• 0 items$0.00
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Hands Occupied

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

  • BLOG
    • Knitting
    • Crochet
    • Latch Hook
    • Macramé
    • Punch Needle
  • ABOUT
  • Shop
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • TikTok
    • YouTube

Summer Reading for Makers

August 2, 2022 1 Comment

Three making related books sit in a pile on a blue background.

Long time readers will recall that before I was working as a craft Designer, I was a Librarian. You might also recall that in the past, I would combine my love of crafting and librarianship to share book, tv show & movie recommendations, highlighting titles that feature making in some way or are otherwise explicitly crafting books. I’ve been taking some time away from the blog, but once I realized I had THREE fresh book picks for you, clearly it was time to start sharing recommendations again. I enjoy getting to hear about new books and sharing them with you all, particularly when I have an extra copy of one of the books to give away!

(Entry details for the book giveaway are at the bottom of this post.)

To Make by Danielle Davis with pictures by Mags DeRoma

A copy of To Make by Danielle Davis

Review copy provided by Katherine Tegen Books.

To Make is Davis’ first picture book, coming on the heels of a crafting-related middle-grade novel, Zinnia and the Bees (another great crafty pick). As a Librarian, I worked primarily with younger adults and teens, so picture book reviews always felt challenging to me. However, I can tell you recommending this particular title is easy. I could look at the beautiful illustrations in To Make all day! That combined with heartfelt messages about patience and the value of making things from one’s own perspective really got me. Highly recommend.

P.S. Even if picture books aren’t your thing, it’s the ideal gift for childless maker aunties like me to give early elementary age kids along with a big jar of messy craft supplies… 😉

Knitstrips by Alice Ormsbee Beltran and Karen Kim Mar

Knitstrips by Alice Ormsbee Beltran and Karen Kim Mar

Giveaway copy provided by Abrams. I’d coincidentally purchased my copy before connecting with them.

Knitstrips feels like the beginner knitting book I needed as a middle schooler. Here’s how the book flap describes the concept behind Knitstrips:

“Dive into four themed ‘comic books’ unlike any knitting book you have ever seen: OMJON (One More, Just One More) explores knits that you never want to end. Focus Pocus celebrates clever techniques that deliver big results. STASH (Skeins That Are Special and Here) offers a bevy of patterns designed with yarn treasures in mind. Finally, Bucket List present knits-of-a-lifetime. All use a unique approach called Interactive Knitting, or IK, that lets knitters knit it their way, in their size, with any yarn. Everyone is welcome, so come on in!”

An interior shot of Knitstrips by Alice Ormsbee Beltran and Karen Kim Mar

This book offers folks interested in knitting a chance to learn about the craft from square one, in an illustrated format. Knitstrips uses a unique approach to pattern writing. My critique of their approach to pattern writing is this: if you learn to knit from Knitstrips alone, you’ll be able to knit the 21 patterns that are provided in its unique comic book format, but transitioning to working with traditional knitting patterns could be challenging down the road. (Honestly, though, I don’t think it will be that hard if you’ve knocked out this book’s 20+ knitting projects by then.)

I have a few favorite things about Knitstrips. First and foremost, this book presents diverse faces, designers, and designs which is refreshing and important to see. It also gives square one knitters a single source from which they can learn to knit, no private lessons with crafty acquaintances or constantly referencing YouTube videos required. There are 21 patterns plus a bonus pattern in this book, plus little as-needed tutorials and tricks including illustrations sprinkled among the patterns to help you learn new techniques.

An interior shot of Knitstrips by Alice Ormsbee Beltran and Karen Kim Mar

I love that this book exists. I have vivid memories of learning to knit from one lesson at age 8 with my grandma, and then crying as I had only vague written instructional materials and memories to work from afterward. I couldn’t turn to YouTube to remember anything or learn more when I was ready (it was North Dakota in the ’90s, pals), and I was lucky enough to have had my grandma teach me a little. This book can help you learn to knit on your own, and I think that’s incredibly valuable.

This Long Thread by Jen Hewett

This Long Thread by Jen Hewett

Review copy provided by Roost Books/Penguin Random House.

A little more about the book from the publisher:

“In early 2019, the craft community experienced a reckoning when crafters of color began sharing personal stories about exclusion and racial injustice in their field, pointing out the inequity and lack of visible diversity within the crafting world. Author Jen Hewett, who is one of a few prominent women of color in the fiber crafts community, now brings together this book as a direct response to the need to highlight the diverse voices of artists working in fiber arts and crafts.

Weaving together interviews, first-person essays, and artist profiles, This Long Thread explores the work and contributions of people of color across the fiber arts and crafts community, representing a wide spectrum of race, age, region, cultural identity, education, and economic class. These conversations explore techniques and materials, belonging, identity, pride of place, cultural misappropriation, privilege, the value (or undervaluing) of craft, community support structures, recognition or exclusion, intergenerational dialogue, and much more.

Be inspired by the work and stories of innovative people of color who are making exceptional contributions to the world of craft. The diverse range of textile artists and craftspeople featured include knitters, quilters, sewers, weavers, and more who are making inspiring and innovative work, yet who are often overlooked by mainstream media.”

Some of the illustrations from This Long Thread by Jen Hewett

Obviously out of the three books featured today, this is my pick for adults. The stories of how professional and hobby makers came to their craft are inspiring. The maker origin stories I’m most familiar with tend to mirror my own or feature individuals who look like me. It’s important to read firsthand accounts from folks in your creative community who have had different experiences than yourself, and this book offers that in depth.

As a professional maker, I think what stood out to me were the journeys professionals took to make making their jobs. Some folks attended formal art school programs, others worked their way up, job by job and connection by connection. It was necessary for some to learn a craft to contribute to a family business at an early age to help ends meet. It’s endlessly interesting to see where our experiences overlap, differ, and sometimes combine to create the modern maker.

Overall, This Long Thread is a must-read for me. It introduces readers to wonderful personal stories of making, as well as makers and craft mediums they may not have known before. Bonus: This book is great for reading in chunks if attention span isn’t your strong suit these days.

Summer Reading for Makers: 3 Fresh Picks for Your Reading List

Enter to win a copy of Knitstrips!

You don’t have to take my word for it – enter to win a copy of Knitstrips to read for yourself. Giveaway is open to U.S. only. Enter in the box provided below or here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Opinions are my own, review copies provided by publishers.

Filed Under: Book Reviews, Giveaways, Reviews & Sponsored Tagged With: book review, danielle davis, giveaway, jen hewett, knitstrips, this long thread, to make

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.

Previous Post: « 2022 Mood Board / What is a mood board in knitting?
Next Post: A Farewell to the Studio Space, but Not Hands Occupied »

Reader Interactions

DID YOU LIKE THIS POST?
Visit similar articles...

  • Book Review & Giveaway | Washi WonderfulBook Review & Giveaway | Washi Wonderful
  • High Desert Yarn Review & GiveawayHigh Desert Yarn Review & Giveaway
  • Brown Sheep Stratosphere Yarn Review & GiveawayBrown Sheep Stratosphere Yarn Review & Giveaway
  • Manos del Uruguay Alma Review & GiveawayManos del Uruguay Alma Review & Giveaway

DON’T MISS ANOTHER UPDATE

Comments

  1. Laura

    August 2, 2022 at 4:16 pm

    I’m absolutely picking up a copy of The Long Thread! Sounds like a fantastic read that I can slowly process.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

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.

EMAIL NEWSLETTER

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

Find Me on Social Media

  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • TikTok
  • YouTube
Latch Hook by Heidi GustadDiscover Unique Items

Footer

INSTAGRAM

handsoccupied

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

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. 🧶 
.
Have a good weekend, everyone! 
.
Yarn: @universal_yarn’s Fibra Natura Cobblestone in Antarctica & Dragon’s Breath 
.
#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. 
.
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.
.
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. 🙌🏻😂)
.
#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? 
.
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. 🤯
. 
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. 
.
#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. ☺️
. 
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. 
.
#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. 👍🏻) 
.
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!
.
#handsoccupied #learntoknit #knittingstyles #howtoknit #knittersofinstagram #knitter
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2023 / Foodie Pro Theme On Genesis Framework / Branding by Ink + Mortar
All Site & Shop Policies / Privacy Policy / Cookie Policy