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Hands Occupied

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

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bijou basin ranch

Lhasa Wilderness yarn from Bijou Basin Ranch is a yak & bamboo blend yarn that is breathtakingly soft. An absolute pleasure to work with, this yarn is ideal for shawls, hats, mittens and other items worn close to the skin.

Lhasa Wilderness Yarn Review & Giveaway

March 26, 2019 2 Comments

Lhasa Wilderness yarn from Bijou Basin Ranch is a 75% yak/25% bamboo blend yarn that is breathtakingly soft. An absolute pleasure to work with, Lhasa Wilderness yarn is ideal for shawls, hats, mittens and other items worn close to the skin. Learn more about this beautiful yarn and enter to win a skein!

Shangri-La is a yarn made with a lovely combination of yak and silk fibers, offering knitters and crocheters a treat to make with. Learn more and enter to win a skein of Bijou Basin Ranch's Shangri-La yarn to spoil your stash!

Bijou Basin Ranch Shangri-La Yarn Review & Giveaway

October 17, 2018 2 Comments

Shangri-La is a yarn made with a lovely combination of yak and silk fibers, offering knitters and crocheters a treat to make with. Learn more and enter to win a skein of Bijou Basin Ranch’s Shangri-La yarn to spoil your stash!

Have you ever tried yak yarn? Check out the specs on a 50% yak/50% wool yarn from Bijou Basin Ranch and enter for your chance to win a skein!

Bijou Basin Ranch Himalayan Summit Review & Giveaway

December 20, 2017 2 Comments

The final yarn review & giveaway of the year is Bijou Basin Ranch’s Himalayan Summit yarn, a lovely 50% Tibetan yak/50% superfine merino wool blend.

Don't let your favorite scraps go to waste! Crochet the free Scrap Scallops Scarf to elegantly showcase your favorite yarns. Visit handsoccupied.com for the free pattern.

Scrap Scallops Scarf – Free Crochet Pattern

November 15, 2017 7 Comments

This uber-feminine crochet scarf is a great way to make use of your finest scrap yarns. Not only that, it’s elegant and doesn’t take a zillion years to make, which makes it perfect for gifting.

The Bijou Basin Ranch yaks enjoy some hay! - Take a look inside the yaks' lives in this mini documentary.

Throwback Thursday: Bijou Basin Ranch

June 23, 2016 Leave a Comment

Who knew you could make such gorgeous things with yak yarn?

Sponsor Spotlight - May 2016, Hands Occupied

Sponsor Spotlight

May 25, 2016 Leave a Comment

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!

April Sponsor Spotlight at Hands Occupied

Sponsor Spotlight

April 21, 2016 Leave a Comment

Once again, we welcome Bijou Basin Ranch and Feel Good Yarn Company as sponsors this month, and I’m not mad about it.

March Sponsor Spotlight at Hands Occupied

Sponsor Spotlight

March 24, 2016 Leave a Comment

I’m so excited to have two favorite yarn companies as our sponsors this month! Each company makes yarns that feature special ingredients: Bijou Basin Ranch uses yak fiber in many of their yarns, and Feel Good Yarn Co. uses pure silver. Let’s take a closer look!

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

Get to know Bijou Basin Ranch + A Giveaway!

February 18, 2016 4 Comments

Get to know Bijou Basin Ranch and enter to win a skein of 100% cashmere yarn!

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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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