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Hands Occupied

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

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reader survey

Knit yourself a quick cowl that doubles as a hood - a snood! The Checked Snood is a colorful, geometric knitting pattern that uses 3 colors of Berroco Brielle to create a stunning, versatile accessory you'll wear from fall to spring. Bonus: it's a free pattern!

Reader Survey Results

January 9, 2019 Leave a Comment

Did you participate in this year’s reader survey? Curious to hear where Hands Occupied is headed in 2019? This post has the skinny on how we’ve been doing and what’s next.

Intarsia Mountain, a knitting pattern designed by Heidi Gustad

Reader Survey: What do you want to see in the new year?

December 27, 2018 6 Comments

Help steer Hands Occupied in 2019 by leaving some much-appreciated feedback. And survey respondents can enter to win a $75 KnitPicks gift card for participating!

2015 Reader Survey Results! at Hands Occupied

Survey Results!

February 10, 2015 2 Comments

You guys had so many useful, funny, practical, nice things to say in this year’s reader survey! I’ve got a mess o’ charts coming at you in this post if you’re curious to see what everyone had to say on the multiple choice questions, and below that you’ll find my answers to some of your burning questions that may or may not have to do with my sometimes-orange hair, book recommendations, favorite needles and hooks, and my caffeine intake.

2015 Hands Occupied Reader Survey

Reader Survey 2K15!

January 28, 2015 5 Comments

It’s survey time, folks! That time of year when I ask you 10 quick questions about how Hands Occupied is doing, what you’d like to see on the blog, and what I can do better.

Reader Survey Results (& Giveaway Winners!) at handsoccupied.com

Reader Survey Results (& Giveaway Winners!)

July 22, 2014 1 Comment

Thank you so so much to everyone who completed the Reader Survey this year! It’s clear that I’ve got a bunch of knitters and crocheters on my hands these days, and you guys want patterns, tips, knit alongs and crochet ideas. Don’t worry, non-needlers, I will still be doing other DIYs! I do need some time, after all, to develop new patterns and knit or crochet them up.

Hands Occupied 2014 Reader Survey (& a giveaway!) - handsoccupied.com

Hands Occupied 2014 Reader Survey (& a giveaway!)

July 1, 2014 6 Comments

It’s been a little over a year since I did my first reader survey for Hands Occupied. I learned so much and I helped me know a little bit about what direction you’d like to see this blog go in. Thanks in part to that survey and your continued feedback in the comments (which is amazing!), a lot’s changed since May 2013. So now, 14 months later, I’ve got a survey for you to see what you’d like to see more (or less) (or WAY more) of from me and from Hands Occupied.

Survey Says…

May 23, 2013 1 Comment

Find out what people think of Hands Occupied with the help of colorful pie charts.

Take the Hands Occupied Reader Survey

Wanted: Your Thoughts!

May 1, 2013 Leave a Comment

Do me a solid?

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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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