied

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

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Currently Knitting

October 26, 2015 1 Comment

Yarns from Ewe Ewe, Manos del Uruguary, Lion Brand & Mountain Meadow Wool

Knitting season is in full swing, and I’ve been busy developing and working on a lot of designs for winter and spring releases this month. Based on where I’m at with sketching, collaborating, swatching, designing and finally knitting these new creations, you guys can brace yourself for lots of winter accessories, and even a fun baby project headed your way! Let’s take a look at what I’ve had my hands on this month, shall we?

Manos del Uruguay's Clara yarn in Follage

Manos del Uruguay’s Clara yarn in Follage

I spotted this new Follage (that’s right, not foliage, follage) colorway on the Manos del Uruguay site a few months back and was totally smitten. When I got this yarn in the mail, the color was true to how it photographed, plus the single-ply, 100% merino yarn is so buoyant and lush. It’s one of those rare yarns that my husband spotted in my studio, picked up, and immediately said, “You know, this would make a really nice hat for like a guy. Like for me.” Ha! I hadn’t yet decided what his Christmas present was going to be, so I think he made the choice for me! Basically, this yarn is awesome, and expect a one-skein hat designed with dudes in mind in the coming months. :)

Swatches knit with Mountain Meadow Wool's Powell yarn in Fern and Natural

Mountain Meadow Wool's Powell yarn in Fern and Natural

Mountain Meadow Wool’s Powell yarn in Fern and Natural

I’m also knitting with a couple of skeins of Mountain Meadow Wool’s Powell, and as you can see from my swatches up there, I’ve got some fun slipped-stitch colorwork planned for it. This yarn is labeled differently than a lot of yarns out there. The ranch of origin is listed right alongside the yarn’s fiber content, which is super cool! Most of the time, you don’t have the slightest clue where the fiber you’re working with comes from, but since Mountain Meadow is first and foremost a mill, it makes sense that their yarn prioritizes letting the maker know where their yarn comes from.

Lion Brand Yarn's LB Collection Cotton Bamboo yarn in Cherry Blossom

Lion Brand Yarn’s LB Collection Cotton Bamboo yarn in Cherry Blossom

Next up, I’ve got this fun cotton/bamboo blend yarn from Lion Brand’s LB Collection. The LB Collection is a line of affordable yarns made with higher quality fibers, so they occupy the space between more expensive boutique yarns and big box store yarns. Like a lot of cotton bamboo blends, LB Collection’s Cotton Bamboo yarn is smooth to the touch and has great stitch definition. Perfect, ahem, for some adorable baby knits!

Ewe Ewe Yarn's Ewe So Sporty yarn in Orange Peel & Sky Blue

Ewe Ewe Yarn’s Ewe So Sporty yarn in Orange Peel & Sky Blue

Last but not least, I’ve been spending a lot of time with Ewe Ewe Yarns this month, specifically their Ewe So Sporty yarn. This yarn is springy, and I’ve found it to be very colorwork-friendly, sticking to itself just enough to make stranded projects go smoothly. I’m working on TWO designs with this yarn which are set to be released together in January. I’m so excited, I can’t wait to share these designs with you!

Yarn featured was provided by the brand or a distributor thereof. Much of the yarn was given as yarn support for designs to be released in the coming months. Opinions are my own. 

Filed Under: Knitting, Knitting & Crochet Tagged With: currently knitting, ewe ewe yarns, lion brand yarn, manos del uruguay, mountain meadow wool, what i'm knitting with

About Heidi

Heidi Gustad is a craft book author, designer & creator specializing in yarn crafts like knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé. Her first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is out now.

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Comments

  1. Ina

    November 3, 2015 at 10:07 pm

    The manos de urguay yarn looks so wonderful! I don’t know why but I don’t feel attracted at all by cotton this time of year! Your bamboo cotton swatch looks really smooth though!

    Reply

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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 🧶✂️
Nobody panic. This is just the back of an (admitte Nobody panic. This is just the back of an (admittedly insane) intarsia project. One day, this will be a seamed sweater, but today is not that day. 🧶 
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Have a good weekend, everyone! 
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Yarn: @universal_yarn’s Fibra Natura Cobblestone in Antarctica & Dragon’s Breath 
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#handsoccupied #intarsia #intarsiaknitting #wip #knitting
Here’s how to work a Norwegian purl stitch for e Here’s how to work a Norwegian purl stitch for easier continental style knitting. With this purling method, the working yarn says tensioned (held) at the back of your knitting at all times. For many knitters, always holding the yarn at the back helps with tension issues, as well as feeling a little more comfortable. 
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Have you ever encountered this style of purling before? If you’ve tried it, have you found it helps with your purl tension and knitting speed? I’m curious.
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For a written tutorial, visit handsoccupied-dot-com. For video, you guessed it, You2be. Both of these platforms allow for longer, more in-depth versions of this tutorial, including full transcripts, alt text & the ability to pause, slow down or speed up at will. (Like if you really want to learn this, I recommend using a platform that doesn’t keep your hands occupied. Thinking of putting this in all my captions these days tbh - shout out to you if you made it this far. 🙌🏻😂)
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#handsoccupied #learntoknit #continentalknitting #howtoknit #norwegianpurl #norwegianknitting #knit #knitting #knitter #knittersofinstagram #knittinghack  #handknitting #handknit #norwegianpurling
Have you ever tried this style of purl? . All thi Have you ever tried this style of purl? 
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All this recent talk about throwing vs. continental style knitting made it clear many people struggle with purling in continental knitting. Turns out that Norway may have the answer! In Norwegian purling, the working yarn stays tensioned at the back at all times, helping with speed and tension. 🤯
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Head to the bl0g (🔗 in bi0) for a more in-depth look at how to work a Norwegian purl stitch, including a photo tutorial with animated GIF & a video tutorial. Wrapping your mind around how to work a stitch you’re familiar with in a totally new way can be confusing, so I tried to give a few options for clarity. 🤙🏻 Video is also on You2be. 
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#handsoccupied #norwegianpurl #norwegianknitting #norwegianpurling #continentalknitting #howtoknit #learntoknit #knitterofinstagram #knitters
It’s been a hot second since I showed my face or It’s been a hot second since I showed my face or reintroduced myself, so here goes! I’m Heidi Gustad, a craft book author, pattern designer, and tutorial creator who specializes in yarn crafts. Lately, I’ve been focused on releasing quality knitting videos and related blog posts to help teach things like the difference between provisional cast ons and how to fix common knitting mistakes. Next week I’m shooting requested crochet and latch hook videos, so h👀kers, your time is coming! And if you ever have tutorial requests, please let me know. ☺️
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TLDR: I’m Heidi. I design & teach yarn crafts. You can find tutorials on my blog (est. 2010) & You2be. I also have several knitting & crochet patterns + a book about latch hook available. / All of these can be found on my website, the 🔗 is where you’d think. 
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#handsoccupied #fridayintroduction #heidigustad #knitting #knitter #knittersofinstagram #yarncrafts #latchhookbook
Are you a picker or a thrower? Do you knit Contine Are you a picker or a thrower? Do you knit Continental or English Style? Here’s a quick overview of the differences between the two most common knitting styles, including a side by side comparison. (A good one to save for future reference. 👍🏻) 
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There’s more on the differences between picking and throwing in my latest blog post & You 2ube video - the l1nk is where you’d think!
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#handsoccupied #learntoknit #knittingstyles #howtoknit #knittersofinstagram #knitter
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