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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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Never miss a tutorial with these short & sweet monthly updates.

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handsoccupied

Craft book author, designer & creator specializing in yarn crafts like knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé
❤️ Email preferred

Heidi Gustad 🧶✂️
Learn how to do the magic loop method for knitting Learn how to do the magic loop method for knitting in the round in 90 seconds. / Using the magic loop allows knitters to work in the round with a single, long circular needle at a range of circumferences. 
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For a longer, full-width & more detailed overview of magic loop knitting, check out my u2be & b1og, the 🔗🔗 are where you’d think. 🧶
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#handsoccupied #magicloop #knitting #howtoknit #learntoknit #knitter #knittinginspiration #knittinginstagram #knittingintheround
Since it won’t be clean for long, swipe to see w Since it won’t be clean for long, swipe to see what my home studio looks like these days. Nothing will ever quite be like the old Hands Occupied Studio, but I’m pretty pleased with how I shoehorned everything in this space. Function over form + a layer of yarn cuteness-meets-chaos is how I’d describe my creative space needs. 😆 When I was still renting the studio, those needs included “doesn’t rain suspicious brown water from a crack in the ceiling for a year,” so this is an improvement! 😆
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For a time lapse of the studio organizing and tszuj-ing process, scroll down a couple posts on my feed. (There’s also a video or two featuring the old studio if you’re curious.) Happy June, friends! 
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#handsoccupied #handsoccupiedstudio #knitdesigner #craftdesign #yarncrafts #latchhook #makerlife #heidigustad #chicagocrafter
Who doesn’t love magic loop knitting? Who doesn’t know what it is? How about when circular needles were invented?
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In todays new bl0g post + video tutorial, you’ll learn about the magic loop method for knitting in the round, how to do it and why to use it, and when it came to be. The 🔗 is in my b1o. 🧶 
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#handsoccupied #magicloop #knitting #howtoknit #knittinginspiration #knittingintheround
Finally organizing & putting the finishing touches Finally organizing & putting the finishing touches on my home studio. After losing my studio space last fall, it’s feels really great to *occupy* this new space all the way. 😉
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I started by removing general clutter & returning straggler supplies from various WIPs, videos & design deadlines to their homes. Next, I hung a third peg board in the space - this one is mostly for display and less for organizing tools or projects. For the first time ever, I’m displaying projects from my book, plus a couple other faves. (The best thing about designing more yarn crafts besides knit & crochet is that I have some really fun -and delightfully pettable 😆- samples around.) I finished by adding a square dowel to my small supply storage tower to keep it from tipping over, plus re-arranging and de-cluttering the closet. 
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This cleaner space already has me feeling so much more creative and less overwhelmed. Now to find a safe spot in the basement for the tower of project samples in Rubbermaid tubs I liberated from my WIPs closet. Also why are there five?! 
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Here’s to keeping it clean for a few weeks! 🧶 
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#handsocupied #handsoccupiedstudio #craftroom #craftroomorganization #craftroomstorage #yarncraft #knitter #crocheter #latchhook #latchhookbook
It’s a disaster in here and my video microphone It’s a disaster in here and my video microphone isn’t cooperating, but it could be worse! How’s your day? 
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(If we haven’t yet met, I’m Heidi and I’m a pattern designer and tutorial creator specializing in yarn crafts like knitting & latch hook. You can learn more about my work and regularly find new tutorials in my profile. ☺️👋🏻)
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#handsoccupied #craftstudio #knitter #yarncrafter
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