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Hands Occupied

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

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The Bijou Basin Ranch yaks enjoy some hay! - Take a look inside the yaks' lives in this mini documentary.

Throwback Thursday: Bijou Basin Ranch

June 23, 2016 Leave a Comment

Who knew you could make such gorgeous things with yak yarn?

Sponsor Spotlight - May 2016, Hands Occupied

Sponsor Spotlight

May 25, 2016 Leave a Comment

Today we’re taking a look at three yarn industry companies I’ve had the pleasure of designing for. All three of these have become favorites of mine. I fee like I always say this about yarn companies, but everyone I know who works for them is honestly really nice and passionate about what they do. Maybe that’s why I love the yarn world so much!

April Sponsor Spotlight at Hands Occupied

Sponsor Spotlight

April 21, 2016 Leave a Comment

Once again, we welcome Bijou Basin Ranch and Feel Good Yarn Company as sponsors this month, and I’m not mad about it.

March Sponsor Spotlight at Hands Occupied

Sponsor Spotlight

March 24, 2016 Leave a Comment

I’m so excited to have two favorite yarn companies as our sponsors this month! Each company makes yarns that feature special ingredients: Bijou Basin Ranch uses yak fiber in many of their yarns, and Feel Good Yarn Co. uses pure silver. Let’s take a closer look!

Get a free knitting pattern for an Outlander-inspired shawl, the Outlander Chevron Shawl from Hands Occupied

Get to know Bijou Basin Ranch + A Giveaway!

February 18, 2016 4 Comments

Get to know Bijou Basin Ranch and enter to win a skein of 100% cashmere yarn!

January Sponsor Spotlight at Hands Occupied

Sponsor Spotlight

January 21, 2016 Leave a Comment

I couldn’t do what I do here as a blogger without the support of the yarn community. From you, the readers, to the yarn and other needlearts companies I’ve been able to partner with, I love running this blog.

November Sponsor Spotlight at Hands Occupied

November Sponsor Spotlight

December 1, 2015 1 Comment

Get to know the Hands Occupied sponsors for November.

October Sponsor Spotlight at Hands Occupied

October Sponsor Spotlight

October 29, 2015 Leave a Comment

October is on its way out, which means it’s about time I highlight the great sponsors we have on board this month!

September Sponsor Spotlight at Hands Occupied

September Sponsor Spotlight

September 9, 2015 Leave a Comment

All four of our sponsors this month are women-driven companies based in the U.S. I love getting to spend time getting to know new yarn industry companies because it reminds me of one of the best things about being active in this community: the people. So many yarn industry folks have interesting stories to tell, and here are just a few worth getting to know!

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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 & pattern designer ❤️💛💙
knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé
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Please email for pattern support. 🧶

Heidi Gustad 🧶✂️
How to do a one-step provisional knitting cast on How to do a one-step provisional knitting cast on / a.k.a. crochet provisional cast on, scrap yarn cast on
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I read recently that tiktok and Instagram are being used as search engines more and more. 🤔 I thought since I’m going to all the work of making tutorials on YouTube, I should experiment with making a quick version of them for other platforms. There are obvious teaching limitations to vertical video, short-form content like this, but I think I covered the gist of this cast on in a minute. The YouTube version also covers how to unzip this cast on because there was time for it 👍🏻 L1nk is in my profile. 
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I’m very much looking for feedback as I continue to make instructional knitting & craft videos. Sometimes good tutorials are hard to find, and (ideally polite) feedback helps me improve. 
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#handsoccupied #provisionalcaston #knitting #knititngtutorial #knittersofinstagram #crochethook #knittingtutorial
For the first time in a long time, there’s a new For the first time in a long time, there’s a new tutorial from Hands Occupied! 🎉 The video is live on YouTube & the blog. 
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The post covers what provisional cast ons are & how they differ, and the video covers how to work a one-step provisional cast on using scrap yarn and a crochet hook. (This is a great one to save for future reference.)
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I learned several names for this method while researching this video & post. Crochet provisional cast on, one-step cast on, scrap yarn cast on - if you know even more names for this technique, please share! 
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#handsoccupied #provisionalcaston #knitting #scrapyarn #crochethook
Working on a sample for some upcoming videos. It’s an overcast day with intermittent sunshine & I have a scruffy little sidecar. 🐶 Can’t complain! 
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What’s on your needles this week? 
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Yarn: @debbieblissknits Cashmerino Aran 
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#handsoccupied #knitting #knittinglife
Peg boards and craft room organization go together Peg boards and craft room organization go together like peanut butter and jelly. So, as you can see, do latch hook tools and screwdriver organizers! 🪛 
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I think this trick translates to any tool with a thick handle, so leather working tools, punch needles, print making tools, etc. should work! What other tools am I, a needlecrafter, blanking on right now? 
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#craftorganization #handsoccupied #latchhook #latchhooking
Pegboard storage is my favorite for craft supplies Pegboard storage is my favorite for craft supplies, so getting a few hung in my new studio has been a priority. Here’s my first attempt. 🔨 
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Details: This pegboard panel is for organizing my knitting needles, latch hook tools, sewing thread, etc. It doesn’t need to hold much weight, so I didn’t anchor this into a stud - just used basic drywall anchors. I’ve also got a set of two 2’x4’ panels for another spot in my studio, and those will need a stud/more than 3 drywall anchors. Wish me luck! 
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[description: video features a woman hanging a panel of pegboard using a square dowel and drill]
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