• 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
    • TikTok
    • YouTube

diy

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…

  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to page 3
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Go to page 25
  • 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), and I’ve been helping yarn crafters untangle various techniques on the internet since 2010. I got my start here, as a blogger, and since then I’ve shared more than a few tutorials here and on YouTube as I’ve grown as a pattern designer. 🧶 

learn more / work with me

Find Me on Social Media

  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • TikTok
  • YouTube
Latch Hook by Heidi Gustad

Footer

INSTAGRAM

handsoccupied

Knitting & yarn crafts designer helping makers untangle various techniques with a blog & YouTube channel
.
Stay up-to-date 💌 & shop new patterns ⤵️

Heidi Gustad 🧶 knitting & yarn crafts
Stitching around the Christmas tree 🧶 . Working Stitching around the Christmas tree 🧶
.
Working on a new sample of an old sweater today, and I can confirm: a tree makes a pretty decent yarn holder. 
.
Yarn: @eweeweyarns Ewe So Sporty in Orange Peel
.
#handsoccupied #eweeweyarns #orangeyarn #knitting #wip #knitters #knittersofinstagram
Meet Yarn Citizen, a new line of sustainably sourc Meet Yarn Citizen, a new line of sustainably sourced and affordably priced yarn from Jimmy Beans Wool. Enter to win a kit featuring this yarn in the November yarn review & giveaway on the bl0g!
.
Yarn: @jimmybeanswool Yarn Citizen Harmony Worsted
.
Review & entry form 🔗 are where you’d think. 😉 
.
#handsoccupied #yarncitizen #yarncitizenharmonyworsted #yarnreview #knitting #knitter #knitinspiration
Happy with how the mini Nightmare Before Christmas Happy with how the mini Nightmare Before Christmas sweater vest turned out! Now my dog and I can go on walks in matching seasonal fits 😂
.
1. I knit this bottom up with scraps and ran out of black yarn. If the vest consistently drifts down her chest upon wear, I might extend the collar or redo the chest panel at a smaller size. If you’ve read this far, what do you think? As a designer, I so rarely get to improvise a knitting project, and I’m having fun working with fewer rules than usual. 🧶
.
2. June has a grooming appointment this weekend. She’s currently the mayor of scruff town, I know. 🫡
.
Pattern: Chart is from the Spiral Hill Sweater Vest pattern by yours truly in the official Nightmare Before Christmas knitting book 
Yarn: @brooklyntweed Imbue Worsted
.
#spiralhillsweatervest #spiralhillsweatervestkal #handsoccupied #intarsia #intarsiaknitting #nightmarebeforechristmasknittingbook #dogknit #knitsfordogs #handmade #brooklyntweed
I finished June’s doggie version of the Spiral H I finished June’s doggie version of the Spiral Hill Sweater Vest & it’s so cute! 🥰
.
Do you think June appreciates the fact that she now has a sweater made with @brooklyntweed yarn? 😂 
.
#handsoccupied #dogsweater #dogjumper #intarsia #intarsiaknitting #spiralhillsweatervest #spiralhillsweatervestkal #handmade #brooklyntweedimbue #brooklyntweed
Squeezing in some stitching on a selfish sweater t Squeezing in some stitching on a selfish sweater this Saturday morning 😋
.
Pattern: Fruit Stripe Pullover with some intarsia mods on the front panel 
Designed by Rachel Brockman for @universal_yarn 
Yarn: Fibra Natura Cobblestone in Dragon’s Breath & Antarctica 🧶
.
#handsoccupied #knitting #weekendknitting #sweaterknitting #universalyarn #fibranaturacobblestone
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