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Hands Occupied

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

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free pattern

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!

Picks of the Week for July 24, 2020 |

Picks of the Week

July 24, 2020 Leave a Comment

Some weeks all of my picks wind up falling under the same genre of yarn craft, and this time, it’s crochet! Whether Christmas in July or summer camp nostalgia are calling your name, check out this roundup of fresh ideas for inspiration.

The Triangle Rib Baby Hat knits up so quickly! Get your hands on this free charity knitting pattern for babies on Hands Occupied. #charityknitting #freepattern #babyknitting

Triangle Rib Baby Hat for Charity Knitting (plus a Charity KCAL!)

December 4, 2019 Leave a Comment

The Triangle Rib Baby Hat knits up so quickly! Get your hands on this free charity knitting pattern for babies and start stitching for a cause. :)

Just in time for Halloween! Get the free knitting chart for an adorable jack-o-lantern motif with intarsia or duplicate stitch. This free knitting pattern is just so much fun!

Smiling Jack-o’-Lantern Knitting Chart for Halloween

October 25, 2019 2 Comments

Just in time for Halloween! Get the free knitting chart for an adorable jack-o-lantern motif that can be worked with intarsia or duplicate stitch.

The 45-Minute Wrap, a free arm knitting pattern made with Zen Yarn Garden's Big Up! jumbo weight yarn.

The 45-Minute Wrap – Free Arm Knitting Pattern

September 13, 2019 Leave a Comment

Embrace the larger-than-life craft of arm knitting with a free pattern for The 45-Minute Wrap.

Picks of the Week for July 26, 2019 | Hands Occupied

Picks of the Week

July 26, 2019 Leave a Comment

If you’ve felt intimidated by knitting or crocheting your own sweaters until now, grabbing one of these free patterns might be a great way to inspire your first one! ;)

Knit up a simple tablet sleeve to protect your tablet from scratches on the go! The Comfy Tablet Sleeve knits up so quickly, making it a great gift-giving idea too. Get the free knitting pattern.

Comfy Tablet Sleeve – Free Knitting Pattern & Seaming Tutorial

July 16, 2019 Leave a Comment

Knit up a simple sleeve to protect your tablet from scratches on the go! The Comfy Tablet Sleeve knits up so quickly, making it a great gift-giving idea too.

Picks of the Week for June 28, 2019 | Hands Occupied

Picks of the Week

June 28, 2019 2 Comments

In this week’s picks, find inspiration to experiment with your yarn crafting this summer! Knit crochet, or macramé, this is the perfect season to get creative.

Sun & Flower Pillows - free crochet pattern! Quickly crochet a set of adorable, summery home accessories with the free pattern for these sun and flower-inspired throw pillows! Visit the Hands Occupied blog for the free crochet pattern. #crochet #freepattern #bulkyyarn #quickcrochetproject

Sun & Flower Pillows – Free Crochet Pattern

June 24, 2019 1 Comment

Quickly crochet a set of adorable, summery home accessories with a free pattern for these sun and flower-inspired throw pillows!

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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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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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