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Hands Occupied

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

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cotton yarn

If you're looking for a baby knitting idea that isn't your standard blanket or sweater, this quick-to-make set of stuffed knit toys is just the ticket. Get the free knitting patterns on the Hands Occupied Blog.

Moon & Star Softies – Free Knitting Pattern

July 31, 2020 Leave a Comment

If you’re looking for a baby knitting idea that isn’t your standard blanket or sweater, this quick-to-make set of stuffed knit toys is just the ticket!

Cotton Fleece Yarn from Brown Sheep Company is versatile and durable with an 80/20 mix of cotton and wool. Great for baby knitting and crochet projects, dish cloths, and more!

Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece Yarn Review & Giveaway

July 9, 2019 2 Comments

Cotton Fleece Yarn from Brown Sheep Company is versatile and durable with an 80/20 mix of cotton and wool. Learn more and enter to win two skeins!

Who doesn't love an easy-to-knit, versatile pattern? The Wherever Wrap is a fun colorblock piece knit with a simple lace motif. Get the free knitting pattern by designer Heidi Gustad.

Wherever Wrap – Free Knitting Pattern

July 17, 2018 4 Comments

Who doesn’t love an easy-to-knit, versatile pattern? The Wherever Wrap is a fun colorblock piece knit in simple lace. Worked on the bias with a zig zag effect, this wrap’s unique shape opens up cool possibilities for styling with your favorite summer outfit or on the beach.

Learn all about Paintbox Cotton DK yarn, a lightweight cotton that comes in 50g skeins, making it super baby project colorwork-friendly. Learn more and enter to win 2 skeins to try for yourself!

Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK Review & Giveaway

June 26, 2018 Leave a Comment

Learn all about Paintbox Cotton DK yarn, a lightweight cotton that comes in 50g skeins, making it super baby project colorwork-friendly. Learn more and enter to win 2 skeins to try for yourself!

Staggered Holes Baby Blanket Knitting Pattern at Hands Occupied

Staggered Holes Baby Blanket Knitting Pattern

February 3, 2014 43 Comments

I have about 15 friends and relatives who have recently had babies or are currently pregnant. It’s SO MANY ladies, you guys! While all of this baby news is super exciting, it can be a bit of a burden when you try to knit blankets for that many babies. The pattern I’m sharing today is one I came up with for two of the blankets I’ve gifted so far. It’s easy and is good even for beginner knitters. The only things you need to know how to do beyond casting on & off and knit & purl is how to knit 2 together and yarn over.

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

Heidi Gustad 🧶✂️
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
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! 🪛 
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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? 
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#craftorganization #handsoccupied #latchhook #latchhooking
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