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Hands Occupied

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

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Happy 10th Birthday, Hands Occupied!

September 21, 2020 4 Comments

It's hard to believe it, but it's been TEN years since the first blog post went live on Hands Occupied. Read a little about the Hands Occupied timeline, the latest Latch Hook book news, and some surprise updates!
A very clean shot of my colorful home, featuring Hands Occupied projects from over the years: arm rest end tables, latch hook rainbow & card catalog table.

On 9/16/10, I bought handsoccupied.com and signed up for a few social media accounts under the name handsoccupied. Over the next week or so, I learned how to install WordPress on my new internet domain, installed some templates, learned to customize them, tried my hand at basic graphics, and then I used my handy iPhone 3 (lol), to shoot a nice picture of my homemade wedding bouquet. On September 22, the first Hands Occupied blog post went live, and, well, here we are! Ten years on, in the midst of a pandemic and on the cusp of the release of my first book, I am a full time professional craft designer and content creator with my own studio in Chicago. (For new folks, welcome! I’m Heidi, and I specialize in yarn crafts, like knitting, crochet, latch hook and macrame.)

I fell into this whole career butt first during the last recession, but at this point, that feels beyond irrelevant. I’m here, I like creating things from a place of joy, and I like making content sharing my love of crafts. Some people will never understand why you’d want to latch hook a two foot popsicle or knit a ten skein intarsia afghan in nine bold colors. Those are not my people, and it’s all good.

latch hook pom pom costume (2019)

anxiety + confidence

It took a lot of work on myself over the last decade to develop the confidence to say that last sentence. These days, I know who I am as a creative, I know what steps I want to take next, I know what my style is, and it is absolutely valid, even if someone else doesn’t think so.

At first I was terrified people would be angry my work was evolving too much. In the last 18 months or so, I have (finally, thankfully) found my stride and come into my own as a latch hook designer. But after several years of being known most for knitting & crochet, it was hard to be confident in focusing on the perhaps-anachronistic craft of latch hook in 2020 and beyond. (Plus I still wanted to do knit design, but after my arthritis issues, I can’t do that exclusively. It’s just not in the cards.)

Consistency is something I’ve always struggled with in my work on Hands Occupied. Whether to focus on happy blogger style work or to “get serious” and “become a serious sort of fiber designer.” In the end, though, we all define what the words serious and success mean for ourselves, particularly in self-driven creative spaces. As long as I work to stay in touch with understanding where I want to go with my career, and not be distracted by the wrong opportunity or energy-sucking projects, I know I will keep stitching along. I love what I do, and I’m excited to tackle another decade of creative work.

Intarsia Mountain by Heidi Gustad is a knitting pattern worked primarily in garter stitch and features a beautiful landscape formed using color and geometric lines.
Intarsia Mountain (2018)

15 lessons learned in 10 years of blogging:

  • You have more resources than you think
  • Your work is better then you think
  • People do actually like you 
  • Anxiety/insecurity can make people act like jerks (*raises hand* 😉) 
  • All creation is valid. Seriousness doesn’t necessarily equal great work.
  • Be careful with your energy  
  • People want to tap into your knowledge but no one likes a know-it-all.
  • It’s important to go slow sometimes.
  • Chatting on social media, really connecting in the comments, is a challenge for me that I need do work on. I think it’s tied to introversion, but I’m figuring it out.
  • I find knitting with good technique really satisfying, and it’s fine that that is somewhat unusual. 😊
  • I love knitting intarsia, and it’s fine that that is very unusual. 🤣
  • If I could only design 2 things for the rest of my career, it would be seamed intarsia sweaters and latch hook projects. ❤️ 💛 💙
  • Care, but make your deadlines & don’t be too precious. 
  • Don’t take too much on. 
  • When you (finally) understand who you are & what makes you tick, it’s much easier to understand what success means for you personally. And that matters! 
The Scarf of Dreams knitting pattern by Heidi Gustad, inspired by The Night Circus
The Scarf of Dreams knitting pattern (2017)

Thank you all who have been following along with Hands Occupied for a short time, and deep thanks to those who have been around here for the long haul. You are so appreciated, and I wouldn’t be anywhere without your support. 🙏🏼 ❤️


About My Latch Hook Book

The teaser image for Heidi Gustad's new latch hook book, publishing fall 2020 with Leisure Arts

Oh right! It’s fall this week, and I’ve been saying since March that my first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, comes out this fall. Originally my book was supposed to come out this summer, BUT the pandemic had other plans. (Whaddayagonnado.) Then in July, edits were finalized and the book was sent to its U.S.-based printer. To the best of my knowledge as of this writing, my book should still be out this fall. In fact, it could be any day now. There’s a bit of a backlog in the publishing industry right now, so there are many things out of my control. (Whaddayagonnado.)

Whaddya mean, whaddayagonnado?

All we can do is wait, so as soon as the book can be ordered, I will let you all know! When I have my hands on a copy, I’ll take pictures. (Actually I’m sure I’ll cry first as I marvel at its very existence in such a bizarre year.) And then I have a promotion plan in place, so when it’s ready, it’s ready. For now, all I can do is focus on what’s within my control. Speaking of which….


Hands Occupied has a new look & a revamped Shop is coming later this week!

Hands Occupied logo by Heidi Gustad ©2020

New look 👀

Quietly this summer, I’ve been working on updating the logo to be a little more friendly and joyful and less knitting-specific, with a little nod to the vintage aesthetics I so love. In addition, things have been super slowly getting updated on the back end of the site, like old posts getting updated, cleaning up the editing side of the site for my own sanity, etc. It’s kind of like doing a spring cleaning, but just like spring cleaning, I’m glad I don’t have to do it very often! 😆

Revamped shop with surprises to come!

To celebrate ten years of Hands Occupied and the new look, there will soon be some shiny new additions to the online shop. In the past, the Hands Occupied Shop was pretty much about having a place to sell pattern PDFs without the middle man. Since I now have that infrastructure in place, I want to give physical products a try, starting with a drop of the first exclusive Hands Occupied enamel pins later this week. (Don’t worry, they are NOT the new logo.) Stay tuned here and on Instagram this week for all the details!


How-to: Astro Turf Peter Pan Collar at HandsOccupied.com
Astro Turf Peter Pan Collar (one of my all time faves from 2013)

With that, here’s to a decade of Hands Occupied! I truly wouldn’t be here without you, and this strange career has certainly changed my life for the happier. I’m so grateful. Thank you.

Yours in yarn,
Heidi ❤️

Filed Under: Hands Occupied Studio, Inspiration Tagged With: blogging, career, hands occupied

About Heidi

Heidi Gustad (she/her) is a craft book author & designer specializing in yarn crafts. Her work combines vintage and modern design elements, prioritizing color and graphic motifs. Her first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is out now.

Previous Post: « Bomb Popsicle Latch Hook Pattern & Tutorial
Next Post: New in the Shop: Exclusive Enamel Pins! »

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Comments

  1. Kelli

    September 22, 2020 at 9:17 am

    Yay! I love your work and the evolution. Congrats on the book!

    Reply
    • Heidi

      September 22, 2020 at 1:07 pm

      Thank you so much, Kelli! :D
      -Heidi

      Reply
  2. Allison

    September 24, 2020 at 7:05 pm

    Congratulations Heidi!!!
    Also pins?!?!

    Reply
    • Heidi

      September 24, 2020 at 7:33 pm

      Yes! Working on it…. right now! 😆

      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), 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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Latch Hook by Heidi Gustad

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Heidi Gustad 🧶 knitting & yarn crafts

handsoccupied

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

POV: Showing you how my new Bevelled Tank pattern POV: Showing you how my new Bevelled Tank pattern fits with no ease vs. 4” of positive ease. There’s a bit more length to the cotton (brighter color) sample, but both are cropped and feature shoulder seams designed to sit an inch back onto the shoulder instead of on top, giving it a little swing. Length is easily adjustable for folks looking for less of a crop. 
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Pattern: Bevelled Tank by @handsoccupied for @pompommag x @hobbii_yarn summer 2024. Available for free from Hobbii at the 🔗 in my profile.
Yarn pictured: @kelbournewoolens Skipper and Camper. 
Dress form is adjusted to a 36” chest and ~5’3”ish in height. 
Human has a 40” chest and is 5’5”.
Both skirts are vintage.
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #handsoccupied #intarsia #handmade #knitting #colorwork
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 After a 6 month hiatus, I am happy to say I’m back with a brand new pattern in 9 sizes, and it’s FREE as part of @pompommag x @hobbii_yarn’s summer design collection! (Link is in my bio.)
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In my December newsletter, I announced that I was soliciting test knitters for a pattern that had originally been selected for the summer ’24 issue of Pom Pom Quarterly magazine. However, the magazine ceased publication after its spring ’24 issue, leaving in-progress designs unpublished. (It happens.) As a result, I’d begun the long process of editing, testing, and photographing the pattern for independent release through the Hands Occupied pattern shop and Ravelry.
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Before I was done with that process, Pom Pom Quarterly’s former editors reached out with an exciting proposal for the pattern. Post-magazine, they’ve begun to partner with yarn companies to produce high quality pattern collections. They wanted to include designs from the would-be current issue of Pom Pom Quarterly in a new collection for Hobbii yarn, including my Bevelled Tank. I worked with the same technical editors I would have for the magazine on this one, and as you can see from the photos, Pom Pom’s team did an amazing job of styling the garment to the beautiful standards they’re known for.
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You can learn more about the pattern on my blog and get the free pattern from Hobbii yarn - links to both in my profile. I’ll post sizing info in the comments for quick reference too. 🧶
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #knitting #intarsia #sponsored #colorworkknitting 
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Photos: @dianascarrunz 
Model: @angel.jade_
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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