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Hands Occupied

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

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Knit & Crochet Along!

Knit alongs (KALs) & crochet alongs (CALs) are so much fun to participate in, especially if you’re looking to you up your knitting or crochet skills while making a finished project you’ll love. On this page, you can read about all of the “Alongs” we’ve done over the years!

September-October 2018

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.

Read Along Knit Along: The Snow Child: Intarsia Mountain pattern / Yarn support: Why Knot Fibers / Finished object: The Scarf of Dreams / Get all of the posts here. / #ralkal  #IntarsiaMountain #ReadAlongIRL / This was our third Read Along with a weekly in-person meetup in addition to our regular blog posts and online discussion. / This was our first Read Along with additional meetups on the fourth Wednesday of the month at Chicago’s Logan Theater, and our first with a workshop related to the pattern. 

April 2018

Crochet the Worker Bee Bag & Worker Bee Clutch during the Read Along Crochet Along, April 1-30! This adorable bag uses filet crochet, baubles, and elongated stitches to create a fun, textural piece perfect for spring!
Read Along Crochet Along: The Beekeeper’s Apprentice: Worker Bee Bag pattern / Yarn support: Why Knot Fibers / Finished object: The Scarf of Dreams / Get all of the posts here. / #ralcal  #workerbeebag #ReadAlongIRL / This was our second Read Along with a weekly in-person meetup in addition to our regular blog posts and online discussion.

October 2017

The Scarf of Dreams knitting pattern by Heidi Gustad, inspired by The Night Circus
Read Along Knit Along: The Night Circus: The Scarf of Dreams pattern / Yarn support: Leading Men Fiber Arts / Finished object: The Scarf of Dreams / Get all of the posts here. / #ralkal #ralkalirl / This was our first Read Along with a weekly in-person meetup in addition to our regular blog posts and online discussion.

March 2017

Rick & Roll Socks by Heidi Gustad - Try out this colorful, fun-to-make and beginner-friendly sock knitting pattern!

Read Along Knit Along: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society: Rick & Roll Socks pattern / Partners: Colorpurl & Yarnbox / Finished object: Rick & Roll Socks / Get all of the posts here. / #ralkal #tglappps

January 2017

Exquisite Mystery Shawl pattern

Exquisite Mystery KAL: Exquisite Mystery pattern / Partners: Dream in Color Yarn, Sarah Bear Crafts and Renegade Knitwear / Finished object: Exquisite Mystery Shawl / Get all of the posts here. / #exquisiteMKAL

October 2016

Read and knit along with Heidi from Hands Occupied!

The Read Along Knit Along: Other People’s Houses Shawl / Partner: Louet / Finished object: Center out drop stitch shawl / Get all of the posts here. / #RALKAL

January 2016

Knit the Funkasonic Mittens & Funkasonic Mukluks to keep toasty this winter!

Funkasonic Mittens & Funkasonic Mukluks / Partners: PostStitch & Ewe Ewe Yarns / Finished objects: stripes mittens & mukluk style slipper socks knit cuff down / Get all of the posts here. / #funkasonicKAL

August 2015

Check out the Delta Hat, an asymmetrical cloche that's a blast to knit!

The Delta Hat / August 2015 KAL / Sponsor: Bijou Basin Ranch / Finished object: Asymmetrical cloche hat / available in one size / Get all of the posts here. / #deltahatKAL

Spring 2015

Spring Meadow Scarf Knit Along - Hands Occupied for All Free Knitting

The Spring Meadow Scarf / Spring 2015 KAL Heidi hosted for AllFreeKnitting / Sponsor: Red Heart Yarn / Finished object: A spring lace scarf / Sizes available: one size / Get all of the tutorials here. / #springmeadowKAL

Fall 2014

The Remy Pullover Sweater by Hands Occupied

The Remy Pullover / Fall 2014 KAL / Sponsor: Lion Brand Yarn / Finished object: A bottom-up raglan sweater / Sizes available: XS-XXL / Get all of the tutorials here. / #fall2014KAL

Spring 2014

Shorty Socks Knitting Pattern at handsoccupied.com

Shorty Socks / Spring 2014 KAL / Finished object: Cuff-down socks / Sizes available: one size with instructions for calculating your own / Get all of the tutorials here. / #spring2014KAL

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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 & pattern designer ❤️💛💙
knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé
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Please email for pattern support. 🧶

Heidi Gustad 🧶✂️
How to to knit throwing (a.k.a. English) style . How to to knit throwing (a.k.a. English) style 
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In knitting, there are a few common knitting styles. Most often you’re going to encounter continental style and English (throwing) style on your knitting journey. I recently had an old video teaching continental style get a lot of views. Based on the comments, it was clear the people wanted to also see a throwing tutorial, so here you go! 🧶
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Please note that there is a LOT of variation in knitting styles, and one isn’t necessarily better than another. Most often, I’ve found it comes down to two things: how you were taught and whether or not you’re really into colorwork knitting (which can involve a mix of styles). 
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Longer-term knitters who’ve made it this far: do you prefer one over the other? And why? 
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#handsoccupied #englishknitting #learntoknit #knitting #howtoknit #knittersofinstagram #knitting_inspiration
How to do a one-step provisional knitting cast on How to do a one-step provisional knitting cast on / a.k.a. crochet provisional cast on, scrap yarn cast on
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I read recently that tiktok and Instagram are being used as search engines more and more. 🤔 I thought since I’m going to all the work of making tutorials on YouTube, I should experiment with making a quick version of them for other platforms. There are obvious teaching limitations to vertical video, short-form content like this, but I think I covered the gist of this cast on in a minute. The YouTube version also covers how to unzip this cast on because there was time for it 👍🏻 L1nk is in my profile. 
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I’m very much looking for feedback as I continue to make instructional knitting & craft videos. Sometimes good tutorials are hard to find, and (ideally polite) feedback helps me improve. 
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#handsoccupied #provisionalcaston #knitting #knititngtutorial #knittersofinstagram #crochethook #knittingtutorial
For the first time in a long time, there’s a new For the first time in a long time, there’s a new tutorial from Hands Occupied! 🎉 The video is live on YouTube & the blog. 
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The post covers what provisional cast ons are & how they differ, and the video covers how to work a one-step provisional cast on using scrap yarn and a crochet hook. (This is a great one to save for future reference.)
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I learned several names for this method while researching this video & post. Crochet provisional cast on, one-step cast on, scrap yarn cast on - if you know even more names for this technique, please share! 
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#handsoccupied #provisionalcaston #knitting #scrapyarn #crochethook
Working on a sample for some upcoming videos. It’s an overcast day with intermittent sunshine & I have a scruffy little sidecar. 🐶 Can’t complain! 
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What’s on your needles this week? 
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Yarn: @debbieblissknits Cashmerino Aran 
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#handsoccupied #knitting #knittinglife
Peg boards and craft room organization go together Peg boards and craft room organization go together like peanut butter and jelly. So, as you can see, do latch hook tools and screwdriver organizers! 🪛 
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I think this trick translates to any tool with a thick handle, so leather working tools, punch needles, print making tools, etc. should work! What other tools am I, a needlecrafter, blanking on right now? 
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#craftorganization #handsoccupied #latchhook #latchhooking
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