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Hands Occupied

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

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Read about the top 10 posts from Hands Occupied in 2017. Did your favorites make the list?

Picks of the Year

December 29, 2017 2 Comments

Read about the top 10 posts from Hands Occupied in 2017. Did your favorites make the list?

Picks of the Week for June 23, 2017 | Hands Occupied

Picks of the Week

June 23, 2017 Leave a Comment

It’s getting to be the part of the summer when it’s too darn hot to move outside! Good thing shade-friendly projects like these are there to keep us occupied during the hottest days of the year.

Picks of the Week for February 17, 2017 | Hands Occupied

Picks of the Week

February 17, 2017 1 Comment

There was so much fun, fast and free inspiration on the blogs this week! What’s not to love?

Knit or crochet some adorable ornaments to trim your tree! Join Hands Occupied this holiday season to make Christmas ornaments with free patterns all season along. Each ornament doubles as a great gift topper & stocking stuffer!

Twelve Ornaments of Christmas, Volume Two!

November 16, 2016 2 Comments

Tuck in with your yarn and a cup of cocoa to to create something sweet this holiday season. We’ll knit and crochet ornaments to trim our trees, top our presents, and stuff our stockings starting November 28.

12 free knit and crochet patterns to help you stitch away stress.

12 Patterns to Help Stitch Away Stress

April 11, 2016 3 Comments

The one in which I open up (a little) about my anxiety. Mostly check out 12 easy-to-make knit and crochet patterns that are perfect for helping you stitch away stress. :)

Picks of the Week for December 4, 2015 | Hands Occupied

Picks of the Week

December 4, 2015 2 Comments

Last week was the week of the accessory pattern on the blogs, but this week is the week of pom poms!

Picks of the Week for November 27, 2015 | Hands Occupied

Picks of the Week

November 27, 2015 Leave a Comment

How awesome are these uber-chic (and easy) patterns? I can’t wait to cast on my next accessory, and all of these great patterns are making me impatient!

Picks of the Week for September 25, 2015 | Hands Occupied

Picks of the Week

September 25, 2015 Leave a Comment

I have a couple of little plans I’m really looking forward to this weekend, but other than that, my plan is to spend ALL of my time hacking away at some works-in-progress. I can’t wait!

Picks of the Week for August 20, 2015 | Hands Occupied

Picks of the Week

August 20, 2015 3 Comments

Wait. A Thursday Picks of the Week you ask? Well, guys, I’m taking a good ole actual vacation starting tomorrow.

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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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Craft book author & pattern designer ❤️💛💙
knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé
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Please email for pattern support. 🧶

Heidi Gustad 🧶✂️
When you have four big skeins of pretty 2 ply yarn When you have four big skeins of pretty 2 ply yarn, you immediately think sweater, right? 
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My wardrobe could use another handmade sweater - I’m thinking something simple, seamed and with a decent amount of ease for potentially wearing tucked in with jeans or skirts. 🤔 
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Yarn: @universal_yarn Fibra Natura Cobblestone in Antarctica and Dragon’s Breath, wound in thick skeins of 100% superwash wool that’s a light DK weight.
How to to knit throwing (a.k.a. English) style . How to to knit throwing (a.k.a. English) style 
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In knitting, there are a few common knitting styles. Most often you’re going to encounter continental style and English (throwing) style on your knitting journey. I recently had an old video teaching continental style get a lot of views. Based on the comments, it was clear the people wanted to also see a throwing tutorial, so here you go! 🧶
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Please note that there is a LOT of variation in knitting styles, and one isn’t necessarily better than another. Most often, I’ve found it comes down to two things: how you were taught and whether or not you’re really into colorwork knitting (which can involve a mix of styles). 
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Longer-term knitters who’ve made it this far: do you prefer one over the other? And why? 
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#handsoccupied #englishknitting #learntoknit #knitting #howtoknit #knittersofinstagram #knitting_inspiration
How to do a one-step provisional knitting cast on How to do a one-step provisional knitting cast on / a.k.a. crochet provisional cast on, scrap yarn cast on
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I read recently that tiktok and Instagram are being used as search engines more and more. 🤔 I thought since I’m going to all the work of making tutorials on YouTube, I should experiment with making a quick version of them for other platforms. There are obvious teaching limitations to vertical video, short-form content like this, but I think I covered the gist of this cast on in a minute. The YouTube version also covers how to unzip this cast on because there was time for it 👍🏻 L1nk is in my profile. 
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I’m very much looking for feedback as I continue to make instructional knitting & craft videos. Sometimes good tutorials are hard to find, and (ideally polite) feedback helps me improve. 
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#handsoccupied #provisionalcaston #knitting #knititngtutorial #knittersofinstagram #crochethook #knittingtutorial
For the first time in a long time, there’s a new For the first time in a long time, there’s a new tutorial from Hands Occupied! 🎉 The video is live on YouTube & the blog. 
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The post covers what provisional cast ons are & how they differ, and the video covers how to work a one-step provisional cast on using scrap yarn and a crochet hook. (This is a great one to save for future reference.)
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I learned several names for this method while researching this video & post. Crochet provisional cast on, one-step cast on, scrap yarn cast on - if you know even more names for this technique, please share! 
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#handsoccupied #provisionalcaston #knitting #scrapyarn #crochethook
Working on a sample for some upcoming videos. It’s an overcast day with intermittent sunshine & I have a scruffy little sidecar. 🐶 Can’t complain! 
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What’s on your needles this week? 
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Yarn: @debbieblissknits Cashmerino Aran 
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#handsoccupied #knitting #knittinglife
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