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Hands Occupied

Contemporary yarn crafts by Heidi Gustad. Knitting, crochet, latch hook and macrame.

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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 an artist, author and crafts designer specializing in knitting, crochet, latch hook and macrame. In addition to running the Hands Occupied Blog and Pattern Shop, you can find her making videos & co-hosting the Very Serious Crafts podcast.

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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, an author, yarn craft designer and content creator specializing in knitting, crochet, latch hook & macrame. My work unapologetically features primary colors and vintage-meets-modern style. My first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is now available!

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Craft book author & content creator in love with primary colors & vintage vibes. / #latchhookbook out now!
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knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé

Heidi Gustad 🧶✂️
There’s an update on the blog today, & it’s ab There’s an update on the blog today, & it’s about how I’m going to take the next 2 weeks off to rest & recharge. ☺️🧶 No new content for y’all means I can also take a moment to zoom out & plan what’s next. Link is in bio. 
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A note on Very Serious Crafts: In the post I discuss stepping away from the @seriouscrafts podcast to give myself more time to devote to some minor medical issues. Don’t you worry - my health will be fine, & @molliejohanson @redhandledscissors and I are still pals, and after a short break of their own, the podcast will be back! Just sans moi. 💁🏼‍♀️😆 
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See you in a couple weeks! ✌🏻#handsoccupied #knitdesign #craftdesign #sofadedsweater
Been a little quiet this holiday week, as it shoul Been a little quiet this holiday week, as it should be. ☺️🎄The past few days have been filled with a lot of catching up on festive zoom calls & raising toasts to the camera. 🥂 Connecting with people has been a welcome change of pace! Now I’m feeling ready to meet my inevitable end-of-year deadlines. 😆
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Warmest wishes for the season, my friends! ❤️💛💙
Hi, I’m Heidi, the craft book author & maker beh Hi, I’m Heidi, the craft book author & maker behind Hands Occupied! 👋🏻 I’ve been enjoying making Reels a lot lately, but I wanted to bop in to share a regular photo & say hello. 🤓 
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rather than giving you my bio right now, I have a question. I just got this new sweater & I can’t stop imaging how funny it would be to wear this to a knitting class ... is that bad? 🤣🤣🤣
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Pictured: a blond woman with glasses wearing a sweater that reads “all your sweaters are ugly” standing in front of a Christmas tree.
Wet blocking, also called immersive blocking, is o Wet blocking, also called immersive blocking, is one of the most common methods for finishing a knitting project and helping ensure its final size and shape. Learn basic blocking for absolute beginners in an easy-to-follow (non-Reel!) video tutorial! Catch the tutorial on YouTube or the Hands Occupied Blog, link is in bio. 🧶 #handsoccupied #stopswatchandblockit #KPAmbassadorsDec20 #sponsored
Had to share this perfect capture of one of my fav Had to share this perfect capture of one of my favorite weird homemade Christmas ornaments: a simple macramé Santa face with beads for the eyes and nose! My Great-Grandma made it too. 🎄
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Might have to try making a quickie Reel tutorial for this guy - I think it’s the perfect project for it, don’t you? 🎅🏼 #handsoccupied #macrame
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