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Hands Occupied

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

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Picks of the Week

August 24, 2018 2 Comments

Picks of the Week for August 24, 2018 | Hands Occupied

images via sources below

Such clever ideas this week! The weaving-inspired cookies and photo backdrop make with strips of plastic tablecloths are both particular standouts for really creative takes on yarn crafts. Can we just say officially that I called it? Latch hook is BACK, and there are 2 ideas here to prove it. Me bragging about being right aside 😜, I hope more bloggers embrace this trend because it’s so very fun, easy & addictive. 

so much fun

DIY latch hook cushion cover -my poppet
weaving-inspired sugar cookies -a beautiful mess
easy crochet apple -repeat crafter me
pinata fringe photo backdrop (a.k.a. latch hooking with unusual materials) -a kailo chic life 
macrame purse -fall for diy
granny square picnic blanket -dabbles & babbles

And the winner is!

The Berroco Aero giveaway winner is Kathleen M. Check your inbox for next steps, girlfriend! :)

in case you missed it…

Recent: Looking for things to knit?

The Very Serious Crafts Podcast: Episode 10 goes live Monday – catch up while you craft this weekend!

Ongoing: The Read Along Knit Along is coming September 1 – it’s nearly here! Save on the Intarsia Mountain pattern we’re knitting: use coupon code JACK for 15% through Sunday and get 10% off using REDFOX August 27-31.

Filed Under: Weekly Picks Tagged With: crochet, latch hook, picks of the week, weaving

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. Cindy G

    August 24, 2018 at 5:51 pm

    After getting caught up on the Very Serious Crafts podcasts, I decided to investigate bobbin lace, but couldn’t find any nearby beginners classes. So, when I was in the store the other day, and a latch hook kit was in the clearance section, I decided that I had to get it. I made more than one latch hook projects as a kid in the 70’s, so I’m hoping the skill comes back to me quickly. I did have to go back and buy a latch hook, but now I’m ready to go. I can’t start it just yet (it will be a 12” square pillow), but I expect to finish it fairly quickly once I start it. Thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply
    • Heidi

      August 30, 2018 at 4:29 pm

      No problem! I’m so glad to have more people with me on the latch hook wagon. (PS: I’ve got some more latch hook posts in the works too! Can’t stop, won’t stop. ;) )

      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

Helping yarn crafters untangle various techniques on the internet since 2010
🧶 Really into intarsia
Stay up-to-date 💌 & shop the latest patterns ⤵️

Heidi Gustad 🧶 knitting & yarn crafts
How to convert a closet into WIPs storage with jus How to convert a closet into WIPs storage with just a few supplies ✂️
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When I was a librarian, we would use these hanging bags to circulate books with audiobook CDs. They came to mind when I wanted to develop a filing cabinet-like system for my differently-sized WIPs. To fit in my studio closet, a standard bedroom closet, they just needed custom hangers. 🤙🏻 
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HOW TO MAKE THE HANGERS
1. Carefully cut approx. a 9” (23 cm) length of flexible 3 mm aluminum wire.
2. Near the end of a large knitting needle or dowel, wrap the wire around it as you would a twist tie. 
3. Bend the other end into a hook shape, perpendicular to the circle shape you just created. 
4. Hang like a hanger in a closet, as shown. 
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#handsoccupied #handmadelife #knitting_inspiration #craftcloset #craftroom #craftroomorganization #craftroomstorage #craftroomdecor #crocheter #latchhook #knittersofinstagram #wip #wips #hangingstorage
It’s time for the monthly review and giveaway! T It’s time for the monthly review and giveaway! This go around, get to know two new sister yarns from @manosyarnsusa, Marla and Sami, and enter to win a skein of each to try for yourself. 
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What makes these yarns sisters is that, while dyed differently, they’re the same weight and come in intentionally coordinating color palettes. For my review, I opted for a sky-inspired combo of Sami in Natural and Marla in Nube. 🌧️ 
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Check out the full review & enter the giveaway at the link in my bio. 
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#handsoccupied #yarnreview #manosdeluruguay #knitting_inspire #crochet #yarngiveaway #knitters #yarn #crochetersofinstagram
If only knitting a whole project took 39 seconds… 😮‍💨 
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In this video, you can see how the Intarsia Flower Pillow pattern knits up - two flat panels, one with intarsia, both are blocked, and then they’re seamed. Find the pattern on @hi.ravelry & my website, just search Intarsia Flower Pillow. 🌸 
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P.S. I’m really smiling in this video while seaming the pillow, so I guess I’m proving last week’s claim that I truly enjoy that sometimes-dreaded task. 😆🫣
In knitting, a Left Lifted Increase (LLI) lets you In knitting, a Left Lifted Increase (LLI) lets you add a stitch in between two columns of stitches that leans to the left. Similar to an M1L, LLIs allow you to increase nearly invisibly.
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To learn more about lifted increases, including when to use them and how they differ from Make 1s, head to the 🔗 in my profle. 
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Have you ever used lifted increases? I used M1’s almost exclusively for a long time when I needed to inc between stitches, but when I designed the Intarsia Flower Pillow pattern, I needed something that would allow me to increase a lot near my cast on, and M1’s resulted in edge curling. The more you know! 🌈 
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Yarn: @lionbrandyarn Wool Ease from my Stash / Neddles: @boyeyarncrafts - Just remembered these are the needles I learned to knit on at age 8. 😂
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#handsoccupied #knitting #learntoknit #howtoknit #sweaterknitting #knitinspiration #knittersofinstagram #liftedincreases
Last week I got to hang out with my family & helpe Last week I got to hang out with my family & helped babysit my red-headed niece and nephew. So here’s some plane knitting, and a couple pictures (shared with permission) of my babysitting adventures.
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Lessons learned: 1️⃣ Trying to knit around 2 toddlers, 2 cats & 2 large dogs is pretty hard. 2️⃣ I learned during water color time that pink and black make “colorful black.” 🩷🖤 3️⃣ Toddlers do NOT care about your rainbow sorting of their toys. 4️⃣ Toddlers are very good at finding mischief in a very short amount of time, what a surprise. 😂
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#handsoccupied #knitting #placesyoucanknit #knitters #knitinpublic #handmadelife #knitting_inspiration
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