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Hands Occupied

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

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heidi gustad

Try your hands at knitting the Ruby Stole, available exclusively in the June 2017 issue of I Like Knitting magazine.

Ruby Stole – New Design in I Like Knitting Magazine!

May 9, 2017 2 Comments

Tasked with designing a garment inspired by birthstones, I was excited to develop a custom motif that looks like pear-shaped rubies. Using a combination of easy increases and decreases, short rows, twisted stitches and more, you’ll be able to knit an elegant finished piece with this pattern.

Get your hands on the only shawl you'll ever need, the Abie's Lace Shawl, in the latest issue of I Like Knitting magazine.

New lace shawl design in I Like Knitting Magazine

March 13, 2017 1 Comment

There’s a new Hands Occupied design in the latest issue of I Like Knitting magazine. The magazine’s editors have even dubbed this lovely lacy pattern the only shawl you’ll ever need!

Rick & Roll Socks by Heidi Gustad - Try out this colorful, fun-to-make and beginner-friendly sock knitting pattern!

Rick & Roll Socks are here!

March 1, 2017 Leave a Comment

Who doesn’t love a good boot-friendly sock? They keep your toes warm while doubling as a buffer between blister-inducing boot tops, plus they are a great way to add a pop of color and texture to your outfit. The Rick & Roll Socks are the newest pattern from Hands Occupied.

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.

Knit an adorable cable knit beanie for winter with this free pattern.

Winter Cable Knit Beanie

November 14, 2016 4 Comments

Knit an adorable cable knit beanie for winter with this free pattern that comes in adult and children’s sizes.

Nina, a yarn shop in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood.

Trunk Show at Nina!

April 13, 2016 Leave a Comment

This Saturday is my first-ever trunk show, and it’s at Chicago’s own Nina! Any chance I get to hang out with knitters, surrounded in yarn, is pretty fantastic. I’ll be at Nina from 1 to 5 with samples of some of my favorite pattern designs, and we have some special goodies for attendees!

Learn how to knit with Hands Occupied for AllFreeKnitting - free video tutorials!

A New Crop of Tutorial Videos

July 7, 2015 Leave a Comment

At the beginning of this year I started hosting knitting video tutorials for AllFreeKnitting, and just last week I wrapped up hosting their first ever knit along, featuring the Spring Meadow Scarf. Now that the KAL is behind us, a new batch of tutorials are being released that you might be interested in.

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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 🧶✂️
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
Spent time with family this weekend down South. Go Spent time with family this weekend down South. Got some stitching in & felt spring for a minute, which was lovely. ☀️ 
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I’ll be catching up on comments, etc. tomorrow. 
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#handsoccupied #travelknitting #planeknitting
Which way do you knit? Picking, throwing, Portugue Which way do you knit? Picking, throwing, Portuguese, Shetland… how about lever style? 
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Today on the blog, we’re defining & comparing the two most common knitting styles: continental and throwing. They’re each known by a few names, and odds are one of them really is your grandmother’s knitting style (if she’s a western knitter that is). There’s a new video to help demonstrate the differences too. Another good one to save & share! 😉 
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#handsoccupied #continentalknitting #englishknitting #americanknitting #howtoknit
This past weekend, my husband and I visited family This past weekend, my husband and I visited family out of state. Here’s what I packed to keep my hands occupied for the drive. 😉 
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I try my hardest to be realistic about how much knitting I’m going to get done vs. the effort of schlepping my WIP(s) and yarn around. I definitely almost brought double this amount of yarn, which would have been hilariously unnecessary for a weekend trip. Why am I like this? 😆 Do you also struggle with overpacking when it comes to crafts? 
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#handsoccupied #travelknitting #knitting #knitter #knittersofinstagram #knitting_inspiration
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