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Hands Occupied

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

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Knitting & Crochet Picks of the Week at handsoccupied.com

Weekly Reader

July 4, 2014 Leave a Comment

Happy Fourth of July, American readers! And happy Friday, everyone everywhere else! :) I’m spending America’s birthday at home with family in North Dakota, where the fireworks over the prairie are amazing. I can’t wait to share a little bit next week about the HOT (you read that right!), summer side of Fargo you don’t get to see in the media and let you guys get to know me a little better. After all, the lovely folks who have responded to the currently-live reader survey so far are saying they want to get to know yours truly a little better.

25 American DIYs at handsoccupied.com

25 American DIYs

July 2, 2014 1 Comment

The Fourth of July is nearly here, folks! Get ready with my 25 favorite tutorials for celebrating America. This list is complete with DIY style ideas, snacks, picnic & cookout accessories, piñatas, home décor, and more!

Weekly Reader 04.25.14 | Hands Occupied

Weekly Reader

April 25, 2014 3 Comments

Easter may be behind us now, but there are still so many ways to get inspired to DIY this spring. Cinco de Mayo is coming up fast, and there’s always room in any season to DIY some awesome jewelry! Other than getting inspired by the crafty internet to DIY, you can always jump in on the Knit Along I’ve got going on Hands Occupied, or you can throw your hat in on the ring to win a copy of Washi Wonderful for more great craft ideas. Read on for my favorite inspiration of the week.

Weekly Reader 02.21.14 | Hands Occupied

Weekly Reader

February 21, 2014 1 Comment

With Valentine’s Day behind us and the Olympics nearly over, creative bloggers took the opportunity to share some new ideas not bound by seasonal hallmarks. Many beautiful ideas fell under the DIY style category of projects, which makes me oh so happy! Some of my favorites are funky fresh ideas, some a little crazy, and some are simply gorgeous.

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.

15 Olympic Crafts (that aren't just for kids!) at Hands Occupied

15 Olympic Crafts (that aren’t just for kids!)

February 6, 2014 3 Comments

When you search for Olympic crafts or DIYs, SO much of what you find is designed for kids. Kids are great, but I work with them for my job and I’m not a mom. I don’t want to do kid stuff in my off time, is that so bad? Bring on the Olympic rings jewelry, boozy DIYs, adorable baked goods, and Grecian accessories!

Weekly Reader 01.10.14 | Hands Occupied

Weekly Reader

January 10, 2014 Leave a Comment

Some great food, jewelry & party DIYs, & some book recs, coming at ya!

50 Great DIY Gift Ideas from Hands Occupied

50 Great DIY Gift Ideas

December 18, 2013 Leave a Comment

It’s not too late to DIY a Christmas gift or two! Here are 50 ideas to try.

How-to: Autumnal Necklace | Hands Occupied

How-to: Autumnal Necklace

November 4, 2013 Leave a Comment

Would you believe this subtle fall necklace was inspired by a cuckoo clock?

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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 🧶✂️
Nobody panic. This is just the back of an (admitte Nobody panic. This is just the back of an (admittedly insane) intarsia project. One day, this will be a seamed sweater, but today is not that day. 🧶 
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Have a good weekend, everyone! 
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Yarn: @universal_yarn’s Fibra Natura Cobblestone in Antarctica & Dragon’s Breath 
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#handsoccupied #intarsia #intarsiaknitting #wip #knitting
Here’s how to work a Norwegian purl stitch for e Here’s how to work a Norwegian purl stitch for easier continental style knitting. With this purling method, the working yarn says tensioned (held) at the back of your knitting at all times. For many knitters, always holding the yarn at the back helps with tension issues, as well as feeling a little more comfortable. 
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Have you ever encountered this style of purling before? If you’ve tried it, have you found it helps with your purl tension and knitting speed? I’m curious.
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For a written tutorial, visit handsoccupied-dot-com. For video, you guessed it, You2be. Both of these platforms allow for longer, more in-depth versions of this tutorial, including full transcripts, alt text & the ability to pause, slow down or speed up at will. (Like if you really want to learn this, I recommend using a platform that doesn’t keep your hands occupied. Thinking of putting this in all my captions these days tbh - shout out to you if you made it this far. 🙌🏻😂)
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#handsoccupied #learntoknit #continentalknitting #howtoknit #norwegianpurl #norwegianknitting #knit #knitting #knitter #knittersofinstagram #knittinghack  #handknitting #handknit #norwegianpurling
Have you ever tried this style of purl? . All thi Have you ever tried this style of purl? 
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All this recent talk about throwing vs. continental style knitting made it clear many people struggle with purling in continental knitting. Turns out that Norway may have the answer! In Norwegian purling, the working yarn stays tensioned at the back at all times, helping with speed and tension. 🤯
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Head to the bl0g (🔗 in bi0) for a more in-depth look at how to work a Norwegian purl stitch, including a photo tutorial with animated GIF & a video tutorial. Wrapping your mind around how to work a stitch you’re familiar with in a totally new way can be confusing, so I tried to give a few options for clarity. 🤙🏻 Video is also on You2be. 
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#handsoccupied #norwegianpurl #norwegianknitting #norwegianpurling #continentalknitting #howtoknit #learntoknit #knitterofinstagram #knitters
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
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