• 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
    • YouTube

blogging

Heidi Gustad from Hands Occupied holds up a pair of wooden knitting needles. She's wearing a t-shirt that reads "Midwest Crafter."

Hands Occupied, 11 years on 😳

September 16, 2021 6 Comments

A look back on 11 years of Hands Occupied, and a look ahead at what’s to come.

Happy 10th Birthday, Hands Occupied!

September 21, 2020 4 Comments

It’s hard to believe it, but it’s been TEN years since the first blog post went live on Hands Occupied. Read a little about the Hands Occupied timeline, the latest Latch Hook book news, and some surprise updates coming later this week!

Spring Meadow Scarf Knit Along - Hands Occupied for All Free Knitting

The Hands Occupied Story

February 8, 2018 11 Comments

A pretty thorough reflection on how the heck Hands Occupied came about and why. Suffice it to say, none of this was planned.

The Hat Hat | Hands Occupied

Big Changes!

September 6, 2016 17 Comments

After much deliberation, I recently decided that I’m ready to move on from Librarianship. It’s officially official – Friday was my last day of working as a Librarian. Learn about what that means for Hands Occupied in today’s post!

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

A look back at 2015 & what’s in store for 2016

January 5, 2016 2 Comments

Let’s start 2016 by taking a look back how I did with my 2015 goals, and then we can look at the year ahead and what I’ve got in store for all you yarn lovers!

Reader Survey Results (& Giveaway Winners!) at handsoccupied.com

Reader Survey Results (& Giveaway Winners!)

July 22, 2014 1 Comment

Thank you so so much to everyone who completed the Reader Survey this year! It’s clear that I’ve got a bunch of knitters and crocheters on my hands these days, and you guys want patterns, tips, knit alongs and crochet ideas. Don’t worry, non-needlers, I will still be doing other DIYs! I do need some time, after all, to develop new patterns and knit or crochet them up.

Hands Occupied 2014 Reader Survey (& a giveaway!) - handsoccupied.com

Hands Occupied 2014 Reader Survey (& a giveaway!)

July 1, 2014 6 Comments

It’s been a little over a year since I did my first reader survey for Hands Occupied. I learned so much and I helped me know a little bit about what direction you’d like to see this blog go in. Thanks in part to that survey and your continued feedback in the comments (which is amazing!), a lot’s changed since May 2013. So now, 14 months later, I’ve got a survey for you to see what you’d like to see more (or less) (or WAY more) of from me and from Hands Occupied.

Weekly Reader 02.07.14 | Hands Occupied

Weekly Reader

February 7, 2014 Leave a Comment

The Olympics start today! And Valentine’s Day is in one week! I am seriously more excited about this crafting season than most Christmases. Especially now that, while often resulting in adorable party crafts, football time is over. This year, I’m seeing so much lovely pink and grey in DIY projects. It’s pretty and feminine in an elegant way. I’ll always be team red, since it’s my favorite color, but I’m really swooning for what my fellow bloggers are designing right now. Here are some of my faves.

Beautiful Wandawega at HandsOccupied.com

Beautiful Wandawega

June 13, 2013 Leave a Comment

Camp Wandawega through my eyes, including lots of fantastic vintage crafts.

  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to Next Page »

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.

UPDATES BY EMAIL

Monthly highlights sent to your inbox.

Find Me Elsewhere, If You’re There

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

Footer

INSTAGRAM

handsoccupied

Craft book author & pattern designer ❤️💛💙
knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé
.
Please email for pattern support. 🧶

Heidi Gustad 🧶✂️
How to do a one-step provisional knitting cast on How to do a one-step provisional knitting cast on / a.k.a. crochet provisional cast on, scrap yarn cast on
.
I read recently that tiktok and Instagram are being used as search engines more and more. 🤔 I thought since I’m going to all the work of making tutorials on YouTube, I should experiment with making a quick version of them for other platforms. There are obvious teaching limitations to vertical video, short-form content like this, but I think I covered the gist of this cast on in a minute. The YouTube version also covers how to unzip this cast on because there was time for it 👍🏻 L1nk is in my profile. 
.
I’m very much looking for feedback as I continue to make instructional knitting & craft videos. Sometimes good tutorials are hard to find, and (ideally polite) feedback helps me improve. 
.

#handsoccupied #provisionalcaston #knitting #knititngtutorial #knittersofinstagram #crochethook #knittingtutorial
For the first time in a long time, there’s a new For the first time in a long time, there’s a new tutorial from Hands Occupied! 🎉 The video is live on YouTube & the blog. 
.
The post covers what provisional cast ons are & how they differ, and the video covers how to work a one-step provisional cast on using scrap yarn and a crochet hook. (This is a great one to save for future reference.)
.
I learned several names for this method while researching this video & post. Crochet provisional cast on, one-step cast on, scrap yarn cast on - if you know even more names for this technique, please share! 
.
#handsoccupied #provisionalcaston #knitting #scrapyarn #crochethook
Working on a sample for some upcoming videos. It’s an overcast day with intermittent sunshine & I have a scruffy little sidecar. 🐶 Can’t complain! 
.
What’s on your needles this week? 
.
Yarn: @debbieblissknits Cashmerino Aran 
.
#handsoccupied #knitting #knittinglife
Peg boards and craft room organization go together Peg boards and craft room organization go together like peanut butter and jelly. So, as you can see, do latch hook tools and screwdriver organizers! 🪛 
.
I think this trick translates to any tool with a thick handle, so leather working tools, punch needles, print making tools, etc. should work! What other tools am I, a needlecrafter, blanking on right now? 
.
#craftorganization #handsoccupied #latchhook #latchhooking
Pegboard storage is my favorite for craft supplies Pegboard storage is my favorite for craft supplies, so getting a few hung in my new studio has been a priority. Here’s my first attempt. 🔨 
.
Details: This pegboard panel is for organizing my knitting needles, latch hook tools, sewing thread, etc. It doesn’t need to hold much weight, so I didn’t anchor this into a stud - just used basic drywall anchors. I’ve also got a set of two 2’x4’ panels for another spot in my studio, and those will need a stud/more than 3 drywall anchors. Wish me luck! 
.
[description: video features a woman hanging a panel of pegboard using a square dowel and drill]
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