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Hands Occupied

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

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embroidery

Click through for a Quilted Flower Tote tutorial and intro to English paper piecing. Fun, portable and easy!

Quilted Flower Tote & English Paper Piecing

May 11, 2015 6 Comments

English paper piecing is a method of hand quilting accomplished by sewing bits of fabric around cut out pieces of paper, and then sewing those together to form a quilt. Since I wish there was a little more fabric in my crafty life, today’s tutorial is an intro to the basics of English paper piecing and how to make a flower applique for jazzing up a tote bag.

West Coast Love Book Review | Hands Occupied

West Coast Love & A free pattern!

February 25, 2015 1 Comment

Check out a super fun new book featuring 20 embroidery designs inspired by the west coast!

Weekly Reader 03.28.14 | Hands Occupied

Weekly Reader

March 28, 2014 Leave a Comment

I’ll be spending this weekend on a trip, hopefully getting some much-needed R&R, and maybe sneaking in a bit of knitting & crochet while I’m at it. I’ve got a couple of ideas in the works for some springier patterns, and I really want to get a sock knit along going! Anybody out there got tips for how to host the chillest, yet most interesting sock KAL around? I knit to relax and want to host this soon-to-happen KAL in that same zen spirit. Please don’t hesitate to email or comment with thoughts on what you think works (or doesn’t) – I’m dying to know!

Weekly Reader 09.13.13 | Hands Occupied

Weekly Reader

September 13, 2013 3 Comments

My top picks of the week range from sweet & tangy pretzels to cute crafts with pencils.

Best Back to School DIY Ideas | Hands Occupied

Best Back to School DIY Ideas

August 22, 2013 1 Comment

My favorite back to school-themed DIYs for grown ups.

Weekly Reader, July 19, 2013 | Hands Occupied

Weekly Reader

July 19, 2013 Leave a Comment

DIY accessories, embroidery patterns, giant flowers, giant origami, and much more.

Little Fox Embroidery - Hands Occupied for The Good Weekly

Little Fox Embroidery (with pattern!)

April 17, 2013 1 Comment

Check out this quick, springy project featuring an adorable little fox!

Needle Felted Conversation Heart | Hands Occupied for blog.goodsmiths.com

Needle Felted Conversation Heart

February 12, 2013 Leave a Comment

Check out my latest tutorial for The Good Weekly!

Nordic Needle Store Tour | HandsOccupied.com

Nordic Needle Store Tour

January 15, 2013 2 Comments

Take a look at Nordic Needle, a craft supply store and wholesaler located in Fargo, ND.

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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
❤️ Email preferred

Heidi Gustad 🧶✂️
Nobody panic. This is just the back of an (admitte Nobody panic. This is just the back of an (admittedly insane) intarsia project. One day, this will be a seamed sweater, but today is not that day. 🧶 
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Have a good weekend, everyone! 
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Yarn: @universal_yarn’s Fibra Natura Cobblestone in Antarctica & Dragon’s Breath 
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#handsoccupied #intarsia #intarsiaknitting #wip #knitting
Here’s how to work a Norwegian purl stitch for e Here’s how to work a Norwegian purl stitch for easier continental style knitting. With this purling method, the working yarn says tensioned (held) at the back of your knitting at all times. For many knitters, always holding the yarn at the back helps with tension issues, as well as feeling a little more comfortable. 
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Have you ever encountered this style of purling before? If you’ve tried it, have you found it helps with your purl tension and knitting speed? I’m curious.
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For a written tutorial, visit handsoccupied-dot-com. For video, you guessed it, You2be. Both of these platforms allow for longer, more in-depth versions of this tutorial, including full transcripts, alt text & the ability to pause, slow down or speed up at will. (Like if you really want to learn this, I recommend using a platform that doesn’t keep your hands occupied. Thinking of putting this in all my captions these days tbh - shout out to you if you made it this far. 🙌🏻😂)
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#handsoccupied #learntoknit #continentalknitting #howtoknit #norwegianpurl #norwegianknitting #knit #knitting #knitter #knittersofinstagram #knittinghack  #handknitting #handknit #norwegianpurling
Have you ever tried this style of purl? . All thi Have you ever tried this style of purl? 
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All this recent talk about throwing vs. continental style knitting made it clear many people struggle with purling in continental knitting. Turns out that Norway may have the answer! In Norwegian purling, the working yarn stays tensioned at the back at all times, helping with speed and tension. 🤯
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Head to the bl0g (🔗 in bi0) for a more in-depth look at how to work a Norwegian purl stitch, including a photo tutorial with animated GIF & a video tutorial. Wrapping your mind around how to work a stitch you’re familiar with in a totally new way can be confusing, so I tried to give a few options for clarity. 🤙🏻 Video is also on You2be. 
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#handsoccupied #norwegianpurl #norwegianknitting #norwegianpurling #continentalknitting #howtoknit #learntoknit #knitterofinstagram #knitters
It’s been a hot second since I showed my face or It’s been a hot second since I showed my face or reintroduced myself, so here goes! I’m Heidi Gustad, a craft book author, pattern designer, and tutorial creator who specializes in yarn crafts. Lately, I’ve been focused on releasing quality knitting videos and related blog posts to help teach things like the difference between provisional cast ons and how to fix common knitting mistakes. Next week I’m shooting requested crochet and latch hook videos, so h👀kers, your time is coming! And if you ever have tutorial requests, please let me know. ☺️
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TLDR: I’m Heidi. I design & teach yarn crafts. You can find tutorials on my blog (est. 2010) & You2be. I also have several knitting & crochet patterns + a book about latch hook available. / All of these can be found on my website, the 🔗 is where you’d think. 
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#handsoccupied #fridayintroduction #heidigustad #knitting #knitter #knittersofinstagram #yarncrafts #latchhookbook
Are you a picker or a thrower? Do you knit Contine Are you a picker or a thrower? Do you knit Continental or English Style? Here’s a quick overview of the differences between the two most common knitting styles, including a side by side comparison. (A good one to save for future reference. 👍🏻) 
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There’s more on the differences between picking and throwing in my latest blog post & You 2ube video - the l1nk is where you’d think!
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#handsoccupied #learntoknit #knittingstyles #howtoknit #knittersofinstagram #knitter
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