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Hands Occupied

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

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I got this wild idea to make a giant pom pom costume using latch hook, so I gave it a go for Halloween. Take a closer look at this three dimensional rug-making project and its construction.

Attempting a Giant Pom Pom Costume

October 31, 2019 4 Comments

I got this wild idea to make a giant pom pom costume using latch hook, so I gave it a go for Halloween. Take a closer look at this three dimensional rug-making project and its construction.

50 Back to School DIYs at handsoccupied.com

50 Back to School DIYs

August 20, 2014 3 Comments

It’s that time of year, dudes. Every other ad you see is for juniors’ clothes at the department store, backpacks on sale at the other store, and every other craft is pencil or apple related. I don’t mind, though. As a librarian, I’ve always appreciated the bookish things in life, so here are 50 of my favorite back to school DIYs from around the internet.

How to Make Fabric Yarn at handsoccupied.com

How to Make Fabric Yarn

July 7, 2014 29 Comments

A couple weeks ago, I shared how to make yarn from an old t-shirt, and based on the number of times I’ve seen it pinned, you guys were into it. The thing with t-shirt yarn is that one t-shirt doesn’t yield all that much yarn. I mean, the cross-body phone case pattern I shared took most of one t-shirt’s worth of yarn to make. But what about when you’re thinking about projects on a larger scale? That’s when I recommend you try your hands at making fabric (a.k.a. jersey) yarn. It’s super easy, and if you get your hands on a set of jersey sheets at the thrift store, you can upcycle that into yarn using the same technique I’m about to share. It’s so easy and the effect fabric yarn has on knit and crochet projects is something I’m LOVING right now!

Knitting & Crochet Picks of the Week at handsoccupied.com

Weekly Reader

July 4, 2014 Leave a Comment

Happy Fourth of July, American readers! And happy Friday, everyone everywhere else! :) I’m spending America’s birthday at home with family in North Dakota, where the fireworks over the prairie are amazing. I can’t wait to share a little bit next week about the HOT (you read that right!), summer side of Fargo you don’t get to see in the media and let you guys get to know me a little better. After all, the lovely folks who have responded to the currently-live reader survey so far are saying they want to get to know yours truly a little better.

25 American DIYs at handsoccupied.com

25 American DIYs

July 2, 2014 1 Comment

The Fourth of July is nearly here, folks! Get ready with my 25 favorite tutorials for celebrating America. This list is complete with DIY style ideas, snacks, picnic & cookout accessories, piñatas, home décor, and more!

Twinkle in Your Eye Sunglasses at handsoccupied.com

Twinkle in Your Eye Sunglasses

June 30, 2014 Leave a Comment

This DIY is so simple, easy and fun, you might just be tempted to make five pairs for yourself and one for each of your friends. Inspired by the glint in a hollywood cartoon smile and the twinkle in a mischievous eye, these cheeky sunglasses will add a pinch of fun flair to your summer wardrobe!

Creative Inspiration via handsoccupied.com

Inspire

June 10, 2014 1 Comment

It’s my birthday! That seems like a great occasion to share what’s inspiring me this month, making me smile, things I find exciting. I’ve got everything from baby programming to weddings to Orange is the New Black this go around. For real, check all of these out. It’s my birthday, and they make me happy. :)

DIY Summer Reading Log for Grown-ups at handsoccupied.com

Reading Rainbow & DIY Summer Reading Log for Grown-Ups

June 2, 2014 6 Comments

Last week’s Reading Rainbow Kickstarter launch made quite the splash. It ushered my beloved childhood TV show back into the zeitgeist, and apparently, into my creative brain. Between that and the imminent start of summer reading, I have got books on the brain!

Paper Wedding Crafts with Lia Griffith via www.handsoccupied.com. Visit post to win one of TWO, 3-month Creativebug membership giveaway & a coupon code for all!

Attention, DIY Brides & Handmade Hostesses!

May 27, 2014 4 Comments

(Giveaway alert! Click through to the full post to enter.) My bridal party career began at the age of 6, as my aunt’s flower girl. I also played my oboe for a cousin’s walk down the aisle, did a reading at her sister’s, and was a bride myself three years ago. In a few short weeks, I’ll finally round out my wedding resume as a bridesmaid for my sister-in-law. I’m excited! My dress is cute, but nothing will compare to my 1993 flower girl attire…

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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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Weekend knitting design aftermath. Remember kids, Weekend knitting design aftermath. Remember kids, it’s always good to stop, swatch and block it. 🧶
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#stopswatchandblockit #handsoccupied
Learn how to do the magic loop method for knitting Learn how to do the magic loop method for knitting in the round in 90 seconds. / Using the magic loop allows knitters to work in the round with a single, long circular needle at a range of circumferences. 
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For a longer, full-width & more detailed overview of magic loop knitting, check out my u2be & b1og, the 🔗🔗 are where you’d think. 🧶
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#handsoccupied #magicloop #knitting #howtoknit #learntoknit #knitter #knittinginspiration #knittinginstagram #knittingintheround
Since it won’t be clean for long, swipe to see w Since it won’t be clean for long, swipe to see what my home studio looks like these days. Nothing will ever quite be like the old Hands Occupied Studio, but I’m pretty pleased with how I shoehorned everything in this space. Function over form + a layer of yarn cuteness-meets-chaos is how I’d describe my creative space needs. 😆 When I was still renting the studio, those needs included “doesn’t rain suspicious brown water from a crack in the ceiling for a year,” so this is an improvement! 😆
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For a time lapse of the studio organizing and tszuj-ing process, scroll down a couple posts on my feed. (There’s also a video or two featuring the old studio if you’re curious.) Happy June, friends! 
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#handsoccupied #handsoccupiedstudio #knitdesigner #craftdesign #yarncrafts #latchhook #makerlife #heidigustad #chicagocrafter
Who doesn’t love magic loop knitting? Who doesn’t know what it is? How about when circular needles were invented?
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In todays new bl0g post + video tutorial, you’ll learn about the magic loop method for knitting in the round, how to do it and why to use it, and when it came to be. The 🔗 is in my b1o. 🧶 
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#handsoccupied #magicloop #knitting #howtoknit #knittinginspiration #knittingintheround
Finally organizing & putting the finishing touches Finally organizing & putting the finishing touches on my home studio. After losing my studio space last fall, it’s feels really great to *occupy* this new space all the way. 😉
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I started by removing general clutter & returning straggler supplies from various WIPs, videos & design deadlines to their homes. Next, I hung a third peg board in the space - this one is mostly for display and less for organizing tools or projects. For the first time ever, I’m displaying projects from my book, plus a couple other faves. (The best thing about designing more yarn crafts besides knit & crochet is that I have some really fun -and delightfully pettable 😆- samples around.) I finished by adding a square dowel to my small supply storage tower to keep it from tipping over, plus re-arranging and de-cluttering the closet. 
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This cleaner space already has me feeling so much more creative and less overwhelmed. Now to find a safe spot in the basement for the tower of project samples in Rubbermaid tubs I liberated from my WIPs closet. Also why are there five?! 
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Here’s to keeping it clean for a few weeks! 🧶 
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#handsocupied #handsoccupiedstudio #craftroom #craftroomorganization #craftroomstorage #yarncraft #knitter #crocheter #latchhook #latchhookbook
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