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Hands Occupied

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

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spring

Picks of the Week for March 9, 2018 | Hands Occupied

Picks of the Week

March 9, 2018 Leave a Comment

This week’s picks are the springiest yet! Find Easter ideas, great layering pieces, baby projects, animal projects, and more. Hippity hoppity, friends – spring is just about here! 

Weekly Reader 04.11.14 | Hands Occupied

Weekly Reader

April 11, 2014 1 Comment

I can’t believe it’s Friday and I’m just now remembering to tell you guys about the wonder that was YarnCon. It’s a two day yarn/knitting/crochet/fiber/etc. show in Chicago. Last weekend was my first time attending, and I got to take workshops on new casting on techniques and entrelac with knitting designer Theresa Schabes, and I definitely bought some beautiful sock yarn from Icemelon’s Stash. I had a nerdy blast and can’t wait to practice my new skills!

Weekly Reader 03.21.14 | Hands Occupied

Weekly Reader

March 21, 2014 3 Comments

Easter is super late this year, on April 20, but that just means there’s extra time to fit in some springy Easter goodness! I haven’t usually gone all out on Easter crafts in the past – the closest I’ve gotten are chocolate eggs made in egg shells, and this crazy (yet I love it so hard) astro turf peter pan collar. 2014 might need to be the year I go eggs-out on the Easter crafting!

Weekly Reader 03.14.14 | Hands Occupied

Weekly Reader

March 14, 2014 1 Comment

In the crafting world (more so than my real life Chicago world), this week started to show some lovely and much welcome signs of spring! Some of the sweetest floral project ideas have started sprouting all over the place in recent weeks. I love it so much and am officially DIY inspired for spring. Now if only the weather would be a little more inspired, we’d be all set. For now, check out what’s got me so amped this week.

Little Fox Embroidery - Hands Occupied for The Good Weekly

Little Fox Embroidery (with pattern!)

April 17, 2013 1 Comment

Check out this quick, springy project featuring an adorable little fox!

How-to: Astro Turf Peter Pan Collar at HandsOccupied.com

How-to: Astro Turf Peter Pan Collar

March 25, 2013 Leave a Comment

Make a fun peter pan collar to celebrate spring!

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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 to knit throwing (a.k.a. English) style . How to to knit throwing (a.k.a. English) style 
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In knitting, there are a few common knitting styles. Most often you’re going to encounter continental style and English (throwing) style on your knitting journey. I recently had an old video teaching continental style get a lot of views. Based on the comments, it was clear the people wanted to also see a throwing tutorial, so here you go! 🧶
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Please note that there is a LOT of variation in knitting styles, and one isn’t necessarily better than another. Most often, I’ve found it comes down to two things: how you were taught and whether or not you’re really into colorwork knitting (which can involve a mix of styles). 
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Longer-term knitters who’ve made it this far: do you prefer one over the other? And why? 
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#handsoccupied #englishknitting #learntoknit #knitting #howtoknit #knittersofinstagram #knitting_inspiration
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
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