• 0 items$0.00
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Hands Occupied

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

  • BLOG
    • Knitting
    • Crochet
    • Latch Hook
    • Macramé
    • Punch Needle
  • ABOUT
  • Shop
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • TikTok
    • YouTube

latch hook

Non-Square Latch Hook Finishing Tutorial: Not all rug making projects have to be square, but finishing a latch hook project without square corners involves a different technique. Learn how to finish latch hook projects without square corners in this in-depth tutorial that helps you make modern latch hook projects!

Non-Square Latch Hook Finishing Tutorial

July 8, 2020 Leave a Comment

Not all rug making projects have to be square! Learn how to finish latch hook projects with curved and diagonal edges in this in-depth tutorial that helps you make modern latch hook projects.

Square Latch Hook Finishing Tutorial: Learn a simple, work-as-you-go method to save time during the latch hook finishing process.

Square Latch Hook Finishing Tutorial

July 1, 2020 2 Comments

Learn how to do finishing in latch hook projects with square edges. This is a work-as-you-go method that helps you save time during the rug finishing process.

A sneak peek at some of the design inspiration for Heidi Gustad's upcoming Latch Hook Book, fall 2020.

Latch Hook Book Design Inspo

May 29, 2020 Leave a Comment

An early sneak peek at the inspiration behind my new latch hook book, which publishes fall 2020!

Picks of the Week for May 15, 2020 | Hands Occupied

Picks of the Week

May 15, 2020 Leave a Comment

Find standout project inspiration to refresh your to-make list.

What's up, 2020? Check out this brand new blog post about what Heidi has been up to on Hands Occupied hiatus, and plans for the rest of the year to come, including some surprises!

What’s up, 2020? (No seriously, what is going on?)

April 4, 2020 Leave a Comment

What I’ve been up to on my book hiatus besides writing a book), and plans for the rest of the year to come, including some surprises!

I got this wild idea to make a giant pom pom costume using latch hook, so I gave it a go for Halloween. Take a closer look at this three dimensional rug-making project and its construction.

Attempting a Giant Pom Pom Costume

October 31, 2019 4 Comments

I got this wild idea to make a giant pom pom costume using latch hook, so I gave it a go for Halloween. Take a closer look at this three dimensional rug-making project and its construction.

Picks of the Week for August 24, 2018 | Hands Occupied

Picks of the Week

August 24, 2018 2 Comments

Latch hook is BACK, friends! Let’s hope more bloggers embrace this trend because it’s so very fun, easy & addictive. :)

Latch (Hook) the Rainbow - This simple, four-panel latch hook project is all about finding a way to beautifully use and share scraps from your yarn stash. Gather your yarn ends! Quilters get to use fabric scraps to create beautiful works of art from their leftovers. Why can't the same concept apply to yarn crafters? Learn all about how to make an intuitive latch hook project like this with a craft tutorial from professional Knit & Crochet Designer, Heidi Gustad of Hands Occupied.

Latch (Hook) the Rainbow: Tips & Tricks for Intuitive Latch Hooking

July 31, 2018 12 Comments

This simple, four-panel latch hook project is all about finding a way to beautifully use and share scraps from your yarn stash. Gather your yarn ends! Quilters get to use fabric scraps to create beautiful works of art from their leftovers. Why can’t the same concept apply to yarn crafters?

Even beginner crafters can make their own chic wall hanging with latch hook! Get the free pattern for the Primary Tiers Wall Hanging.

Tiered Colorblock Wall Hanging – Latch Hook Pattern

June 20, 2018 2 Comments

Check out this free pattern for a basic latch hook wall hanging. The Tiered Colorblock Wall Hanging features three kinds of yarn cut into different lengths, resulting in a visually interesting finished project that will add some color and whimsy to your home decor!

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Page 2
  • Page 3
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Heidi Gustad from Hands Occupied / Craft Book Author and Knitting, Crochet, Latch Hook and Macrame Designer

Hi! I’m Heidi (she/her/hers), and I’ve been helping yarn crafters untangle various techniques on the internet since 2010. I got my start here, as a blogger, and since then I’ve shared more than a few tutorials here and on YouTube as I’ve grown as a pattern designer. 🧶 

learn more / work with me

Find Me on Social Media

  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • TikTok
  • YouTube
Latch Hook by Heidi Gustad

Footer

INSTAGRAM

Heidi Gustad 🧶 knitting & yarn crafts

handsoccupied

Knitting & yarn crafts designer 🧶
.
Stay up-to-date 💌 & shop new patterns ⤵️

POV: Showing you how my new Bevelled Tank pattern POV: Showing you how my new Bevelled Tank pattern fits with no ease vs. 4” of positive ease. There’s a bit more length to the cotton (brighter color) sample, but both are cropped and feature shoulder seams designed to sit an inch back onto the shoulder instead of on top, giving it a little swing. Length is easily adjustable for folks looking for less of a crop. 
.
Pattern: Bevelled Tank by @handsoccupied for @pompommag x @hobbii_yarn summer 2024. Available for free from Hobbii at the 🔗 in my profile.
Yarn pictured: @kelbournewoolens Skipper and Camper. 
Dress form is adjusted to a 36” chest and ~5’3”ish in height. 
Human has a 40” chest and is 5’5”.
Both skirts are vintage.
.
#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #handsoccupied #intarsia #handmade #knitting #colorwork
Let’s talk about fit and ease! . During the Beve Let’s talk about fit and ease!
.
During the Bevelled Tank design process for @pompommag, I knit 2 samples using 2 different @KelbourneWoolens yarns. One was in Skipper (100% cotton, second photo) and the other was in Camper (100% 2 ply wool). The Skipper sample was knit for a 36” bust, which measures in at 40” with 4” of positive ease. And I knit the Camper Sample for my 40” bust with a 44” finished measurement. (BTW, I’m 5’5” for folks that find that measurement helpful in visualizing fit.)
.
Based on the size chart for the Bevelled Tank, that means I knit one size 3 sample and one size 4. As designed, I conveniently fit a size 4 as intended with 4” of positive ease. When I wear the 3, there is no ease at all because the garment and my body are both 40” in size. Comparing the 2 garments, you can see how the fiber content (cotton vs. wool) and fit (no ease vs. 4” of positive ease) makes a difference in the look and feel of the finished garment. 
.
These samples are a great way to compare what ease looks like on different bodies. While I can fit both a size 3 and 4, the garment with no ease feels more like pajamas or a bralette when I wear it. On the other hand, when I wear the one with 4” of positive ease, I feel comfortable enough to wear it to work, even as a crop top. Plus, it leaves me with enough room to layer it with a nice button down if I’m not feeling the cropped look one day. 
.
I’m curious - how would you style this tank? Would you modify it with a few stockinette rows for added length? I’m so curious now that this pattern is finally out in the world. :) 
.
#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #bevelledtank #handsoccupied #knitting #intarisa #handmade #kelbournewoolens #croppedsweater #summerknits
After a 6 month hiatus, I am happy to say I’m ba After a 6 month hiatus, I am happy to say I’m back with a brand new pattern in 9 sizes, and it’s FREE as part of @pompommag x @hobbii_yarn’s summer design collection! (Link is in my bio.)
.
In my December newsletter, I announced that I was soliciting test knitters for a pattern that had originally been selected for the summer ’24 issue of Pom Pom Quarterly magazine. However, the magazine ceased publication after its spring ’24 issue, leaving in-progress designs unpublished. (It happens.) As a result, I’d begun the long process of editing, testing, and photographing the pattern for independent release through the Hands Occupied pattern shop and Ravelry.
.
Before I was done with that process, Pom Pom Quarterly’s former editors reached out with an exciting proposal for the pattern. Post-magazine, they’ve begun to partner with yarn companies to produce high quality pattern collections. They wanted to include designs from the would-be current issue of Pom Pom Quarterly in a new collection for Hobbii yarn, including my Bevelled Tank. I worked with the same technical editors I would have for the magazine on this one, and as you can see from the photos, Pom Pom’s team did an amazing job of styling the garment to the beautiful standards they’re known for.
.
You can learn more about the pattern on my blog and get the free pattern from Hobbii yarn - links to both in my profile. I’ll post sizing info in the comments for quick reference too. 🧶
.
#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #knitting #intarsia #sponsored #colorworkknitting 
.
Photos: @dianascarrunz 
Model: @angel.jade_
Here’s a nice throwback for you: my take on a vi Here’s a nice throwback for you: my take on a vintage knitting pattern from 1938 called the Fernlace Pullover. A pattern so nice, I knit it twice.
.
Yellow version 💛: knit with Despondent Dyes’ Vintage Vixen Sport after attending a @squidneyknits vintage knitting retreat in 2019 & learning *so much*. Paired with a self-drafted circle skirt pattern. 
.
Blue version 💙: knit with @eweeweyarns Ewe So Sporty in Sky Blue. Paired with the 1940s Boardwalk Duet sewing pattern from @decades_of_style 
.
Head to my stories for 🔗🔗 to the handmade wardrobe blog posts I wrote about each take on the Fernlace Pullover, working with a vintage pattern, where to find vintage patterns (including the one I used), & some thoughts on sizing. 
.
Image descriptions available in alt text. 
.
#handsoccupied #handmadewardrobe #fernlacepullover #vintageknitting #vintageknittingpatterns #knitting_inspiration
Frogging is a word in the knitting world that mean Frogging is a word in the knitting world that means to rip out your knitting. It’s called frogging because frogs say “ribbit,” and when you’re tearing out your knitting, you will “rip it” out, and that sounds like ribbit. No really. 🐸 Did you know this fun fact? 
.
P.S. I did like this design concept, but to make the pattern more knitter friendly as well as more wearable, I am making some tweaks to the construction. Excited to share when it’s ready! 🥰🧶
.
Yarn: @blueskyfibers Woolstok North in Morning Frost & Highland Fleece 
.
#handsoccupied #knitting #frogging #blueskyfibers #knittersofinstagram #blueskymakers #knittingvocabulary #bsfmakers #knitdesign
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2025 / Foodie Pro Theme On Genesis Framework / Branding by Ink + Mortar
All Site & Shop Policies / Privacy Policy / Cookie Policy