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Hands Occupied

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

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Remy Pullover Knit Along Day 2: It's Sleeve Time at handsoccupied.com

Knit Along Day 2: Sleeve time!

October 13, 2014 1 Comment

Great news! If you’ve finished knitting the body of your sweater, you’ve done the biggest chunk of knitting required for the whole Remy Pullover knit along! That’s one of the reasons I love bottom up sweaters – you get the biggest part of it out of the way first. :) Today is officially day 2, which makes it sleeve knitting time.

Knit Along Tips, Tricks & An Official Schedule at HandsOccupied.com

Knit Along Tips, Tricks & An Official Schedule

October 9, 2014 2 Comments

If you’re working on (or thinking about working on) the Remy Pullover for the fall knit along, the biggest chunk of knitting you’ll need to do is week 1, the body of the sweater. In case you’re just tuning in, you can check out the first week’s post and pattern and learn how to measure and calculate the perfect fit or your pullover. Today I want to share some tips and tricks for improving your knitting technique and, for knitters who might be scared of the cabling, how to knit cables!

Do the math, get the fit / Fall Knit Along Day 1 at handsoccupied.com

Do the math, get the fit / Fall Knit Along Day 1

October 1, 2014 3 Comments

It’s here! The fall knit along (KAL) featuring the Remy Pullover casts on… today! For this sweater, you’ll need to be able to knit in the round, purl, knit decreases, cast on and cast off.

Announcing the Fall Knit Along! The Remy Pullover at handsoccupied.com

Announcing the Fall Knit Along! The Remy Pullover

September 17, 2014 9 Comments

Ain’t he a beaut? Meet the Remy Pullover, my latest pattern and the sweater we’ll be knitting in this fall’s knit along. Last spring I did a little experiment with a sock knit along, and the response was awesome, so this fall, I figured it was time to do it again. And really embrace sweater weather while we’re at it. This fall’s knit along features this lovely cabled pullover with raglan sleeves (a pattern I’m calling the Remy Pullover) as our project!

Knit Along Day 5: The Toe! www.handsoccupied.com

Knit Along Day 5: The Toe!

May 13, 2014 8 Comments

We’re in the home stretch, knitters!! Today I’m going to show you all how to do a toe decrease, which, surpriii-iiise!, is way easier that the parts of sock knitting you’ve already mastered. Aren’t you excited?

Knit Along Day 4: The Gusset at Hands Occupied

Knit Along Day 4: The Gusset

May 6, 2014 17 Comments

This is a gusset. While is has one of the weirdest names in knitting, the gusset isn’t all that weird. Gussets actually appear in other parts of clothing to help make them fit over the many curves of the human body. In socks, the shape being addressed is just the part of the foot that gradually narrows from where your ankle meets your foot to the size it should be to fit your arch.

Knit Along Day 3: The Heel Turn | Hands Occupied

Knit Along Day 3: The Heel Turn

April 28, 2014 28 Comments

Before you turn the heel, this is what you’re working with – a ribbed leg that’s several inches long, and a 2.5-3 inch heel flap. Now all of a sudden, since humans’ feet are perpendicular to their legs, you’ve got to start knitting in a totally different direction than you have been! Plus, half your sock is chilling up on the top of your foot, and the other half is down at the base of your heel. First time knitters, you’re probably thinking this is pretty weird about now, amirite?

The first Hands Occupied knit along!

The First Hands Occupied Knit Along!

April 3, 2014 5 Comments

I have a big announcement – I’ve decided to finally take the plunge and host a knit along right here on Hands Occupied! Starting April 15, we’ll be knitting a pair of socks, top down style, on double pointed needles (a.k.a. DPNs). This is a great knit along for intermediate knitters who want to try socks (or using DPNs) for the first time!

Weekly Reader 03.28.14 | Hands Occupied

Weekly Reader

March 28, 2014 Leave a Comment

I’ll be spending this weekend on a trip, hopefully getting some much-needed R&R, and maybe sneaking in a bit of knitting & crochet while I’m at it. I’ve got a couple of ideas in the works for some springier patterns, and I really want to get a sock knit along going! Anybody out there got tips for how to host the chillest, yet most interesting sock KAL around? I knit to relax and want to host this soon-to-happen KAL in that same zen spirit. Please don’t hesitate to email or comment with thoughts on what you think works (or doesn’t) – I’m dying to know!

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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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