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Hands Occupied

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

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Picks of the Week for July 29, 2016

Picks of the Week

July 29, 2016 2 Comments

I love how refreshing this collection of ideas is this week. You’ve got great tutorials on crochet projects, a knit tshirt yarn clutch (and you know I love those), and even that rare unicorn of a tutorial – a flower loom DIY!

Picks of the Week for October 30, 2015 | Hands Occupied

Picks of the Week

October 30, 2015 1 Comment

Tomorrow is Halloween! I’m super excited to get in my scarecrow getup again and have blast hanging out with friends and family.

10 of the most inspiring knitting patterns to kickstart your fall knitting!

Things to Knit

August 24, 2015 Leave a Comment

It’s hard to believe the last month of summer is winding down already! The great thing about being a knitter, though, is that the drop in temperatures and shortened days means knitting season is here. I know some knitters who only like to knit when it’s cold out, specifically around the winter holidays in many…

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10 of the most inspiring knitting patterns for summer - click through for how to get your hands on them all!

Things to Knit

June 30, 2015 3 Comments

After assembling this month’s Things to Knit, it’s very clear that shawls were big among indie designers in June. Shawls, shawl-shaped sweaters, and wraps were published in full force. It’s no surprise – with their adaptability to different kinds of weather and suitability to lightweight yarns, shawls and wraps are kind of the perfect summer knit.

10 Inspiring new patterns to cast on - click through for how to get your hands on them all!

Things to Knit

May 26, 2015 Leave a Comment

I love to browse Ravelry, blogs, magazines and Pinterest to round up the 10 patterns I’m most excited about that were released each month. May is a fantastic month to find inspiration because the spring and summer issues of magazines feature lots of interesting lightweight shawls and sweaters, plus fun toys and accessories.

The Chicken & The Egg - A look at a vintage Easter knitting project.

The Chicken & the Egg

April 1, 2015 2 Comments

What makes this unusual knit item so special isn’t just its handmade and vintage status. It’s a nice reminder about the value of handmade gifts – even ones as random as a chicken-shaped egg cozy!

Tips for Organizing Your Stash Digitally

Organizing Your Yarn Labels

March 18, 2015 1 Comment

When I finish a knitting project, or even just finish a skein of yarn, I’m often met with a slight dilemma: what to do with my yarn labels. For the longest time, I’d just shove them into the middled of a densely-packed gallon zipper bag, end of story. Then I started designing.

Inside the Knitting Pattern Design Process

Inside the Design Process

March 5, 2015 Leave a Comment

Like many pattern designers, my design process begins with knitting (or crocheting) swatches. Since I’m designing this in conjunction with a publisher, my editor and I have been emailing back and forth to decide which motifs are working for us both. A big help in the design process has been my new HP Sprout.

What do you buy when you're learning to knit from scratch? Check out this list of beginner supplies!

Knewbies | Supply List & Basic Cast On

February 4, 2015 3 Comments

The first Knewbies post is finally here! For those of you have never visited the blog before, welcome! And for anyone who is brand new to knitting, I’m hoping you’re as excited to learn to knit as I am about writing these tutorials. :)

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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 & pattern designer ❤️💛💙
knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé
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Please email for pattern support. 🧶

Heidi Gustad 🧶✂️
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
Spent time with family this weekend down South. Go Spent time with family this weekend down South. Got some stitching in & felt spring for a minute, which was lovely. ☀️ 
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I’ll be catching up on comments, etc. tomorrow. 
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#handsoccupied #travelknitting #planeknitting
Which way do you knit? Picking, throwing, Portugue Which way do you knit? Picking, throwing, Portuguese, Shetland… how about lever style? 
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Today on the blog, we’re defining & comparing the two most common knitting styles: continental and throwing. They’re each known by a few names, and odds are one of them really is your grandmother’s knitting style (if she’s a western knitter that is). There’s a new video to help demonstrate the differences too. Another good one to save & share! 😉 
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#handsoccupied #continentalknitting #englishknitting #americanknitting #howtoknit
This past weekend, my husband and I visited family This past weekend, my husband and I visited family out of state. Here’s what I packed to keep my hands occupied for the drive. 😉 
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I try my hardest to be realistic about how much knitting I’m going to get done vs. the effort of schlepping my WIP(s) and yarn around. I definitely almost brought double this amount of yarn, which would have been hilariously unnecessary for a weekend trip. Why am I like this? 😆 Do you also struggle with overpacking when it comes to crafts? 
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#handsoccupied #travelknitting #knitting #knitter #knittersofinstagram #knitting_inspiration
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