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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 101

Learn how to master the Long Tail Cast On, the most widely used cast on in knitting. This tutorial includes instructions for how to estimate your long tail length, as well as how to begin this cast on *without* a slip knot!

Learn 2 Long Tail Cast Ons

January 17, 2018 Leave a Comment

A close look at two different long tail cast ons, the regular Long Tail Cast On and the German Twisted Cast On.

Learn everything you need to know to master slip knots, the Knitted Cast On, and the Cable Cast On in knitting.

Master the Knitted and Cable Cast Ons

January 11, 2018 2 Comments

It’s a new year, so let’s start things off by taking a close look at different knitting cast ons. In this post, you’ll learn everything you need to know to master slip knots, the Knitted Cast On, and the Cable Cast On in knitting.

Chunky Ribbed Cowl - Click through for the free knitting pattern!

Chunky Ribbed Cowl & How to Knit Rib Stitch

March 16, 2015 1 Comment

Spring has almost sprung, but that doesn’t mean cowl weather has left us just yet. Knit yourself a quick and easy chunky cowl to help keep a stiff spring breeze off your neck with this beginner friendly Chunky Ribbed Cowl Pattern.

How to do a purl stitch - knitting 101 tutorial with video

Knewbies | How to Purl

March 9, 2015 Leave a Comment

Learn how to master the second most important stitch you need to know in knitting, the purl stitch.

Knewbies | How to Bind Off | Hands Occupied

Knewbies | How to Bind Off

March 4, 2015 Leave a Comment

Casting on, learning a stitch or two, and binding off are the three skills you need as a knitter to do a project from start to finish on your own. Check out this tutorial for how to knit a basic bind off.

The Newbie Fringe Scarf - A free beginner pattern!

Newbie Fringe Scarf Pattern

March 2, 2015 2 Comments

This absolute beginner-friendly pattern is knit entirely in garter stitch, which means you only have to know how to do a basic cast on, knit stitch, and a basic bind off.

How to read yarn labels - an easy guide to understanding what each symbol means for your knitting projects

Knewbies | How to Read Yarn Labels

February 16, 2015 6 Comments

Long time knitters know that you need to understand your yarn labels to know how to make & take care of the things you knit. Even beginning knitters need to know what all the little symbols and weights and dye lots (etc.) mean to be a successful knitter. Today I’m going to go over what to look for in your yarn labels, whether you’re looking at big box craft store yarns or indie handspun & dyed yarns.

How to do a knit stitch - knitting 101 tutorial with video

Knewbies | How to knit

February 11, 2015 8 Comments

Also known as the first day of your knitting life, the day you learn how to do a knit stitch is an important one. Just like anything else, it takes a bit of practice to get it down, but once your muscles memorize the rhythm of the knit stitch, basic knitting will become the knitting-is-the-new-yoga type of relaxing that you hear people talk about.

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 🧶✂️
How to to knit throwing (a.k.a. English) style . How to to knit throwing (a.k.a. English) style 
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In knitting, there are a few common knitting styles. Most often you’re going to encounter continental style and English (throwing) style on your knitting journey. I recently had an old video teaching continental style get a lot of views. Based on the comments, it was clear the people wanted to also see a throwing tutorial, so here you go! 🧶
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Please note that there is a LOT of variation in knitting styles, and one isn’t necessarily better than another. Most often, I’ve found it comes down to two things: how you were taught and whether or not you’re really into colorwork knitting (which can involve a mix of styles). 
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Longer-term knitters who’ve made it this far: do you prefer one over the other? And why? 
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#handsoccupied #englishknitting #learntoknit #knitting #howtoknit #knittersofinstagram #knitting_inspiration
How to do a one-step provisional knitting cast on How to do a one-step provisional knitting cast on / a.k.a. crochet provisional cast on, scrap yarn cast on
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I read recently that tiktok and Instagram are being used as search engines more and more. 🤔 I thought since I’m going to all the work of making tutorials on YouTube, I should experiment with making a quick version of them for other platforms. There are obvious teaching limitations to vertical video, short-form content like this, but I think I covered the gist of this cast on in a minute. The YouTube version also covers how to unzip this cast on because there was time for it 👍🏻 L1nk is in my profile. 
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I’m very much looking for feedback as I continue to make instructional knitting & craft videos. Sometimes good tutorials are hard to find, and (ideally polite) feedback helps me improve. 
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#handsoccupied #provisionalcaston #knitting #knititngtutorial #knittersofinstagram #crochethook #knittingtutorial
For the first time in a long time, there’s a new For the first time in a long time, there’s a new tutorial from Hands Occupied! 🎉 The video is live on YouTube & the blog. 
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The post covers what provisional cast ons are & how they differ, and the video covers how to work a one-step provisional cast on using scrap yarn and a crochet hook. (This is a great one to save for future reference.)
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I learned several names for this method while researching this video & post. Crochet provisional cast on, one-step cast on, scrap yarn cast on - if you know even more names for this technique, please share! 
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#handsoccupied #provisionalcaston #knitting #scrapyarn #crochethook
Working on a sample for some upcoming videos. It’s an overcast day with intermittent sunshine & I have a scruffy little sidecar. 🐶 Can’t complain! 
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What’s on your needles this week? 
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Yarn: @debbieblissknits Cashmerino Aran 
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#handsoccupied #knitting #knittinglife
Peg boards and craft room organization go together Peg boards and craft room organization go together like peanut butter and jelly. So, as you can see, do latch hook tools and screwdriver organizers! 🪛 
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I think this trick translates to any tool with a thick handle, so leather working tools, punch needles, print making tools, etc. should work! What other tools am I, a needlecrafter, blanking on right now? 
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#craftorganization #handsoccupied #latchhook #latchhooking
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