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Hands Occupied

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

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Sewing

Handmade Wardrobe: The TLC Caftan from Decades of Style. Is this pattern right for you? Read about easy moments, challenging moments, and lessons learned in the process of sewing this advanced beginner-friendly pattern.

The TLC Caftan / Handmade Wardrobe

May 14, 2019 Leave a Comment

Handmade Wardrobe: Is the TLC Caftan pattern from Decades of Style right for you? Read about easy moments, challenging moments, and lessons learned in the process of sewing this advanced beginner-friendly pattern.

Hey hey hey! It's Me Made May! - Read about one maker's Me Made May-inspired handmade wardrobe plans and goals, and how she plans to leverage a modest sewing skillset into a well-fitting, sustainable wardrobe.

Hey hey hey! It’s Me Made May!

May 7, 2019 Leave a Comment

Read about my Me Made May-inspired handmade wardrobe goals, and how I plan to leverage a modest sewing skillset into a well-fitting, sustainable wardrobe!

Click through for a Quilted Flower Tote tutorial and intro to English paper piecing. Fun, portable and easy!

Quilted Flower Tote & English Paper Piecing

May 11, 2015 6 Comments

English paper piecing is a method of hand quilting accomplished by sewing bits of fabric around cut out pieces of paper, and then sewing those together to form a quilt. Since I wish there was a little more fabric in my crafty life, today’s tutorial is an intro to the basics of English paper piecing and how to make a flower applique for jazzing up a tote bag.

Knitting Needle (or Pencil) Case DIY

Knitting Needle Case DIY

March 26, 2014 5 Comments

These fun little knitting needle pouches can also be used as a pencil or crochet hook case!

DIY FYI: Threading a Needle - How to thread a needle at Hands Occupied

DIY FYI: Threading a Needle

February 26, 2014 2 Comments

When I took an etextiles workshop last week, I was reminded that not everyone in the world can easily thread a needle. There are many people in this world (myself included when I have a tendonitis flare-up) who can’t grasp something as small as a piece of thread or hold it steadily enough to get it through a needle. Or maybe there’s a vision issue at play. Physical limitations aside, sometimes you’re just working with crazy thread! Read on for my top tip for getting your needle threaded so you can get down to DIY business!

DIY Light-up Cuff Bracelet at Hands Occupied

DIY Light-Up Cuff Bracelet

February 24, 2014 4 Comments

Etextiles are pretty cool, but somehow actually attempting an electronics project didn’t happen until this week. I’m so glad I finally took a workshop because they’re SO COOL. And not nearly as scary as I thought. Not by a long shot. Today’s tutorial covers the very basics of working with LED bulbs and creating a simple circuit with conductive thread to make a bracelet that lights up when you wear it.

How-to: DIY a Wide Belt at Hands Occupied

How-to: DIY a Wide Belt

November 25, 2013 7 Comments

Whip up a fun, flattering belt with just a few supplies!

How-to: Toothpick-Stamped Place Mats | Hands Occupied

How-to: Toothpick-Stamped Place Mats

November 18, 2013 1 Comment

Whip up some midcentury-inspired place mats for Thanksgiving!

How-to: Back Seat Pet Protector | Hands Occupied

How-to: Back Seat Pet Protector

November 14, 2013 12 Comments

How to sew your own back seat guard to keep your car clean and your pets comfy!

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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

Yarn craft designer & author. Into intarsia knits, latch hook, color & vintage-modern style.
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👇🏻 Book, Patterns, Tutorials

Heidi Gustad 🧶✂️
Sneaking in a few stitches in the shade. 😎 Sneaking in a few stitches in the shade. 😎
Another morning of filming! One of the knitting vi Another morning of filming! One of the knitting videos I’d like to release soon is a big overview of how to swatch and why - if you have any questions or favorite tips, let me know. 
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To be honest, I want to be able to link to this video as a resource when I get angry gauge questions, so please don’t hesitate to share your best tips. Together, we can tame the knitting Karens. 😆
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#stopswatchandblockit #handsoccupied #knitting #knittersofinstagram
A big issue I've had in the last year is putting t A big issue I've had in the last year is putting together new design work but not doing any independent releases of them. Chalk it up to anxiety, burn out, or whatever but here we are. 
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Last week I turned 35, so in honor of that here’s 3 things: 
❤️ a picture of me at my most stylish 
💛 a little glimpse at some of the design things I've recently been working on
💙a promise that I will be releasing some of the pictured designs this year. Getting back in the swing of things after taking it easy is hard 😆 - wish me luck!
Like a riding a bike! June guarded the neighborhoo Like a riding a bike! June guarded the neighborhood while I shot a new crochet tutorial today. With any luck, editing will go smoothly & I’ll be posting new videos to YouTube regularly soon! Got any requests for tutorial topics? 
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#handsoccupied #crochet #studiodog #crochettutorial
This yoke deserved a mid-blocking closeup, don’t This yoke deserved a mid-blocking closeup, don’t you think? ❤️💛💙
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Pattern: modified #soldotnacrop sweater / yarn: various from my stash
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