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Hands Occupied

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

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Sponsor Spotlight

May 25, 2016 Leave a Comment

Sponsor Spotlight - May 2016, Hands Occupied

Yarnthology / Bijou Basin Ranch / Feel Good Yarn Co.

Today we’re taking a look at three yarn industry companies I’ve had the pleasure of designing for. All three of these have become favorites of mine. I fee like I always say this about yarn companies, but everyone I know who works for them is honestly really nice and passionate about what they do. Maybe that’s why I love the yarn world so much. None of us make a lot of money, so we all are inspired to do this – whether its make yarn, sell yarn, or design with it – from a place of passion, which is really special.

Feel Good Yarn Company

Learn how to knit a chain edge, an easy knitting trick to make your finished projects look amazing!

how to knit a chain edge

First up, we’ve got Feel Good Yarn Company, most known for its SilverSpun yarn that’s literally made with silver. Conductive and delightfully springy, Feel Good’s yarns are so fun to work with. The yarn really offers a unique experience from a knitting perspective, and its conductive properties give designers like yours truly an opportunity to get creative in an era of touchscreen devices.

Bijou Basin Ranch

The Top Notched Shawl - Get your hands on this fun, free & easy pattern for a square knit shawl, perfect to show off those fancy, one-skein yarns you haven't quite found the right use for!

Top Notched Shawl (free pattern)

I will never stop telling you all how much I love Bijou Basin Ranch. The owners are the nicest folks, they work with some of the most passionate dyers, their Tibetan yak fiber is 100% sustainably harvested, and they work hard to support all sorts of indie folks in the needlearts industry. Right now, they’ve got some new indie-dyed colorways available, and using HANDSOCCUPIED, you can get free shipping at checkout. What’s not to love?

Yarnthology

Meet the Sixth Degree Shawl. Cast on this gorgeous, free pattern designed with American made, ethically-sourced yarn!

Sixth Degree Shawl (free pattern)

Last but not least, we’ve got the lovely and earth-friendly Yarnthology. You can get a full run-down of how awesome they are in my recent review of their site, but suffice it to say that by letting shoppers search for yarn by what they value (everything from American made to vegan), they’ve really upped the ante when it comes to being role models in the yarn world. You should check them out – which is easy since you can get 15% off sitewide and free shipping using HANDSOCCUPIED. Isn’t that nice? ;)

Filed Under: Sponsor Spotlight Tagged With: bijou basin ranch, coupon code, feel good yarn company, free shipping, sponsor spotlight, yarn, yarnthology

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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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, designer & creator specializing in yarn crafts like knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé
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Heidi Gustad 🧶✂️
Nobody panic. This is just the back of an (admitte Nobody panic. This is just the back of an (admittedly insane) intarsia project. One day, this will be a seamed sweater, but today is not that day. 🧶 
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Have a good weekend, everyone! 
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Yarn: @universal_yarn’s Fibra Natura Cobblestone in Antarctica & Dragon’s Breath 
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#handsoccupied #intarsia #intarsiaknitting #wip #knitting
Here’s how to work a Norwegian purl stitch for e Here’s how to work a Norwegian purl stitch for easier continental style knitting. With this purling method, the working yarn says tensioned (held) at the back of your knitting at all times. For many knitters, always holding the yarn at the back helps with tension issues, as well as feeling a little more comfortable. 
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Have you ever encountered this style of purling before? If you’ve tried it, have you found it helps with your purl tension and knitting speed? I’m curious.
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For a written tutorial, visit handsoccupied-dot-com. For video, you guessed it, You2be. Both of these platforms allow for longer, more in-depth versions of this tutorial, including full transcripts, alt text & the ability to pause, slow down or speed up at will. (Like if you really want to learn this, I recommend using a platform that doesn’t keep your hands occupied. Thinking of putting this in all my captions these days tbh - shout out to you if you made it this far. 🙌🏻😂)
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#handsoccupied #learntoknit #continentalknitting #howtoknit #norwegianpurl #norwegianknitting #knit #knitting #knitter #knittersofinstagram #knittinghack  #handknitting #handknit #norwegianpurling
Have you ever tried this style of purl? . All thi Have you ever tried this style of purl? 
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All this recent talk about throwing vs. continental style knitting made it clear many people struggle with purling in continental knitting. Turns out that Norway may have the answer! In Norwegian purling, the working yarn stays tensioned at the back at all times, helping with speed and tension. 🤯
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Head to the bl0g (🔗 in bi0) for a more in-depth look at how to work a Norwegian purl stitch, including a photo tutorial with animated GIF & a video tutorial. Wrapping your mind around how to work a stitch you’re familiar with in a totally new way can be confusing, so I tried to give a few options for clarity. 🤙🏻 Video is also on You2be. 
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#handsoccupied #norwegianpurl #norwegianknitting #norwegianpurling #continentalknitting #howtoknit #learntoknit #knitterofinstagram #knitters
It’s been a hot second since I showed my face or It’s been a hot second since I showed my face or reintroduced myself, so here goes! I’m Heidi Gustad, a craft book author, pattern designer, and tutorial creator who specializes in yarn crafts. Lately, I’ve been focused on releasing quality knitting videos and related blog posts to help teach things like the difference between provisional cast ons and how to fix common knitting mistakes. Next week I’m shooting requested crochet and latch hook videos, so h👀kers, your time is coming! And if you ever have tutorial requests, please let me know. ☺️
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TLDR: I’m Heidi. I design & teach yarn crafts. You can find tutorials on my blog (est. 2010) & You2be. I also have several knitting & crochet patterns + a book about latch hook available. / All of these can be found on my website, the 🔗 is where you’d think. 
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#handsoccupied #fridayintroduction #heidigustad #knitting #knitter #knittersofinstagram #yarncrafts #latchhookbook
Are you a picker or a thrower? Do you knit Contine Are you a picker or a thrower? Do you knit Continental or English Style? Here’s a quick overview of the differences between the two most common knitting styles, including a side by side comparison. (A good one to save for future reference. 👍🏻) 
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There’s more on the differences between picking and throwing in my latest blog post & You 2ube video - the l1nk is where you’d think!
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#handsoccupied #learntoknit #knittingstyles #howtoknit #knittersofinstagram #knitter
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