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Hands Occupied

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

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sweater

Looking for something new to knit? These early fall patterns are to die for!

Things to Knit

July 20, 2016 Leave a Comment

Looking for something new to knit? These early fall patterns are to die for!

Anyone who doesn't think spring and summer are great times to knit is missing out! Cast on one of these beautiful late spring shawls and sweaters to keep knitting all summer long.

Things to Knit

June 1, 2016 3 Comments

Anyone who doesn’t think spring and summer are great times to knit is missing out! Cast on one of these beautiful late spring shawls and sweaters to keep knitting all summer long.

Picks of the Week for October 9, 2015 | Hands Occupied

Picks of the Week

October 9, 2015 1 Comment

When this goes live, I’ll be hanging out in a hotel room in the rainy Bahamas. As someone who loves reading, crafts and other general indoor activities, I think I’ll probably still enjoy the crap out of unplugging for the week. This week’s picks are (if you couldn’t guess it) all from last weekend, but they’re still 100% picks-worthy, scout’s honor!

10 of the most inspiring knitting patterns to kickstart your fall knitting!

Things to Knit

August 24, 2015 Leave a Comment

It’s hard to believe the last month of summer is winding down already! The great thing about being a knitter, though, is that the drop in temperatures and shortened days means knitting season is here. I know some knitters who only like to knit when it’s cold out, specifically around the winter holidays in many…

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How to attach sleeves / Knit Along Day 4 at handsoccupied.com

How to attach sleeves / Knit Along Day 4

October 28, 2014 2 Comments

It’s sleeve attachment day! Today is the day your sweaters will start looking a LOT like sweaters, people! Despite how long this post is, attaching the sleeves really isn’t all that complicated. I just want to give you guys a thorough overview of the mechanics of how to attach bottom-up sweater sleeves. Since we’re dealing with math, words and photos (and a couple of animated GIFs, because I couldn’t help myself and do think they’re helpful), this post is long, but I think it really will help you understand sweater making! Let’s dive in, shall we?

Remy Pullover Knit Along Day 2: It's Sleeve Time at handsoccupied.com

Knit Along Day 2: Sleeve time!

October 13, 2014 1 Comment

Great news! If you’ve finished knitting the body of your sweater, you’ve done the biggest chunk of knitting required for the whole Remy Pullover knit along! That’s one of the reasons I love bottom up sweaters – you get the biggest part of it out of the way first. :) Today is officially day 2, which makes it sleeve knitting time.

Do the math, get the fit / Fall Knit Along Day 1 at handsoccupied.com

Do the math, get the fit / Fall Knit Along Day 1

October 1, 2014 3 Comments

It’s here! The fall knit along (KAL) featuring the Remy Pullover casts on… today! For this sweater, you’ll need to be able to knit in the round, purl, knit decreases, cast on and cast off.

Knitting & Crochet Picks of the Week at handsoccupied.com

Weekly Reader

June 13, 2014 Leave a Comment

There were a lot of great new knitting and crochet projects posted this week! Home decor, summer patterns for keeping just the right amount of warm (or cool), fun toys and more were all well-represented. I want to sip a homemade iced tea in a crochet cozy while wearing that striped sweater every afternoon for the next three months. And don’t you just love the crocheted balls with subtle striping?

A Hard Knit Life

February 21, 2011 Leave a Comment

On reaching a new level of knitting skills, finishing my first pair of socks, and learning to knit left-handed.

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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 🧶✂️
Learn how to do the magic loop method for knitting Learn how to do the magic loop method for knitting in the round in 90 seconds. / Using the magic loop allows knitters to work in the round with a single, long circular needle at a range of circumferences. 
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For a longer, full-width & more detailed overview of magic loop knitting, check out my u2be & b1og, the 🔗🔗 are where you’d think. 🧶
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#handsoccupied #magicloop #knitting #howtoknit #learntoknit #knitter #knittinginspiration #knittinginstagram #knittingintheround
Since it won’t be clean for long, swipe to see w Since it won’t be clean for long, swipe to see what my home studio looks like these days. Nothing will ever quite be like the old Hands Occupied Studio, but I’m pretty pleased with how I shoehorned everything in this space. Function over form + a layer of yarn cuteness-meets-chaos is how I’d describe my creative space needs. 😆 When I was still renting the studio, those needs included “doesn’t rain suspicious brown water from a crack in the ceiling for a year,” so this is an improvement! 😆
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For a time lapse of the studio organizing and tszuj-ing process, scroll down a couple posts on my feed. (There’s also a video or two featuring the old studio if you’re curious.) Happy June, friends! 
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#handsoccupied #handsoccupiedstudio #knitdesigner #craftdesign #yarncrafts #latchhook #makerlife #heidigustad #chicagocrafter
Who doesn’t love magic loop knitting? Who doesn’t know what it is? How about when circular needles were invented?
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In todays new bl0g post + video tutorial, you’ll learn about the magic loop method for knitting in the round, how to do it and why to use it, and when it came to be. The 🔗 is in my b1o. 🧶 
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#handsoccupied #magicloop #knitting #howtoknit #knittinginspiration #knittingintheround
Finally organizing & putting the finishing touches Finally organizing & putting the finishing touches on my home studio. After losing my studio space last fall, it’s feels really great to *occupy* this new space all the way. 😉
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I started by removing general clutter & returning straggler supplies from various WIPs, videos & design deadlines to their homes. Next, I hung a third peg board in the space - this one is mostly for display and less for organizing tools or projects. For the first time ever, I’m displaying projects from my book, plus a couple other faves. (The best thing about designing more yarn crafts besides knit & crochet is that I have some really fun -and delightfully pettable 😆- samples around.) I finished by adding a square dowel to my small supply storage tower to keep it from tipping over, plus re-arranging and de-cluttering the closet. 
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This cleaner space already has me feeling so much more creative and less overwhelmed. Now to find a safe spot in the basement for the tower of project samples in Rubbermaid tubs I liberated from my WIPs closet. Also why are there five?! 
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Here’s to keeping it clean for a few weeks! 🧶 
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#handsocupied #handsoccupiedstudio #craftroom #craftroomorganization #craftroomstorage #yarncraft #knitter #crocheter #latchhook #latchhookbook
It’s a disaster in here and my video microphone It’s a disaster in here and my video microphone isn’t cooperating, but it could be worse! How’s your day? 
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(If we haven’t yet met, I’m Heidi and I’m a pattern designer and tutorial creator specializing in yarn crafts like knitting & latch hook. You can learn more about my work and regularly find new tutorials in my profile. ☺️👋🏻)
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#handsoccupied #craftstudio #knitter #yarncrafter
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