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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 gorgeous two color brioche rib in the round with this great video tutorial. Click through to view.

How to Knit Two Color Brioche Rib in the Round / Funkasonic KAL

January 6, 2016 6 Comments

It’s a bit of a mouthful, but this is my favorite method for knitting vertical stripes. Kick off the Funkasonic Knit Along officially with this great video tutorial.

Learn how to cast on your knitting with the German Twisted Cast On, also known as the Old Norwegian Cast On. This is very similar to the Long Tail Cast On, but adds some useful stretch.

Old Norwegian Sock Cast On

January 4, 2016 6 Comments

This knitting cast on is similar to the widely-used long tail cast on, but includes an extra twist that provides added yarn to each stitch of the cast on, resulting in a stretchier cast on edge. This cast on is great for socks, mittens and sweater sleeves – really any edge you would want a little stretch for!

Knit the Funkasonic Mittens & Funkasonic Mukluks to keep toasty this winter!

Start the new year with the Funkasonic Knit Along! (+ giveaway!)

December 31, 2015 Leave a Comment

Why yes, you’re seeing that correctly! That’s TWO new, coordinating patterns from yours truly. I’m kicking off the new year with two patterns I’ve dubbed Funkasonic for their mesmerizing use of stripes! While they’re officially being released in my pattern shop on Friday, January 15, I’ve teamed up with PostStitch and Ewe Ewe Yarns to bring you a super special knit along with these two totally funky patterns this January.

Check out the Delta Hat, an asymmetrical cloche that's a blast to knit!

Wrapping up the Delta Hat KAL

August 31, 2015 1 Comment

Take a look at some of the amazing finished Delta Hats knitters have made during the Delta Hat knit along and find out who won the giveaway prizes.

Meet Balwen Woodworks | Hands Occupied

Meet Balwen Woodworks

August 18, 2015 Leave a Comment

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention something critical to the design process for my most recent pattern, the Delta Hat. The big difference between the Delta and other patterns I’ve released so far is that this one involves notions – buttons, to be precise. I wouldn’t be me, though, without finding some new and special way to put something unique into the design. In the Delta Hat’s case, it’s the button flap, designed with buttons from Balwen Woodworks.

Delta Hat Knit Along at Hands Occupied #DeltaHatKAL #bbrHandsOccupied

It’s the Delta Hat Knit Along!

August 10, 2015 2 Comments

I’m so excited to be partnering with Bijou Basin Ranch on this knit along for my new Delta Hat pattern. With a full rainbow of colors to choose from, I can’t wait to see the many color and button combos people knit Delta Hats in!

Spring Meadow Scarf Knit Along - Hands Occupied for All Free Knitting

Spring Meadow Scarf Knit Along Wrap-Up

June 29, 2015 Leave a Comment

The Spring Meadow Scarf Knit Along has come to an end, friends! You can visit the giveaway host, AllFreeKnitting, to find out who won the giveaway, and if you missed the week 6 tutorial video, it’s in this post!

Spring Meadow Scarf Knit Along Week 5

Spring Meadow Scarf KAL Week 5

June 16, 2015 1 Comment

Fern lace is one of my favorite lace patterns of all time, and in today, week 5 of 7 of the spring knit along, we’re getting the chance to knit another scarf section with it!

Spring Meadow Scarf Knit Along Week 4 - Learn how to knit star rib mesh!

Spring Meadow Scarf Knit Along Week 4

June 8, 2015 Leave a Comment

It’s the midway point of this knit along, friends! We’re at post 4 of 7, and we’re knitting the middle panel of the scarf this week.

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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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