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Hands Occupied

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

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Picks of the Week for January 6, 2017 | Hands Occupied

Picks of the Week

January 13, 2017 1 Comment

It’s so hard to narrow down picks of the week this time of year because there are so many good ideas coming out every day!

Looking for something to crochet? Get your hooks into one of these new, to-die-for crochet patterns!

Things to Crochet

November 9, 2016 1 Comment

There’s something so whimsical about crochet! It’s so so perfect for creating structural objects like toys, hats and hooded garments, even for beginners. Crochet is just fun to do, and a great way to change up your crafting routine. Why not try one of these great new patterns this fall?

Picks of the Week for October 21, 2016 | Hands Occupied

Picks of the Week

October 21, 2016 1 Comment

It’s still warm enough to take yarn projects outdoors this week. Why not pair the weather with a nice fall yarn project?

Looking for something to knit? Here are ten of the best knitting patterns from independent designers, fall 2016.

Things to Knit

September 21, 2016 2 Comments

It’s fall so things are getting SERIOUS in the knitting world. There are gorgeous new patterns being released practically every day from independent designers. How to choose what to cast on from among all of theses stunners?

Kickstart your spring knitting by casting on one of these transitional weather projects!

Things to Knit

March 23, 2016 Leave a Comment

Kickstart your spring knitting by casting on one of these transitional weather projects!

10 inspiring accessory patterns to knit this winter!

Things to Knit

February 4, 2016 Leave a Comment

A look at 10 inspiring accessory patterns to knit this February!

Picks of the Week for January 8, 2016 | Hands Occupied

Picks of the Week

January 8, 2016 Leave a Comment

How great are these ideas? Get inspired to try one of these cute ideas and patterns this year!

10 of the most inspiring knitting patterns to kickstart your fall knitting!

Things to Knit

August 24, 2015 Leave a Comment

It’s hard to believe the last month of summer is winding down already! The great thing about being a knitter, though, is that the drop in temperatures and shortened days means knitting season is here. I know some knitters who only like to knit when it’s cold out, specifically around the winter holidays in many…

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Picks of the Week for January 16, 2015 at handsoccupied.com

Picks of the Week

January 16, 2015 2 Comments

If you’re looking for some ideas to keep your hands occupied during maybe-too-cold weather, I’ve got some picks from the blogging world this week for your crafty consideration.

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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

Helping yarn crafters untangle various techniques on the internet since 2010
🧶 Really into intarsia
Stay up-to-date 💌 & shop the latest patterns ⤵️

Heidi Gustad 🧶 knitting & yarn crafts
How to convert a closet into WIPs storage with jus How to convert a closet into WIPs storage with just a few supplies ✂️
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When I was a librarian, we would use these hanging bags to circulate books with audiobook CDs. They came to mind when I wanted to develop a filing cabinet-like system for my differently-sized WIPs. To fit in my studio closet, a standard bedroom closet, they just needed custom hangers. 🤙🏻 
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HOW TO MAKE THE HANGERS
1. Carefully cut approx. a 9” (23 cm) length of flexible 3 mm aluminum wire.
2. Near the end of a large knitting needle or dowel, wrap the wire around it as you would a twist tie. 
3. Bend the other end into a hook shape, perpendicular to the circle shape you just created. 
4. Hang like a hanger in a closet, as shown. 
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#handsoccupied #handmadelife #knitting_inspiration #craftcloset #craftroom #craftroomorganization #craftroomstorage #craftroomdecor #crocheter #latchhook #knittersofinstagram #wip #wips #hangingstorage
It’s time for the monthly review and giveaway! T It’s time for the monthly review and giveaway! This go around, get to know two new sister yarns from @manosyarnsusa, Marla and Sami, and enter to win a skein of each to try for yourself. 
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What makes these yarns sisters is that, while dyed differently, they’re the same weight and come in intentionally coordinating color palettes. For my review, I opted for a sky-inspired combo of Sami in Natural and Marla in Nube. 🌧️ 
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Check out the full review & enter the giveaway at the link in my bio. 
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#handsoccupied #yarnreview #manosdeluruguay #knitting_inspire #crochet #yarngiveaway #knitters #yarn #crochetersofinstagram
If only knitting a whole project took 39 seconds… 😮‍💨 
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In this video, you can see how the Intarsia Flower Pillow pattern knits up - two flat panels, one with intarsia, both are blocked, and then they’re seamed. Find the pattern on @hi.ravelry & my website, just search Intarsia Flower Pillow. 🌸 
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P.S. I’m really smiling in this video while seaming the pillow, so I guess I’m proving last week’s claim that I truly enjoy that sometimes-dreaded task. 😆🫣
In knitting, a Left Lifted Increase (LLI) lets you In knitting, a Left Lifted Increase (LLI) lets you add a stitch in between two columns of stitches that leans to the left. Similar to an M1L, LLIs allow you to increase nearly invisibly.
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To learn more about lifted increases, including when to use them and how they differ from Make 1s, head to the 🔗 in my profle. 
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Have you ever used lifted increases? I used M1’s almost exclusively for a long time when I needed to inc between stitches, but when I designed the Intarsia Flower Pillow pattern, I needed something that would allow me to increase a lot near my cast on, and M1’s resulted in edge curling. The more you know! 🌈 
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Yarn: @lionbrandyarn Wool Ease from my Stash / Neddles: @boyeyarncrafts - Just remembered these are the needles I learned to knit on at age 8. 😂
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#handsoccupied #knitting #learntoknit #howtoknit #sweaterknitting #knitinspiration #knittersofinstagram #liftedincreases
Last week I got to hang out with my family & helpe Last week I got to hang out with my family & helped babysit my red-headed niece and nephew. So here’s some plane knitting, and a couple pictures (shared with permission) of my babysitting adventures.
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Lessons learned: 1️⃣ Trying to knit around 2 toddlers, 2 cats & 2 large dogs is pretty hard. 2️⃣ I learned during water color time that pink and black make “colorful black.” 🩷🖤 3️⃣ Toddlers do NOT care about your rainbow sorting of their toys. 4️⃣ Toddlers are very good at finding mischief in a very short amount of time, what a surprise. 😂
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#handsoccupied #knitting #placesyoucanknit #knitters #knitinpublic #handmadelife #knitting_inspiration
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