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Hands Occupied

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

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lion brand yarn

Learn how to knit Square 20 of the Traveling Knit Afghan featuring the triangle rib stitch. Free pattern and video tutorial available!

Traveling Afghans Knit Square 20 & Triangle Rib Tutorial

October 5, 2020 6 Comments

Learn how to knit Square 20 of the Traveling Knit Afghan featuring the triangle rib stitch. Free pattern and video tutorial available!

Scandinavian Advent Calendar - free crochet pattern -- An advent calendar is a great way to make your own keepsake Christmas decoration and build a family tradition for years to come. The Scandinavian Advent Calendar is great for crocheters at almost any skill level and is inspired by beautiful holiday decor found in Scandinavia. This pattern features basic embroidery stitches for added texture and a handmade look.

Scandinavian Advent Calendar

November 6, 2018 1 Comment

An advent calendar is a great way to make your own keepsake Christmas decoration and build a family tradition for years to come. The beginner-friendly Scandinavian Advent Calendar is a fun, free crochet pattern featuring mostly single crochet stitches and basic embroidery for a handmade, homey look.

Knit or crochet some adorable ornaments to trim your tree! Join Hands Occupied this holiday season to make Christmas ornaments with free patterns all season along. Each ornament doubles as a great gift topper & stocking stuffer!

Twelve Ornaments of Christmas, Volume Two!

November 16, 2016 2 Comments

Tuck in with your yarn and a cup of cocoa to to create something sweet this holiday season. We’ll knit and crochet ornaments to trim our trees, top our presents, and stuff our stockings starting November 28.

Yarns from Ewe Ewe, Manos del Uruguary, Lion Brand & Mountain Meadow Wool

Currently Knitting

October 26, 2015 1 Comment

Knitting season is in full swing, and I’ve been busy developing and working on a lot of designs for winter and spring releases this month. Based on where I’m at with sketching, collaborating, swatching, designing and finally knitting these new creations, you guys can brace yourself for lots of winter accessories, and even a fun baby project headed your way!

The Remy Pullover Sweater by Hands Occupied

The Remy Pullover Sweater (& Lion Brand Giveaway Winner!)

December 2, 2014 Leave a Comment

I wanted the Remy to be a really comfortable sweater that’s warm, but not too warm. The cables and demi-boatneck collar lend it to doubling as both a casual and formal sweater. After knitting a whole, human-sized sweater, you want it to be useful, right?

How to Knit a Three Needle Bind Off at Hands Occupied

How to Knit a Three Needle Bind Off / Knit Along Day 7

November 17, 2014 3 Comments

We’ve come to the end, my friends. This is the last tutorial day in the fall knit along. Since I know many of you are not quite at the finishing point, never fear! I’ve decided to extend the giveaway deadline through the end of the month to give everyone a fair chance (and Thanksgiving weekend if you’re in the U.S.) to finish your sweaters. Full and updated giveaway details are at the bottom of this post.

How to knit the Remy Pullover's Collar | handsoccupied.com

Knitting the Collar / Knit Along Day 6

November 13, 2014 3 Comments

I’ve said it before, but we are so very close to finishing our Remy Pullover sweaters! The last two steps, the first of which I’ll share with you today, are so easy too. You’re basically out of the woods on the Remy if you’ve made it this far!

Knit Along Day 3: The Other Sleeve at handsoccupied.com

Knit Along Day 3: The Other Sleeve

October 20, 2014 Leave a Comment

Last week’s installment of the fall knit along featured the pattern for the first sleeve for your Remy Pullover. This week is a bit of a repeat since it’s time for sleeve 2 of 2. There are a couple of variations you can do if you are a knitter who hates knitting things like mittens, socks and sweater sleeves. You know, projects that involve knitting things twice.

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!

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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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