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Hands Occupied

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

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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.

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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

Yarn craft designer & author. Into intarsia knits, latch hook, color & vintage-modern style.
❤️ Email for pattern support
👇🏻 Book, Patterns, Tutorials

Heidi Gustad 🧶✂️
If you look closely, you’ll see I’m casually k If you look closely, you’ll see I’m casually knitting from one sweater into another here, no big deal. (What can I say, I lost a game of yarn chicken. 😂) I almost didn’t post this because I was worried someone might have some nonsense to say about my ability to knit. Then I remembered I can’t care about that. Silly me, I almost forgot myself! 
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Speaking of which, dang it’s good to have my mental health back consistently after the past couple of years. The anxious parts of my personality are just chilling, rather than constantly screaming that my work isn’t good enough to share. The confident parts of me that matter have me creating (and starting to share my creations & process with strangers and friends) again! 
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Anybody else feel like they are beginning to return to themselves, so to speak, this spring?
I’m feeling better, & all my [big, bad bug] proj I’m feeling better, & all my [big, bad bug] project needs is a couple of short sleeves! I’ll be finishing this sweater *just* before it gets too warm to wear, but isn’t that always how it goes? 🫠🧶 
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#knittersofinstagram #soldotnacrop #handsoccupied #knitincolor #springknitting
Just divided the sleeves on this quick sweater, wh Just divided the sleeves on this quick sweater, which has unsurprisingly turned into a love letter to primary colors. ❤️💛💙 The heart stripe is a wee tweak I incorporated, and I don’t regret it! 
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 #handsoccupied #soldotnacrop #strandedcolorwork #knitting #yokesweater
I am unfortunately home bound for the near future I am unfortunately home bound for the near future thanks to the big, bad bug. So far I’ve knit half a sweater, consumed about a gallon of ginger tea, & plowed through 3 seasons of Pit Bulls and Parolees. 
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June doesn’t understand why I’m suddenly so boring, but she seems to like watching animal planet. 🤷🏼‍♀️
A bit of Saturday swatching. 🧶 I am working in A bit of Saturday swatching. 🧶 I am working in greyscale today to practice designing “without color”. Kinda cool, kinda weird. We’ll see if it yields anything interesting! 😆
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#intarsia #intarsiaknitting #stopswatchandblockit #handsoccupied #knittersofinstagram
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