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Hands Occupied

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

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Press

Hands Occupied in print!

  • DIY Lifestyle Magazine (US – digital) December 2014 – no sew headband tutorial
  • Homespun Magazine (Aus) September 2014 – loom knitting tutorial
  • Let’s Knit Magazine (UK) July 2014 -blogger feature
  • Sewing World (UK) January 2015 – knitting needle case sewing tutorial
  • I Like Crochet (US) April 2015 – Purple Haze Messenger Bag crochet pattern
  • DIY Lifestyle Magazine (US – digital) May 2015 – DIY bird nest helper tutorial
  • I Like Knitting (US) June 2015 – English Lace Scarf knitting pattern
  • School Library Journal – Faux Tie Dye Tshirts
  • Knitscene (US) Winter 2015 – Blogspotting feature

Knitscene - Winter 2015

Hands Occupied link love…

This is not an exhaustive list, but you should totally visit these blogs that were nice enough to share some of my projects!

2015

  • 14 Things Only Knitters Will Understand at Mollie Makes
  • How-To: Knit a “Hat” Hat at Make:Craft
  • How-To: Knitted Long John Cowl at Make:Craft

Hands Occupied's DIY Knitting Nancy in Homespun Magazine

2014

  • How-To: Red Knitted Hats for Preemies at Make:Craft
  • How-To: Metal Stamped Stitch Markers at Make:Craft
  • It must be the year of the cowl at Craft Gossip
  • Knitting Tips: How to Knit a Daisy Stitch at Make: Craft
  • How-To: Winter Sea Stocking Cap at Make:Craft
  • Knitting Tips: How to Sew a Kitchener Stitch at Make:Craft
  • How-To: DIY Pencil Clutch at Make:Craft
  • Make Crocheted Rings at Dollar Store Crafts
  • Hobbit Holes, And Other Fun Pop Culture Projects at Hello Giggles
  • Knitting Pattern: Shorty Socks at Make:Craft
  • Fun Stuff at The Pink Samurai
  • 17 Creative Ideas – How to Make Bracelets this Season at DIYmaniac
  • Tutorial: Knitting needle pencil pouch at Craft Gossip
  • 25 Sweet as Honey Projects at Going Home to Roost
  • How-To: Crocheted Rings at Make:Craft
  • How-to: Set Yarn Colors to Prevent them from Running at Make:Craft
  • DIY5: Episode 5 at Whimseybox (featured blogger)
  • How-to: Comic Book Compact at Make: Craft
  • 12 Terrific DIY Metal Stamped Pendants at icanmake:metal stamped jewelry
  • Cricut Reviews Around the Web at I Love My Cricut Explore
  • 10 Beautiful Metal Stamped Projects at icanmake:metal stamped jewelry
  • How-to: Stacked Ombre Heart Candles at Make:Craft
  • How to make stacked ombre heart candles at DIY Home Sweet Home
  • 40 DIY Valentine’s Day Gifts They’ll Actually Want at BuzzFeed
  • How-to: Super-Warm Faux Woven Knit Cowl at Make:Craft
  • 20 Turquoise Tutorials at Jaderbomb
  • 120 Handmade DIY Valentine Projects at Henry Happened
  • Bone Folder vs. Scoring Board at Whimseybox
  • I love giraffe! at A Little Typical
  • How-to: Duck Tape Tablet Case and Foldover Clutch at Daisydozit

2013

  • 15 Pinterest Holiday Boards to Follow at The Noshery
  • Merry Christmas + DIY Holiday Glitter Bombs at Make:Craft
  • Daily DIY at One Pretty Thing
  • DIY Lighting Idea: Make a Marquee Arrow from Foam Core at Apartment Therapy
  • 11 Festive Recipes for Your Holiday Party at the Sunglass Warehouse blog
  • DIY Giant LED Arrow Sign at Craft Gossip
  • Craft Schooling Sunday at Creative Jewish Mom
  • Top 10 Last Minute Halloween Costumes for Kids and Adults at Top Inspired
  • 12 DIY Signs That Just Say It All at BuzzFeed
  • 10 Fetching DIY Dog Collars at Brit+Co
  • Tony Abbott’s Daughters, The Hideous Skywhale, And Eleven Other Costumes That Will Win Halloween at Junkee
  • How-to: Last Minute Dandelion Costume at Make:Craft
  • Glow in the Dark Radioactive Jars at Create for Less
  • Halloween 2013 #1 at von Hand zu Hand (in German)
  • Craft Schooling Sunday at Creative Jewish Mom
  • Colorful Spider Drink Markers at All Cheap Crafts
  • 125 Creative Halloween DIYs at Henry Happened
  • Spooky Eyeball Garland at Make:Craft
  • One Material, Many Ways – 7 Ribbon DIY Projects at Whimseybox
  • 15 Simply Adorable Fall DIYs for Kids at Relish
  • How to make your own faux flower accessories (guest post) at One Good Thing by Jillee
  • 6 Progetti Back to School at Mammafelice (in Italian)
  • The Best Wreath Tutorials for Every Holiday and Season at Becoming Martha
  • 25 Halloween Party Ideas at Simple and Trendy
  • 30+ Fabulous Fall Wreaths at Create.Craft.Love
  • Happy Friday and a Weekend Project at Poppytalk
  • How-to: Sharpie Faux Tie Diye at Make:Craft
  • Heidi Gustad: The Skillful Librarian at All Cheap Crafts
  • Comfy Chair Series at Fabric Warehouse Direct
  • 25 DIY Halloween Costume Projects at Woman of Many Roles
  • Creative Seating Charts, Escort Cards & Table Numbers at Designed by BH
  • 12 DIY Concrete Outdoor Planters at Decorating Ideas
  • Some Adorable DIY Accessories at eNewMall Blog
  • Sweet (and free) embroidery patterns at How About Orange
  • 10 Easy Crafts for Outdoor Summer Parties
  • Cute Dog Collars at Living Impressive
  • Candle Making 101 at Craft Gossip
  • 17 Amazing Last-Minute 4th of July Decorations at CraftTuts+
  • Patriotic Crafts for the Fourth of July
  • banana republic + milly + making it lovely = camp W visit! at the Camp Wandawega blog
  • Candle Making Tutorial at Things to Do Yourself
  • DIY Indoor Gardening Gutters at The Urban Gardening Digest
  • 5 DIY Ribbon Flowers You Can Make at Ribbons.com
  • Fetching! at The Daily Dog Tag
  • How-Tuesday: 12 Craft Party Ideas
  • Etsy Meet & Make: June DIY Workshops
  • How-to: Woven Ribbon Lampshade at Make
  • bring on the blooms… at Catching Fireflies
  • Revive a lampshade with woven ribbon from Diane Gilleland on Sulia
  • 28 Decorating Tricks To Brighten Up Your Rented Home at BuzzFeed
  • Emily’s Baby Shower at Phillypott
  • DIY Googly Eye Phone Case at Be Different Act Normal
  • Creative Collar Crafts at Crafted
  • Recycle Fabric Scraps: Easy Crafts at Living+Dreaming
  • Things I Like at Transient Expression
  • How-to: Astro Turf Peter Pan Collar at Make
  • Get Your DIY Fix (10 photos) at theBERRY
  • Knot up a fresh collar for your dog at Sulia
  • 24 Eye-Catching Googly Eye DIYs at BuzzFeed
  • The Ultimate Mad Men Project Roundup at Mad in Crafts
  • Drink This, Make That at Smart School House
  • 32 Cool and Unexpected Prom Accessories at BuzzFeed
  • Balloons of rislampa at Hus & Hem (Swedish)
  • Enjoy The Last Few Weeks of Winter With These DIY Snowflake Votives at HuffPost Home
  • How-to: DIY Swiss Army Blanket at Make

2012

  • Meet the Maker: Kelly Fleek at Kollabora
  • New Year’s Eve Party Ideas at Paisley Petal Events
  • Recipe: Peppermint Schnapps Swirl Cupcakes at Make:Craft
  • DIY Candy Cane Christmas Necklace at Mod Podge Rocks!
  • Fall Roundup at DMC Threads Blog
  • Inspired to Vote – Election Embroidery at The Fabric Shopper
  • How-To: Glow-in-the-Dark Travel Flask at Make: Craft
  • #CBNDailyDose 10/19/12 at Chicago Blogger Network’s Tumblr
  • 25 DIY Clay Tutorials at Henry Happened
  • DIY FYI: Clutch Purse from Rulers at Colour Me There
  • diy ruler clutch purse at the frankie magazine blogs
  • How-to: Metal Stamping 101 at Make
  • Ooh, I Like That – Some DIY Inspiration at Sky Turtle
  • How-to: Ruler Clutch Purse at Make
  • How To Tuesday: Ruler Clutch Purse at Fabric Warehouse Direct Blog
  • Geek Crafts: Back-to-School Ruler Crafts Roundup at FaveCrafts
  • DIY Hot Air Balloon Decorations at The Making Spot
  • How-to: Hot Air Balloon Party Decorations at Craft
  • Fresh Find Friday at The Proper Pinwheel
  • Five Blogs to Visit and Love at Mod Podge Rocks
  • How-Tuesday: Map Silhouette Postcard at Etsy
  • Tie-Dye Tablecloth for FaveCrafts
  • Make Neon Tablecloth Weights at Dollar Store Crafts
  • SEO Talk: How to be SE-Optimal in 9 Steps at IndieMade
  • Photochoke at Jumbo Jibbles
  • Make Patriotic Origami Stars at Dollar Store Crafts
  • 5 Fantastic Herb Garden Ideas at Catching Fireflies
  • Top 10 March 2012 at The DIY Club
  • Hear My Womanly Roar at Dammit, Minnie!
  • A Crafty Idea: Urban Folk Circuit Sells Handmade Items at the Grafton at Center Square Journal
  • How-to: Louise Dress from Bob’s Burgers at gen-is-so-crafty

2011

  • Handmade Light-Up Signs at Crafterholic
  • 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Things about Heidi of Hands Occupied at Craft
  • Small Business Spotlight of the Week-Hands Occupied at CrowdSpring
  • Valence modeled after Hands Occupied at Estebee and you and me
  • Planning Your Indie Wedding: A Modern Day Cautionary Tale at GOOD
  • Heidi & Ed’s artichoke and asparagus-themed handmade wedding at Offbeat Bride
  • Ed & Heidi’s Wedding Props on Amy Brown’s Behance Profile
  • Branding Your Wedding at Craft Gossip
  • Heidi and Ed (wedding photos) at lukehartley.com
  • Guest blog: Handmade Shopping in Chicago: Wolfbait & B-girls at The Handmade Gift Guide
  • 7 Sunday Smiles at Studio MME
  • A Very Creative Bride at Craft Gossip

 

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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), and I’ve been helping yarn crafters untangle various techniques on the internet since 2010. I got my start here, as a blogger, and since then I’ve shared more than a few tutorials here and on YouTube as I’ve grown as a pattern designer. 🧶 

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Latch Hook by Heidi Gustad

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INSTAGRAM

handsoccupied

Knitting & yarn crafts designer 🧶
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Stay up-to-date 💌 & shop new patterns ⤵️

Surprise, I had a baby 3 weeks ago! The pregnancy Surprise, I had a baby 3 weeks ago! The pregnancy was high risk, so I chose to be quiet about it online until recently.

My son was born on Saturday 8/30. My water broke at 2 am, and he was born at 11:26 am, which the nurses kept telling us was very fast for a first labor. He weighed 5 lbs 14.2 oz and was 18.5” long. 

My husband & I both put so much effort into educating ourselves about pregnancy and natural childbirth, and when we found out an induction was highly likely, we embraced the lack of control we had in favor of hoping the baby would arrive healthy. To our surprise, he arrived spontaneously at 37 weeks + 4 days, and the labor progressed so quickly, we did end up with a natural labor experience (which I was glad I was prepared for! 😮‍💨😅).

We’re all happy and healthy. June has become his little nanny dog and makes sure we know when he’s crying or has a dirty diaper. We are very grateful for all the love and support we’ve already received from friends and family. Much love to everyone! ❤️❤️❤️
POV: Showing you how my new Bevelled Tank pattern POV: Showing you how my new Bevelled Tank pattern fits with no ease vs. 4” of positive ease. There’s a bit more length to the cotton (brighter color) sample, but both are cropped and feature shoulder seams designed to sit an inch back onto the shoulder instead of on top, giving it a little swing. Length is easily adjustable for folks looking for less of a crop. 
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Pattern: Bevelled Tank by @handsoccupied for @pompommag x @hobbii_yarn summer 2024. Available for free from Hobbii at the 🔗 in my profile.
Yarn pictured: @kelbournewoolens Skipper and Camper. 
Dress form is adjusted to a 36” chest and ~5’3”ish in height. 
Human has a 40” chest and is 5’5”.
Both skirts are vintage.
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #handsoccupied #intarsia #handmade #knitting #colorwork
Let’s talk about fit and ease! . During the Beve Let’s talk about fit and ease!
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During the Bevelled Tank design process for @pompommag, I knit 2 samples using 2 different @KelbourneWoolens yarns. One was in Skipper (100% cotton, second photo) and the other was in Camper (100% 2 ply wool). The Skipper sample was knit for a 36” bust, which measures in at 40” with 4” of positive ease. And I knit the Camper Sample for my 40” bust with a 44” finished measurement. (BTW, I’m 5’5” for folks that find that measurement helpful in visualizing fit.)
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Based on the size chart for the Bevelled Tank, that means I knit one size 3 sample and one size 4. As designed, I conveniently fit a size 4 as intended with 4” of positive ease. When I wear the 3, there is no ease at all because the garment and my body are both 40” in size. Comparing the 2 garments, you can see how the fiber content (cotton vs. wool) and fit (no ease vs. 4” of positive ease) makes a difference in the look and feel of the finished garment. 
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These samples are a great way to compare what ease looks like on different bodies. While I can fit both a size 3 and 4, the garment with no ease feels more like pajamas or a bralette when I wear it. On the other hand, when I wear the one with 4” of positive ease, I feel comfortable enough to wear it to work, even as a crop top. Plus, it leaves me with enough room to layer it with a nice button down if I’m not feeling the cropped look one day. 
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I’m curious - how would you style this tank? Would you modify it with a few stockinette rows for added length? I’m so curious now that this pattern is finally out in the world. :) 
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #bevelledtank #handsoccupied #knitting #intarisa #handmade #kelbournewoolens #croppedsweater #summerknits
After a 6 month hiatus, I am happy to say I’m ba After a 6 month hiatus, I am happy to say I’m back with a brand new pattern in 9 sizes, and it’s FREE as part of @pompommag x @hobbii_yarn’s summer design collection! (Link is in my bio.)
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In my December newsletter, I announced that I was soliciting test knitters for a pattern that had originally been selected for the summer ’24 issue of Pom Pom Quarterly magazine. However, the magazine ceased publication after its spring ’24 issue, leaving in-progress designs unpublished. (It happens.) As a result, I’d begun the long process of editing, testing, and photographing the pattern for independent release through the Hands Occupied pattern shop and Ravelry.
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Before I was done with that process, Pom Pom Quarterly’s former editors reached out with an exciting proposal for the pattern. Post-magazine, they’ve begun to partner with yarn companies to produce high quality pattern collections. They wanted to include designs from the would-be current issue of Pom Pom Quarterly in a new collection for Hobbii yarn, including my Bevelled Tank. I worked with the same technical editors I would have for the magazine on this one, and as you can see from the photos, Pom Pom’s team did an amazing job of styling the garment to the beautiful standards they’re known for.
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You can learn more about the pattern on my blog and get the free pattern from Hobbii yarn - links to both in my profile. I’ll post sizing info in the comments for quick reference too. 🧶
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #knitting #intarsia #sponsored #colorworkknitting 
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Photos: @dianascarrunz 
Model: @angel.jade_
Here’s a nice throwback for you: my take on a vi Here’s a nice throwback for you: my take on a vintage knitting pattern from 1938 called the Fernlace Pullover. A pattern so nice, I knit it twice.
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Yellow version 💛: knit with Despondent Dyes’ Vintage Vixen Sport after attending a @squidneyknits vintage knitting retreat in 2019 & learning *so much*. Paired with a self-drafted circle skirt pattern. 
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Blue version 💙: knit with @eweeweyarns Ewe So Sporty in Sky Blue. Paired with the 1940s Boardwalk Duet sewing pattern from @decades_of_style 
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Head to my stories for 🔗🔗 to the handmade wardrobe blog posts I wrote about each take on the Fernlace Pullover, working with a vintage pattern, where to find vintage patterns (including the one I used), & some thoughts on sizing. 
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Image descriptions available in alt text. 
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#handsoccupied #handmadewardrobe #fernlacepullover #vintageknitting #vintageknittingpatterns #knitting_inspiration
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