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Hands Occupied

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

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punch needle

There’s a new series on the Hands Occupied YouTube channel called Design Diaries. In these videos, I walk you through the process of making original craft project designs from scratch. The first episode features something professional wrestling fans will recognize as a punch needle take on the WWE's Universal Championship title belt.

Yarniversal Championship Belt Design Diary & A New YouTube Series

April 16, 2021 Leave a Comment

Let’s take a look at how my recent obsession with professional wrestling resulted in a wooly reimagining of the WWE’s Universal Championship title belt, just in time for Wrestlemania. I share how I took this project from a grief-induced grain of inspiration and crafted a fully functional belt combining basic embroidery and punch needle rug hooking.

Picks of the Week for June 26, 2020 | Hands Occupied

Picks of the Week

June 26, 2020 Leave a Comment

Punch needle, crochet & pom poms are all awesome summer-friendly craft ideas, especially for quick-gratification projects.

Picks of the Week for June 12, 2020 | Hands Occupied

Picks of the Week

June 12, 2020 Leave a Comment

Scrolling through new summery yarn ideas can be creatively invigorating. There are different colors and fibers on display this time of year – check out these new ideas for the season!

Learn how to make these planet-inspired punch needle throw pillows using embroidery hoops!

Planetary Punch Needle Pillows

November 6, 2019 Leave a Comment

Learn how to make these planet-inspired punch needle throw pillows using embroidery hoops!

Picks of the Week for April 5, 2019 | Hands Occupied

Picks of the Week

April 5, 2019 Leave a Comment

Peter Cottontail is certainly on his way – bring on the Eastery ideas!

Weaving in your ends on a punch needle project is easy! Check out this step-by-step tutorial for tips and tricks for hiding and securing your punch needle rug hooking tails.

How to Weave in Punch Needle Ends

April 3, 2019 Leave a Comment

Weaving in your ends on a punch needle project is easy! Check out this step-by-step tutorial for tips and tricks for hiding and securing your punch needle rug hooking tails.

Also known as punch hooking, punch needle is an easy-to-learn technique for making your own rugs, tapestries and more! Get to know the basics with this quickstart tutorial.

Punch Needle Rug Hooking Basics

March 14, 2019 4 Comments

Also known as punch hooking, punch needle is an easy-to-learn technique for making your own rugs, tapestries and more! Get to know the basics with this quickstart tutorial.

Find twelve inspiring works of art made with punch needle. Both a rug-making and embroidery technique, punch needle can be used to craft some amazing things with string! Click through for artist/seller names and image sources.

Things to Punch Needle

February 21, 2019 Leave a Comment

Ever heard of punch needle? Get to know this fun rug making and embroidery technique, and find inspiration to give it a try with 12 amazing punch needle works of art!

Picks of the Week for March 30, 2018 | Hands Occupied

Picks of the Week

March 30, 2018 Leave a Comment

It looks like this Easter season is all about neutrals and pastels coming together. We keep seeing a lot of light oranges, pinks & yellows, along with earthy browns and tans, and the ever-persistent greys and creams.

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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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