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Hands Occupied

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

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hands occupied

Heidi (Hands Occupied) reacts in horror to the time.

It’s 2022 already?

February 9, 2022 1 Comment

An update about what’s next from Hands Occupied!

Heidi Gustad from Hands Occupied holds up a pair of wooden knitting needles. She's wearing a t-shirt that reads "Midwest Crafter."

Hands Occupied, 11 years on 😳

September 16, 2021 6 Comments

A look back on 11 years of Hands Occupied, and a look ahead at what’s to come.

Happy 10th Birthday, Hands Occupied!

September 21, 2020 4 Comments

It’s hard to believe it, but it’s been TEN years since the first blog post went live on Hands Occupied. Read a little about the Hands Occupied timeline, the latest Latch Hook book news, and some surprise updates coming later this week!

Intarsia Mountain, a knitting pattern designed by Heidi Gustad

Reader Survey: What do you want to see in the new year?

December 27, 2018 6 Comments

Help steer Hands Occupied in 2019 by leaving some much-appreciated feedback. And survey respondents can enter to win a $75 KnitPicks gift card for participating!

Learn six different ways to begin knitting projects in a Cast On Clinic with Heidi Gustad, the Knit & Crochet Designer behind Hands Occupied.

Warm Up with In-Person Events this Winter!

January 3, 2018 1 Comment

It’s a new year, and there’s so much to celebrate! A lot of us have cold temps as a great excuse to spend time hunkered down with needles and hooks, but if you’re looking for a cozy place to warm up in January or February, I’ve got a few ideas.

Get your hands on the Rhombuster Scarf pattern, a colorful new design from Heidi Gustad. Don't think scarf patterns can surprise you? Give the Rhombuster a shot to try something new!

Allow me to reintroduce myself.

September 25, 2017 7 Comments

One of my goals for Hands Occupied this year is being less buttoned up. Today I want to share more about what my first year as a full time knit & crochet designer looked like. Brace yourselves – it was a doozie!

Learn how to pick up stitches in knitting. This easy video tutorial shows you how to pick up and knit stitches in a selvage edge.

How to Pick Up Stitches in Knitting

February 8, 2017 3 Comments

Learn how to pick up stitches with an easy video tutorial showing you how to pick up and knit stitches in a selvage edge.

Explore the new Hands Occupied and celebrate the updates with a knitting kit giveaway featuring Spud & Chloe yarn!

Welcome to the New Hands Occupied

February 6, 2017 Leave a Comment

Learn about the changes that have been going on behind the scenes at Hands Occupied, take a look at the new site, and celebrate the redesign with a knitting kit giveaway and a 40% pattern discount!

The top posts from Hands Occupied for 2016. Find out what posts made this year's top ten list as we look back at a doozie of a year.

Picks of the Year!

December 30, 2016 1 Comment

Find out what posts made this year’s top ten list as we look back at a doozie of a year.

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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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