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Hands Occupied

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

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12 Patterns to Help Stitch Away Stress

April 11, 2016 3 Comments

12 free knit and crochet patterns to help you stitch away stress.

images via sources below

Every once in awhile, you need a good old mindless knitting or crochet project. I know I do! Something to keep your hands busy and your mind off of life’s little stressors. I haven’t really talked about this much on Hands Occupied, but this blog did get its name for a reason. While I don’t believe anxiety is unique to any group of people, I do believe many in the yarn craft community love knitting and crochet so much because it helps us deal with stuff. For me, my anxiety manifests itself in a super strong need for control and an inability to stop whatever is stressing me out from playing on loop in my head 24/7. When I knit, crochet or do any kind of crafting, the train slows down, and often times, it can be stopped altogether. Not only is yarn crafting an art, but for me, it’s a healthy coping mechanism that keeps me sane.

That’s enough opening up for me for one day, so check out these easy-to-make patterns that are perfect for helping you stitch away stress. Also! April is the Craft Yarn Council’s Stitch Away Stress Month, so if you want to check out their video featuring some knitters’ and crocheters’ positive yarn craft experiences, you can find it here.

Chocolate Truffle Scarf by Twinkie Chan

Chocolate Truffle Scarf -twinkie chan

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 -hands occupied

Crochet Boot Toppers via Hello, Handy Heart

Boot Toppers -hello, handy heart

Beautyberry Blanket

Beautyberry Blanket -purl soho

Geometric Crochet Basket

Geometric Crochet Basket -persia lou

Get a free knitting pattern for an Outlander-inspired shawl, the Outlander Chevron Shawl from Hands Occupied

Outlander Chevron Shawl -hands occupied

Plait Hat by Karen Templer

Plait Hat -fringe association

A free crochet pattern & tutorial for granny square throw pillows!

Granny Square Throw Pillows -hands occupied

Toddler Rhino Hat

Rhino Hat -mama in a stitch

Granny Square Throw

Giant Granny Square Throw -makers society

Cabled Earwarmer Pattern

Cabled Ear Warmer -mom advice

Hedgehog Taggie Baby Toy

Hedgehog Taggie Baby Toy -one dog woof

Get your hands on these easy patterns to help you relax!

Filed Under: Crochet, Inspiration, Knitting, Knitting & Crochet Tagged With: baby toy, basket, blanket, boot toppers, crochet, free patterns, garter stitch, granny square, Knitting, scarf, shawl, stitch away stress

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. Sara A.

    April 11, 2016 at 8:08 pm

    I feel the same way about knitting. When my mother-in-law had a bad accident two summers ago, I started knitting a Multnomah shawl. When my cat took a bad turn this winter, I started an Elizabeth Zimmermann pi shawl. Conversely, sometimes working on something really complicated helps me more when I’m feeling anxious because it requires my full attention and I can emerge a pattern repeat later feeling calmer and more centered.

    Reply
    • Heidi

      April 12, 2016 at 6:29 pm

      I totally get that too! Thank you for your comment, by the way – I rarely get personal on this blog, so it’s nice to hear a response like yours! <3 - Heidi

      Reply
  2. Lynne

    April 16, 2016 at 2:35 pm

    Completely understand, Heidi. Low grade anxiety follows me through most days. I’ve gotten so I can nip panic attacks in the bud, because if I let them take hold, the resulting anxiety is miserable & sometimes lasts a long time. I learned to crochet watching a great aunt when I was 10 years old. Taught myself to knit years ago. Both help me cope & keep anxiety at bay…occupying my hands, my mind & ruminating thoughts. :-} We all need our escapes from a sometimes crazy world…reading, writing, crafting, music, nature…these are mine. I’m glad you found your comfy, cozy, calm niche too. Big hugs, hon!

    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
Wow! I am floored by the awesome response to the S Wow! I am floored by the awesome response to the Spiral Hill Sweater Vest. Thank you. 🙏🏻❤️ If you love this pattern & didn’t know already, we are going to be doing a knit along (KAL) from October 1-29 featuring this spooky sweater vest & lots of tutorials, especially for the intarsia part. 
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Later today my newsletter will be coming out with additional Knit Along details, so if you’re not already signed up, now is a great time - the 🔗 is in my b1o. 
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Pictured: My Spiral Hill Sweater Vest pattern from the new Nightmare Before Christmas knitting book by @tanisknits. Model is wearing size 1 with 2” of positive ease, knit in @brooklyntweed Imbue Worsted. Vest images via @insighteditions 
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#spiralhillsweatervest #handsoccupied #nightmarebeforechristmasknittingbook
At long last! I can share the Spiral Hill Sweater At long last! I can share the Spiral Hill Sweater Vest, my contribution to the new book Disney Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas: The Official Knitting Guide to Halloween Town and Christmas Town, out now! 🎃💀 
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I’m hosting a knit along (KAL) October 1-29 for anyone who’d like to knit this vest along with a group & learn a little about intarsia while we’re at it. I’ve got weekly tutorials planned to help you knit this worsted weight sweater vest, and there’s a prize package giveaway at the end for KAL participants too. Details are on my site - you know where to find the 🔗 I think. 😉
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Book by @tanisknits 
Publisher @insighteditions 
Yarn @brooklyntweed Imbue 
Find it wherever fine books are sold. 
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#handsoccupied #nightmarebeforechristmas #intarsia #sweatervest #knittingpattern #knittingbook #spiralhill #knitting_inspiration #knitting
Since there was some interest in stills of my WIPs Since there was some interest in stills of my WIPs closet after this weekend’s quick tutorial, here are few. ✂️ The tutorial is one post back in my feed as a video.
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As you can see, I didn’t worry about the wire hangers all being perfectly uniform, but it doesn’t matter to me. Also, this closet holds a lot! Despite that, it is already at capacity. Since the hanging bags don’t appear to be recyclable, I want to reuse them as long as possible. Who knows, maybe this will be a way to limit my WIPs? 😅
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P.s. In the third photo you can see how I use this system to store the original swatches, scraps, yarn ball bands, & notes from a design project all together. 
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#handsoccupied #wips #craftstorage #yarnstorage #yarncrafts #knitting_inspiration #craftstudio #craftroom #craftcloset
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
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