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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

September 14, 2015 4 Comments

Currently Knitting | Hands Occupied

Every month, I share a roundup of 10 things to knit, featuring patterns I’d love to cast on (as soon as I find the time!). I’ve been meaning to put together a second monthly series highlighting yarns I’m working and designing with at the moment, so today we’re jumping in the deep end. Hopefully seeing a little bit of how the sausage knitting pattern is made will inspire you to try new yarns or even take a whack at designing for yourself! This month, I’ve got lots of fingering weight yarn on my needles, and the designs I’m working on are all going to be accessories. Let’s take a look at the yarn I’m working with these days.

Louet Gems Fingering yarn in Grey Sky

Louet Gems Fingering in Grey Sky

The first yarn I’ve been spending a lot of time with is Louet Gems Fingering yarn. Obviously this is a fingering weight yarn. It’s made of  100% merino wool, and it comes in 185 yd. (50 g) skeins. I’ve designed with this yarn before (my Turtle Mitts pattern is done in the same exact yarn), but this time, I’m designing a lace wrap with it!

Shibui Maai

Shibui Maai 

One of the newer yarns from Shibui, Maai is a DK weight chainette yarn that’s a blend of 70% superbaby alpaca and 30% merino wool. For those of you new to chainette yarns, they’re basically a yarn constructed like an i-cord or crochet chain from small fibers that you then knit with. The open structure of the yarn results in a less dense and highly flexible finished piece of knit fabric that is super lightweight. Maai comes in 175 yd skeins, and I’ve just about finished a new cowl pattern using this luxe, fluffy yarn.

Leading Men Fiber Arts' Soliloquy

Leading Men Fiber Arts’ Soliloquy in Poison Apple

Last but not least, I’m working with Leading Men Fiber Arts for the first time, using their Soliloquy yarn. Soliloquy is a fingering weight yarn made with 100% Superwash British Bluefaced Leicester Wool, and it comes in generous 657 yard skeins. I’m in the early design stages for a special, literary-inspired design project. Since it’s so early in the game I don’t want to give too much away, but the design I have in mind is really fun – I’m looking forward to sharing it when it’s done!

Since this is a new series, I’d love to hear what you think. Would you like to see more of this kind of post on Hands Occupied? Leave a comment & let me know!

Filed Under: Knitting, Knitting & Crochet Tagged With: cowl, currently knitting, design, design process, knit design, lace, leading men fiber arts, louet gems, louet gems fingering, maai, shawl, shibui, soliloquy

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. Jane rogers

    September 14, 2015 at 8:06 am

    Hi yes! Love to see new yarns and can’t wait to see what you are up to with them.
    Jane

    Reply
  2. DebbieW

    September 15, 2015 at 9:30 am

    I’m on the edge of my seat waiting for a “literary inspired project!” Seriously, these yarns look absolutely yummy!

    Reply
  3. Valerie

    September 15, 2015 at 3:36 pm

    I’ve never seen the term “superbaby alpaca” before, and now I’m picturing teeny-tiny baby alpacas. Adorable! (and probably super-soft, too!)

    Reply
  4. Joan Trautwein

    September 23, 2015 at 2:43 pm

    Yes, I do enjoy this type of informative post. There are so many new and different types of yarns now available but because I don’t really know enough about them to spend $15 to $20 + on them to sample them, I won’t buy them. Your information on the chainette yarns encourages me to give it a try. I like the idea of lightness and warmth. Also seeing what you’re working on with these different yarns gives me ideas how the finished fabric will look. That’s really important to me. Thanks.

    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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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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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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