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Hands Occupied

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

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i like knitting

The Arizona Afghan is a single panel blanket inspired by iconic woven blankets of the American Southwest. The bold, graphic design of this throw is accomplished through a combination of linen stitch, stranded colorwork, slipped stitches and a dash of intarsia. Get the pattern in I Like Knitting magazine.

Arizona Afghan in I Like Knitting magazine

September 5, 2017 Leave a Comment

The Arizona Afghan is a single panel blanket inspired by iconic woven blankets of the American Southwest. The bold, graphic design of this throw is accomplished through a combination of linen stitch, stranded colorwork, slipped stitches and a dash of intarsia. Get the pattern in I Like Knitting magazine, October 2017.

Get your hands on the new Mod Maze Pillow design exclusively in the August issue of I Like Knitting magazine!

Mod Maze Pillow in the new issue of I Like Knitting!

July 5, 2017 Leave a Comment

The Mod Maze Pillow features flat, center-out construction, which is a great way to learn techniques to help you level up your knitting skills.

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 English Lace Scarf pattern in the June issue of I Like Knitting magazine!

English Lace Scarf in I like Knitting Magazine

May 20, 2015 Leave a Comment

I’ve got a new pattern that was just published in the June issue of I Like Knitting magazine! It’s the perfect summer scarf, designed with the 100% wet spun linen Louet Euroflax sport weight yarn. The full lace ends of the scarf are evocative of a long fringe when contrasted with the single, centered repeat of the English lace surrounded by stockinette. That contrasting stockinette section helps to reinforce the center and combat stretching in this lightweight summer scarf.

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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, designer & creator specializing in yarn crafts like knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé
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Heidi Gustad 🧶✂️
Weekend knitting design aftermath. Remember kids, Weekend knitting design aftermath. Remember kids, it’s always good to stop, swatch and block it. 🧶
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#stopswatchandblockit #handsoccupied
Learn how to do the magic loop method for knitting Learn how to do the magic loop method for knitting in the round in 90 seconds. / Using the magic loop allows knitters to work in the round with a single, long circular needle at a range of circumferences. 
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For a longer, full-width & more detailed overview of magic loop knitting, check out my u2be & b1og, the 🔗🔗 are where you’d think. 🧶
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#handsoccupied #magicloop #knitting #howtoknit #learntoknit #knitter #knittinginspiration #knittinginstagram #knittingintheround
Since it won’t be clean for long, swipe to see w Since it won’t be clean for long, swipe to see what my home studio looks like these days. Nothing will ever quite be like the old Hands Occupied Studio, but I’m pretty pleased with how I shoehorned everything in this space. Function over form + a layer of yarn cuteness-meets-chaos is how I’d describe my creative space needs. 😆 When I was still renting the studio, those needs included “doesn’t rain suspicious brown water from a crack in the ceiling for a year,” so this is an improvement! 😆
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For a time lapse of the studio organizing and tszuj-ing process, scroll down a couple posts on my feed. (There’s also a video or two featuring the old studio if you’re curious.) Happy June, friends! 
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#handsoccupied #handsoccupiedstudio #knitdesigner #craftdesign #yarncrafts #latchhook #makerlife #heidigustad #chicagocrafter
Who doesn’t love magic loop knitting? Who doesn’t know what it is? How about when circular needles were invented?
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In todays new bl0g post + video tutorial, you’ll learn about the magic loop method for knitting in the round, how to do it and why to use it, and when it came to be. The 🔗 is in my b1o. 🧶 
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#handsoccupied #magicloop #knitting #howtoknit #knittinginspiration #knittingintheround
Finally organizing & putting the finishing touches Finally organizing & putting the finishing touches on my home studio. After losing my studio space last fall, it’s feels really great to *occupy* this new space all the way. 😉
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I started by removing general clutter & returning straggler supplies from various WIPs, videos & design deadlines to their homes. Next, I hung a third peg board in the space - this one is mostly for display and less for organizing tools or projects. For the first time ever, I’m displaying projects from my book, plus a couple other faves. (The best thing about designing more yarn crafts besides knit & crochet is that I have some really fun -and delightfully pettable 😆- samples around.) I finished by adding a square dowel to my small supply storage tower to keep it from tipping over, plus re-arranging and de-cluttering the closet. 
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This cleaner space already has me feeling so much more creative and less overwhelmed. Now to find a safe spot in the basement for the tower of project samples in Rubbermaid tubs I liberated from my WIPs closet. Also why are there five?! 
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Here’s to keeping it clean for a few weeks! 🧶 
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#handsocupied #handsoccupiedstudio #craftroom #craftroomorganization #craftroomstorage #yarncraft #knitter #crocheter #latchhook #latchhookbook
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