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Hands Occupied

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

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cardigan

Things to Knit - April 2019 on Hands Occupied

Things to Knit

April 16, 2019 Leave a Comment

There have been so many beautiful patterns coming out this spring – will one of these finds be on your to-make list?

Looking for something new to knit? These early fall patterns are to die for!

Things to Knit

July 20, 2016 Leave a Comment

Looking for something new to knit? These early fall patterns are to die for!

10 inspiring knitting patterns to tuck in with for autumn!

Things to Knit

September 28, 2015 1 Comment

This is the best time of the year to find knitting inspiration. The season has just begun and there are so many ways to experiment with transitional weather garments in the form of lighter weight items, layering pieces, and hand warmers.

10 of the most inspiring knitting patterns to kickstart your fall knitting!

Things to Knit

August 24, 2015 Leave a Comment

It’s hard to believe the last month of summer is winding down already! The great thing about being a knitter, though, is that the drop in temperatures and shortened days means knitting season is here. I know some knitters who only like to knit when it’s cold out, specifically around the winter holidays in many…

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Picks of the Week for August 7, 2015 | Hands Occupied

Picks of the Week

August 7, 2015 Leave a Comment

It’s so fascinating to assemble my weekly picks every Friday and see what trends intersect – seeing them in collage like this often reveals trends I hadn’t even realized I kept seeing.

Style this DIY: Ruler Clutch | Hands Occupied

Style this DIY: Ruler Clutch

August 8, 2013 Leave a Comment

I am living for this outfit that incorporates a DIY ruler clutch purse, which is likely the most bookish getup of all time.

How-to: Crab Grabby Sweater Chain at HandsOccupied.com

How-to: Crab Grabby Sweater Chain

June 17, 2013 4 Comments

Make a vintage-inspired sweater chain to help keep your cardi in line.

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

Heidi Gustad 🧶✂️
When you have four big skeins of pretty 2 ply yarn When you have four big skeins of pretty 2 ply yarn, you immediately think sweater, right? 
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My wardrobe could use another handmade sweater - I’m thinking something simple, seamed and with a decent amount of ease for potentially wearing tucked in with jeans or skirts. 🤔 
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Yarn: @universal_yarn Fibra Natura Cobblestone in Antarctica and Dragon’s Breath, wound in thick skeins of 100% superwash wool that’s a light DK weight.
How to to knit throwing (a.k.a. English) style . How to to knit throwing (a.k.a. English) style 
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In knitting, there are a few common knitting styles. Most often you’re going to encounter continental style and English (throwing) style on your knitting journey. I recently had an old video teaching continental style get a lot of views. Based on the comments, it was clear the people wanted to also see a throwing tutorial, so here you go! 🧶
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Please note that there is a LOT of variation in knitting styles, and one isn’t necessarily better than another. Most often, I’ve found it comes down to two things: how you were taught and whether or not you’re really into colorwork knitting (which can involve a mix of styles). 
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Longer-term knitters who’ve made it this far: do you prefer one over the other? And why? 
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#handsoccupied #englishknitting #learntoknit #knitting #howtoknit #knittersofinstagram #knitting_inspiration
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
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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. 
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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. 
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#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. 
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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.)
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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! 
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#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! 
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What’s on your needles this week? 
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Yarn: @debbieblissknits Cashmerino Aran 
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#handsoccupied #knitting #knittinglife
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