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Hands Occupied

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

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Store Tour: Unglued - Fargo, ND at HandsOccupied.com

Store Tour: Unglued – Fargo, ND

July 15, 2014 4 Comments

If you’ve read this blog for awhile, you might know that I am from Fargo. The Fargo. Yeah, yeah, I’ve heard every possible comment on the movie, the new show, my blond hair, accent, etc. Stereotypes aside, Fargo has always had a fun downtown, but every time I’m home, its cultural landmarks seem to be getting more and more awesome.

Get in on the action - The Reader Gallery at Hands Occupied

Get in on the action – The Reader Gallery!

April 30, 2014 Leave a Comment

A few months ago I realized I was seeing more and more of your lovely takes on DIYs from Hands Occupied, so I decided to set up a gallery page to showcase them all! And then I realized I should probably tell you all about it in a post so everyone knows it exists! Shame on me for not thinking of posting about it sooner. :)

Hacky Sack Crochet Pattern at Hands Occupied

Hacky Sack Crochet Pattern

February 27, 2014 3 Comments

This week the lovely Marie from Make & Takes invited me to design & share an easy crochet pattern in her crochet-a-day series, so I went old school and put together an easy (and super addictive) crochet hacky sack pattern.

50 Handmade Valentine Ideas at Hands Occupied

50 Handmade Valentine Ideas

February 11, 2014 4 Comments

Every Friday, I gush over favorite DIYs in my Weekly Reader roundups. Many of those favorite crafts, decor & recipes have been Valentine’s Day projects, but there have been even more great V-Day projects banked in my Be Mine Pinterest board all season. Heck, I’ve even been gathering up ideas all year! What better way to celebrate my favorite DIY inspiration than to bundle up my top 50 ideas, plus a few of my own projects from weeks and years past, to share with you.

Lovely Lacey Scarf at Hands Occupied

Lovely Lacey Scarf

December 17, 2013 Leave a Comment

My take on a great, free knitting pattern for a beautiful lace scarf, and a bit about why I became an ambidextrous knitter.

Inspired by Tassels

September 24, 2012 Leave a Comment

6 items, ranging from loafers to dresses, featuring adorable tassels anyone can make.

*bespoke*’s Top 10 Handmade/Vintage Finds of 2011

December 29, 2011 Leave a Comment

Some of the most adorable handmade/vintage finds of 2011, courtesy of *bespoke*

Etsy Pavillion at the One of a Kind Show and Sale

December 2, 2011 2 Comments

Check out the action at about the most adorable craft fair I’ve ever attended.

Crafting Strikes: Wolfbait & B-girls

May 20, 2011 2 Comments

During my first week in Chicago, I visited a handmade lover’s dream store.

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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 🧶✂️
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
Peg boards and craft room organization go together Peg boards and craft room organization go together like peanut butter and jelly. So, as you can see, do latch hook tools and screwdriver organizers! 🪛 
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I think this trick translates to any tool with a thick handle, so leather working tools, punch needles, print making tools, etc. should work! What other tools am I, a needlecrafter, blanking on right now? 
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#craftorganization #handsoccupied #latchhook #latchhooking
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