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

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Free Patterns from the Blog

Dozens of free knitting and crochet patterns ranging from basic scarves to cabled sweaters, all designed by Heidi Gustad.

24 Randomly Sorted Patterns:

Moon & Star Softies – Free Knitting Pattern

If you're looking for a baby knitting idea that isn't your standard blanket or sweater, this quick-to-make set of stuffed knit toys is just the ticket. Get the free knitting patterns on the Hands Occupied Blog.

Faux Woven Cowl – The Warmest in the World!

Knitted Faux Woven Cowl - Free Knitting Pattern at Hands Occupied

Comfy Tablet Sleeve – Free Knitting Pattern & Seaming Tutorial

Knit up a simple tablet sleeve to protect your tablet from scratches on the go! The Comfy Tablet Sleeve knits up so quickly, making it a great gift-giving idea too. Get the free knitting pattern.

Bevelled Tank in Pom Pom x Hobbii, Summer 2024

Bevelled Tank by Heidi Gustad, Pom Pom x Hobbii pattern collection, summer 2024 | Hands Occupied

Volcano Hat on The Knit Show – Let’s celebrate with a giveaway!

Volcano Hat by Heidi Gustad - get the free, beginner-friendly knitting pattern, as seen on The Knit Show with Vickie Howell!

Long John Cowl Pattern

Free Pattern - The Long John Cowl by Hands Occupied

Knit Candle Ornament

The Knit Candle Ornament can be easily made in under an hour, making it the perfect little finished object to shoe horn in during the busy Christmas season. Get the free pattern to light up your holiday!

Crochet Lump of Coal Ornament

Have a little fun with your handmade gifts this holiday! Crochet an amigurumi coal ornament for your Christmas tree or as a funny stocking stuffer with this free pattern.

Ripple Wrap – Free Crochet Pattern

Get your hands on the free crochet pattern for the Ripple Wrap! The Ripple Wrap is a four-color take on one of the most universally-recognized crochet stitches: the ripple stitch. Seen in afghan patterns in grandmothers' houses everywhere, the ripple stitch creates a fun zig zag pattern that opens up tons of possibilities for color combos.

Herringbone Foldover Clutch

Get your hands on the free pattern to knit this versatile foldover clutch out of fabric yarn!

Heart Appliqué Hat – Free Baby Crochet Pattern

Get a free crochet pattern for a baby hat featuring an adorable heart appliqué, and learn how to you can crochet to help save babies' lives!

Ribbed Can Koozies

Grab your crochet hooks! You can take this quick project from yarn ball to beer koozie before lunchtime on a lazy summer day. Click through for the free pattern.

Moss Stitch Cowl – Free Crochet Pattern

This cute, two-color cowl is crocheted with just two 50g balls of 100% wool yarn. Get the free Moss Stitch Cowl pattern from Hands Occupied.

Sixth Degree Shawl

Meet the Sixth Degree Shawl. Cast on this gorgeous, free pattern designed with American made, ethically-sourced yarn!

Knit Heart Ornament – 12 Ornaments of Christmas

Knit Heart Ornament - Click through for a free knitting pattern for this cute star ornament, which also makes a great tree star, gift topper or baby toy!

Peruvian Market Tote

Crochet yourself this versatile Peruvian Market Tote, perfect for quick trips to the store! Get the free crochet pattern.

Knit Gift Box Ornament – 12 Ornaments of Christmas

A cute pattern for a knit gift box ornament for the holidays! Click through for the free pattern.

Round Granny Cushion – Free Crochet Pattern

Made with chunky yarn, this vintage inspired throw pillow crochets up in no time!

Knit Stocking Ornament

A tiny knit stocking is the most adorable way to trim your tree! Get the free knitting pattern for this striped stocking. #christmasornament #stockingornament #freeknittingpattern

Over the Rainbow Softie – Free Crochet Pattern

Checked Snood – free knitting pattern

Knit yourself a quick cowl that doubles as a hood - a snood! The Checked Snood is a colorful, geometric knitting pattern that uses 3 colors of Berroco Brielle to create a stunning, versatile accessory you'll wear from fall to spring. Bonus: it's a free pattern!

Knit Winter Gear Ornaments Three Ways

How to knit winter gear inspired Christmas ornaments three ways! Get the free patterns at Hands Occupied! #knitornaments #freepattern #minisweater #chirstmasornament

Grab ‘n Go Purse – free crochet pattern!

Try your hand at the easy-to-make Grab 'n Go Purse, a free crochet pattern that makes the most of fabric yarn!

Crochet T-shirt Yarn Tote

Crochet T-shirt Yarn Tote Pattern at HandsOccupied.com

Even more free patterns →

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Hi! I’m Heidi (she/her/hers), and I’ve been helping yarn crafters untangle various techniques on the internet since 2010. I got my start here, as a blogger, and since then I’ve shared more than a few tutorials here and on YouTube as I’ve grown as a pattern designer. 🧶

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Knitting & yarn crafts designer 🧶
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Stay up-to-date 💌 & shop new patterns ⤵️

POV: Showing you how my new Bevelled Tank pattern

Let’s talk about fit and ease! . During the Beve

Let’s talk about fit and ease!
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During the Bevelled Tank design process for @pompommag, I knit 2 samples using 2 different @KelbourneWoolens yarns. One was in Skipper (100% cotton, second photo) and the other was in Camper (100% 2 ply wool). The Skipper sample was knit for a 36” bust, which measures in at 40” with 4” of positive ease. And I knit the Camper Sample for my 40” bust with a 44” finished measurement. (BTW, I’m 5’5” for folks that find that measurement helpful in visualizing fit.)
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Based on the size chart for the Bevelled Tank, that means I knit one size 3 sample and one size 4. As designed, I conveniently fit a size 4 as intended with 4” of positive ease. When I wear the 3, there is no ease at all because the garment and my body are both 40” in size. Comparing the 2 garments, you can see how the fiber content (cotton vs. wool) and fit (no ease vs. 4” of positive ease) makes a difference in the look and feel of the finished garment.
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These samples are a great way to compare what ease looks like on different bodies. While I can fit both a size 3 and 4, the garment with no ease feels more like pajamas or a bralette when I wear it. On the other hand, when I wear the one with 4” of positive ease, I feel comfortable enough to wear it to work, even as a crop top. Plus, it leaves me with enough room to layer it with a nice button down if I’m not feeling the cropped look one day.
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I’m curious - how would you style this tank? Would you modify it with a few stockinette rows for added length? I’m so curious now that this pattern is finally out in the world. :)
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #bevelledtank #handsoccupied #knitting #intarisa #handmade #kelbournewoolens #croppedsweater #summerknits

After a 6 month hiatus, I am happy to say I’m ba

Here’s a nice throwback for you: my take on a vi

Here’s a nice throwback for you: my take on a vintage knitting pattern from 1938 called the Fernlace Pullover. A pattern so nice, I knit it twice.
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Yellow version 💛: knit with Despondent Dyes’ Vintage Vixen Sport after attending a @squidneyknits vintage knitting retreat in 2019 & learning *so much*. Paired with a self-drafted circle skirt pattern.
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Blue version 💙: knit with @eweeweyarns Ewe So Sporty in Sky Blue. Paired with the 1940s Boardwalk Duet sewing pattern from @decades_of_style
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Head to my stories for 🔗🔗 to the handmade wardrobe blog posts I wrote about each take on the Fernlace Pullover, working with a vintage pattern, where to find vintage patterns (including the one I used), & some thoughts on sizing.
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Image descriptions available in alt text.
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#handsoccupied #handmadewardrobe #fernlacepullover #vintageknitting #vintageknittingpatterns #knitting_inspiration

Frogging is a word in the knitting world that mean

Frogging is a word in the knitting world that means to rip out your knitting. It’s called frogging because frogs say “ribbit,” and when you’re tearing out your knitting, you will “rip it” out, and that sounds like ribbit. No really. 🐸 Did you know this fun fact?
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P.S. I did like this design concept, but to make the pattern more knitter friendly as well as more wearable, I am making some tweaks to the construction. Excited to share when it’s ready! 🥰🧶
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Yarn: @blueskyfibers Woolstok North in Morning Frost & Highland Fleece
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#handsoccupied #knitting #frogging #blueskyfibers #knittersofinstagram #blueskymakers #knittingvocabulary #bsfmakers #knitdesign

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