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Hands Occupied

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

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ewe ewe yarns

The Arizona Afghan is a single panel blanket inspired by iconic woven blankets of the American Southwest. The bold, graphic design of this throw is accomplished through a combination of linen stitch, stranded colorwork, slipped stitches and a dash of intarsia. Get the pattern in I Like Knitting magazine.

Arizona Afghan in I Like Knitting magazine

September 5, 2017 Leave a Comment

The Arizona Afghan is a single panel blanket inspired by iconic woven blankets of the American Southwest. The bold, graphic design of this throw is accomplished through a combination of linen stitch, stranded colorwork, slipped stitches and a dash of intarsia. Get the pattern in I Like Knitting magazine, October 2017.

Get your hands on the Funkasonic Mittens & Mukulks patterns on Ravelry & find tutorials to help you knit them on HandsOccupied.com!

Funkasonic Knit Along Wrap Up

February 1, 2016 Leave a Comment

A look back at the Funkasonic Knit Along and some of the best snaps of the series!

Learn how to bind off a project by grafting ends together. Click through for an easy video tutorial on how to bind off with kitchener stitch.

How to Bind Off with Kitchener Stitch

January 25, 2016 Leave a Comment

This method of finishing a project results in a seamless finished look, despite being seamed. Using the kitchener stitch to finish cuff down mittens and socks is particularly excellent because the finished result isn’t lumpy, which is great to avoid discomfort on sensitive fingers and toes that lumpy finishes can cause.

Learn how to knit a short row heel turn to master cuff down socks. Click through for the video tutorial.

How to Knit a Short Row Heel Turn / Funkasonic KAL

January 18, 2016 1 Comment

Turning a sock heel can be daunting, particularly for first time sock knitters. Turning a sock heel for the first time using a new method can take a minute to wrap your head around. Turning a sock heel using two colors complicates things. Learn how to defeat a short row heel turn with this video tutorial.

Learn one simple trick to knit linen stitch with neat edges. Take your knitting to the next level with this easy video tutorial that helps SO MUCH when knitting socks, scarves and cowls.

How to Knit Neat Linen Stitch Edges / Funkasonic KAL

January 14, 2016 12 Comments

Learn one simple trick to knit neat linen stitch edges. Take your knitting to the next level with this easy video tutorial that helps SO MUCH when knitting socks, scarves and cowls.

Learn how to knit jogless stripes with an easy video tutorial - click through to view.

Jogless Stripes & Linen Stitch / Funkasonic KAL

January 11, 2016 Leave a Comment

Today’s Funkasonic knit along post is about the details. There are little details written into both Funkasonic patterns to help add some visual texture and strength to the finished pattern or help hide where the round begins.

Knit the Funkasonic Mittens & Funkasonic Mukluks to keep toasty this winter!

Start the new year with the Funkasonic Knit Along! (+ giveaway!)

December 31, 2015 Leave a Comment

Why yes, you’re seeing that correctly! That’s TWO new, coordinating patterns from yours truly. I’m kicking off the new year with two patterns I’ve dubbed Funkasonic for their mesmerizing use of stripes! While they’re officially being released in my pattern shop on Friday, January 15, I’ve teamed up with PostStitch and Ewe Ewe Yarns to bring you a super special knit along with these two totally funky patterns this January.

Yarns from Ewe Ewe, Manos del Uruguary, Lion Brand & Mountain Meadow Wool

Currently Knitting

October 26, 2015 1 Comment

Knitting season is in full swing, and I’ve been busy developing and working on a lot of designs for winter and spring releases this month. Based on where I’m at with sketching, collaborating, swatching, designing and finally knitting these new creations, you guys can brace yourself for lots of winter accessories, and even a fun baby project headed your way!

September Sponsor Spotlight at Hands Occupied

September Sponsor Spotlight

September 9, 2015 Leave a Comment

All four of our sponsors this month are women-driven companies based in the U.S. I love getting to spend time getting to know new yarn industry companies because it reminds me of one of the best things about being active in this community: the people. So many yarn industry folks have interesting stories to tell, and here are just a few worth getting to know!

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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 🧶✂️
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
Spent time with family this weekend down South. Go Spent time with family this weekend down South. Got some stitching in & felt spring for a minute, which was lovely. ☀️ 
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I’ll be catching up on comments, etc. tomorrow. 
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#handsoccupied #travelknitting #planeknitting
Which way do you knit? Picking, throwing, Portugue Which way do you knit? Picking, throwing, Portuguese, Shetland… how about lever style? 
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Today on the blog, we’re defining & comparing the two most common knitting styles: continental and throwing. They’re each known by a few names, and odds are one of them really is your grandmother’s knitting style (if she’s a western knitter that is). There’s a new video to help demonstrate the differences too. Another good one to save & share! 😉 
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#handsoccupied #continentalknitting #englishknitting #americanknitting #howtoknit
This past weekend, my husband and I visited family This past weekend, my husband and I visited family out of state. Here’s what I packed to keep my hands occupied for the drive. 😉 
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I try my hardest to be realistic about how much knitting I’m going to get done vs. the effort of schlepping my WIP(s) and yarn around. I definitely almost brought double this amount of yarn, which would have been hilariously unnecessary for a weekend trip. Why am I like this? 😆 Do you also struggle with overpacking when it comes to crafts? 
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#handsoccupied #travelknitting #knitting #knitter #knittersofinstagram #knitting_inspiration
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