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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:

Mini Golden Snitch Sweater Pattern

A free knitting pattern for a mini golden snitch sweater, inspired by the sweater Harry gets in book six!

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.

Winter Sea Stocking Cap

Winter Sea Stocking Cap - Get the free knitting pattern for this adorable hat at HandsOccupied.com!

Amigurumi Snowman Ornament

Get a free pattern for this crochet snowman Christmas ornament. Practice your amigurumi skills with this fun pattern!

Wrapping Up the 12 Ornaments of Christmas

Knit or crochet some adorable ornaments to trim your tree! Get your hands on 12 free knit and crochet patterns for Christmas ornaments. Each ornament doubles as a great gift topper & stocking stuffer!

Big Old Bias Knit Scarf

The Big Old Bias Knit Scarf is a free knitting pattern. It's perfect for experienced knitters looking for a palette cleanser (and a way to use up those yarn ends), but it's also good for beginners who want to make something that looks super elegant.

Little Hats, Big Hearts, Declan’s Story & A Free Pattern

Knit red hats to help raise awareness about preemie heart health with the free Declan Hat pattern!

Knit Lightning Bolt Toy

Knit a Harry Potter inspired lightning bolt toy in no time! This free pattern makes a great baby gift, gift topper, key chain or holiday ornament.

Mini Christmas Stockings Pattern

Mini Christmas Stockings Pattern at HandsOccupied.com

Granny Tassel Shawl

This granny square-inspired crochet shawl is super fun to make because once you memorize how to work its easy stitch pattern, you can go to town until it's the size you want, or until you run out of yarn. A shawl like this one is the perfect way to show off your tassel skills, too!

Chunky Ribbed Cowl & How to Knit Rib Stitch

Chunky Ribbed Cowl - Click through for the free knitting pattern!

Crochet Orange Ornament

The gift of citrus fruit, particularly oranges, is a long-standing Christmas treat. To celebrate this old-fashioned holiday tradition, crochet a fast orange ornament for your tree! Get the free pattern on Hands Occupied.

Market Cowl – Free Crochet Pattern

Crochet the versatile Market Cowl, a free pattern that does double duty as a layering-friendly cowl or wrap.

All Cables Cowl Pattern

All Cables Cowl Knitting Pattern at Hands Occupied

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.

Red Hats for Newborns + A Free Pattern

Red Hats for Newborns Pattern at handsoccupied.com

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.

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

Knit Holiday Ornaments Three Ways

Add some handmade cuteness to your Christmas tree this year - knit up a colorful ornament for your tree with one of these three free patterns.

Easy No Slip Hangers

Easy No Slip Hangers - Free Crochet Pattern - handsoccupied.com

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!

Newbie Fringe Scarf Pattern

The Newbie Fringe Scarf - A free beginner pattern!

Fisherman’s Rib Baby Blanket

Knit the Fisherman's Rib Baby Blanket, a great option for a decorative throw or baby blanket. This pattern uses an addictive stitch with lots of and dimensionality that will give your blanket endless texture.

Little Sprout Baby Hat

Little Sprout Baby Hat Knitting Pattern at handsoccupied.com

Even more free patterns →

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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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#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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