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Hands Occupied

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

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Learn how to knit the drop stitch with this easy to follow video tutorial.

How to Knit the Drop Stitch

October 17, 2016 1 Comment

When I first learned to knit the drop stitch, I thought I was getting pretty fancy with my knitting. You see, it was the first non-knit or purl stitch I’d ever tried. The drop stitch is a great stitch to learn earlier on in your knitting career because you only have to know how to knit and yarn over to have success with it

Learn how to work an easy garter stitch tab with this knitting video tutorial. This easy-to-master knitting technique is a staple among shawl knitters. You'll commonly find garter tabs used to cast on shawl patterns.

How to Knit a Garter Tab

October 13, 2016 6 Comments

Learn how to work an easy garter stitch tab with this knitting video tutorial. This easy-to-master knitting technique is a staple among shawl knitters. You’ll commonly find garter tabs used to cast on shawl patterns.

Knit the Other People's Houses Shawl - this first time shawl-friendly free pattern is versatile and can be knit with any yarn.

Other People’s Houses Shawl pattern / RALKAL Kickoff!!

October 10, 2016 6 Comments

Get the free Other People’s Houses Shawl pattern and pick up a copy of The Other People’s Houses by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock. We’ll be knitting this shawl and reading the book between October 10 and 31. Join us on Ravelry for a discussion of the book! Join the discussion, read the book or knit the shawl for your chance to win prizes!

Read and knit along with Heidi from Hands Occupied!

It’s the Read Along Knit Along!

September 28, 2016 17 Comments

Read and knit along with us! The Read Along Knit Along starts October 10. We’ll be reading The Smell of Other People’s Houses by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock and knitting the free Other People’s Houses Shawl pattern.

Get your hands on the Funkasonic Mittens & Mukulks patterns on Ravelry & find tutorials to help you knit them on HandsOccupied.com!

Funkasonic Knit Along Wrap Up

February 1, 2016 Leave a Comment

A look back at the Funkasonic Knit Along and some of the best snaps of the series!

Learn how to bind off a project by grafting ends together. Click through for an easy video tutorial on how to bind off with kitchener stitch.

How to Bind Off with Kitchener Stitch

January 25, 2016 Leave a Comment

This method of finishing a project results in a seamless finished look, despite being seamed. Using the kitchener stitch to finish cuff down mittens and socks is particularly excellent because the finished result isn’t lumpy, which is great to avoid discomfort on sensitive fingers and toes that lumpy finishes can cause.

Learn how to knit a short row heel turn to master cuff down socks. Click through for the video tutorial.

How to Knit a Short Row Heel Turn / Funkasonic KAL

January 18, 2016 1 Comment

Turning a sock heel can be daunting, particularly for first time sock knitters. Turning a sock heel for the first time using a new method can take a minute to wrap your head around. Turning a sock heel using two colors complicates things. Learn how to defeat a short row heel turn with this video tutorial.

Learn one simple trick to knit linen stitch with neat edges. Take your knitting to the next level with this easy video tutorial that helps SO MUCH when knitting socks, scarves and cowls.

How to Knit Neat Linen Stitch Edges / Funkasonic KAL

January 14, 2016 12 Comments

Learn one simple trick to knit neat linen stitch edges. Take your knitting to the next level with this easy video tutorial that helps SO MUCH when knitting socks, scarves and cowls.

Learn how to knit jogless stripes with an easy video tutorial - click through to view.

Jogless Stripes & Linen Stitch / Funkasonic KAL

January 11, 2016 Leave a Comment

Today’s Funkasonic knit along post is about the details. There are little details written into both Funkasonic patterns to help add some visual texture and strength to the finished pattern or help hide where the round begins.

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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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