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

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Knewbies | Learn to Knit from Scratch!

February 2, 2015 3 Comments

Knewbies | Learn to Knit from Scratch! | Hands Occupied

A beginning knitting series is something I’ve been thinking about doing on Hands Occupied for awhile, and I decided it’s time to take the plunge! As I’ve mentioned in past posts, I learned to knit as a child from my grandma. Those first couple lessons were not only special, but kind of crucial since online video didn’t exist until I was in late high school. Though my initial lessons were with Grandma, we lived in different towns, so I was left to pursue more lessons from various library books with instructions and illustrations that could be completely baffling for an 8-year-old. Due to a combination of stitch encyclopedia-induced childhood trauma and my complete lack of skill as an illustrator, I decided the lessons in this new series will be done in a series of videos rather than drawings or photos. For me, videos a really effective way to understand knitting, whether it’s your first-ever time knitting or you’re trying to learn a new technique after years of knitting.

Knewbies/The Mechanics

The series is going to be called Knewbies. (Basically “knewbies” is faster to google than “knitting 101.” And as I know a fair amount of you are as addicted to Instagram as I am, #knewbies is shorter than #omghandsoccupiedlearningtoknit. Long hashtags are bananas.) Along with the video lessons, I’m going to feature patterns designed for absolute beginners that aren’t useless and/or hideous. I’ll write up blog posts whenever new videos and patterns are ready so those who subscribe to updates via email or a feed reader don’t have to deal with subscribing to yet another separate thing.

Both last spring and fall I did a knit along series, which was super fun, but based on feedback I’ve gotten so far in the reader survey and in comments on the knit alongs, a lot of you would like to see more beginner tutorials. So instead of a spring KAL at Hands Occupied, there will be Knewbies. Don’t worry, though! There will be a fall KAL again starting in September/October. Stay tuned. :)

Oh! One more don’t-worry thing – I’ll still be posting non-Knewbies content while I share Knewbies content. This blog won’t become exclusively for new knitters – we’re just going to bring more knitters on board the happy Hands Occupied train!

Click to access beginner knitting tutorials!

FYI: This new badge is in the sidebar and will link to all Knewbies tutorials as they’re added to the site. 

Any questions?

I know I’m already getting info from you with the reader survey this week, but if you’ve got any questions about Knewbies or requests for tutorials or patterns you’d like to see from this series, let me know in the comments!

Filed Under: Knitting, Knitting & Crochet, Knitting 101 Tagged With: how to knit, knewbies, knitting 101, knitting basics, knitting from scratch, learn to knit, learning to knit

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. Havok

    February 2, 2015 at 10:39 am

    Yay! I love how knitting looks, but have never been able to get my tension right, so I always give up quickly!
    So far as questions go – I’ve got yarn to work with, but no needles (I gave them away after my silly “I’ll never learn!” moment a few years back) – what size do you suggest for following along in this series?

    Reply
    • Heidi

      February 3, 2015 at 10:46 pm

      I’ve got a whole post about this headed your way tomorrow morning! ;)

      Reply
  2. Debbie Price

    February 4, 2015 at 11:59 am

    Hello! I recently found your blog and I am so glad I did! I am excited about the Knewbie series you are starting and am joining in! I crochet tons, and knit little! My knitting is self-taught and I am so very slow at it. Please do not ask how slow, let’s just say I knitted a scarf and it should be able to wrap around the world, as long as it took me to knit it :) So, I have my needles at the ready and I’ll be waiting for each lesson. Question: where did you get your t-shirt about not going without your yarn? Really like it and would love one. I take my yarn everywhere, also take a book with me.
    I hope you have a wonderful week!
    Hugs,
    Deb
    p.s. I see you live in Chicago. I live in Goshen, IN.

    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 🧶✂️
Lol what have I done? 😅🫣😂 Only the back, Lol what have I done? 😅🫣😂 Only the back, sleeves & collar to go! 
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#handsoccupied #intarsia #knitting #knittersofinstagram #handknitting #seamedsweater #wip #wipwednesday #knitlove
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
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