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Hands Occupied

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

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purse

Picks of the Week for June 2, 2017 | Hands Occupied

Picks of the Week

June 2, 2017 2 Comments

This week’s picks really show a nice cross section of the kinds of projects you can make relatively quickly with crochet! Everything from a super adorable teddy bear pencil holder to a festival-ready bag to an elegant as heck reticule purse is represented here, and I think that’s great!

Try your hand at the easy-to-make Grab 'n Go Purse, a free crochet pattern that makes the most of fabric yarn!

Grab ‘n Go Purse – free crochet pattern!

May 22, 2017 6 Comments

With just 2 skeins of fabric yarn & a big crochet hook, this fun purse comes together easily in just one sitting. This will quickly become your go-to summer bag!

DIY Pencil Clutch - Get the tutorial at handsoccupied.com

DIY Pencil Clutch

August 25, 2014 19 Comments

A couple years ago, I made a clutch using rulers and felt that I am still pretty excited about and use all the time. Since I can’t get enough of all things bookish, I recently got the notion in my head to take the school supply clutch concept to the next level with pencils and a slightly different structure, and I think I might love this one even more!

Cross Body Phone Case Pattern with T-shirt Yarn at handsoccupied.com

Cross Body Phone Case Pattern

June 24, 2014 1 Comment

This design was inspired by summer days at the beach, by vacations spent riding bikes in flip flops. Those amazing days when all you need is a little pouch for your phone, money and keys that wears close to the body to stay out of the way. I made this pouch with one t-shirt’s worth of DIY yarn, and it came together in no time.

Weekly Reader 09.20.13 | Hands Occupied

Weekly Reader

September 20, 2013 Leave a Comment

I’ve got some great Halloween and DIY style project picks for you this week!

Swiss Army blanket inspiration | HandsOccupied.com

What to do with a Swiss Army blanket

January 25, 2013 Leave a Comment

10 truly excellent creations made with vintage Swiss Army blankets.

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Top 12 of 2012

December 31, 2012 Leave a Comment

The most read, visited, pinned and shared projects from the past year.

How-to: Knit Puffball Clutch

November 26, 2012 Leave a Comment

A handmade gift that knitters or non-knitters can make in a jiff!

How-to: Ruler Clutch Purse | HandsOccupied.com

How-to: Ruler Clutch Purse

September 4, 2012 3 Comments

Get schooled! Learn how to make your own adorkable clutch purse with yardsticks & felt.

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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 🧶✂️
Lol what have I done? 😅🫣😂 Only the back, Lol what have I done? 😅🫣😂 Only the back, sleeves & collar to go! 
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#handsoccupied #intarsia #knitting #knittersofinstagram #handknitting #seamedsweater #wip #wipwednesday #knitlove
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
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