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Hands Occupied

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

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things to knit

Fall knitting patterns have started to arrive! Find ten queue-worthy patterns in a new edition of Things to Knit.

Things to Knit

July 31, 2019 Leave a Comment

Fall knitting patterns have started to arrive! Find ten queue-worthy patterns in a new edition of Things to Knit.

Things to Knit - April 2019 on Hands Occupied

Things to Knit

April 16, 2019 Leave a Comment

There have been so many beautiful patterns coming out this spring – will one of these finds be on your to-make list?

Things to Knit - August 2018 on Hands Occupied

Things to Knit

August 20, 2018 Leave a Comment

Feast your eyes on ten amazing new knitting patterns for fall. These demure, beautiful, playful, and wearable new patterns can find a home on all of our to-make lists, don’t you think?

Spring doesn't mean that the weather will always cooperate - cast on one of these ten new patterns to keep cozy!

Things to Knit

April 16, 2018 1 Comment

Spring doesn’t mean that the weather will always cooperate – cast on one of these ten new patterns to keep cozy!

It's layering season! Check out ten of the best new knitting patterns for spring 2018. (Click through for all pattern links & sources.)

Things to Knit

March 12, 2018 2 Comments

Get all inspired to cast on your spring knits – take a look at 10 of the best brand new knitting patterns!

Check out ten new crush-worthy knitting patterns for winter from some of the best indie designers around!

Things to Knit

January 22, 2018 4 Comments

Goodness I love January. It may be a bit cold for some folks up north, but dang if those cold temps don’t bring out some of the most crush-worthy knit designs!

Looking for something to cast on this fall? Check out ten of the best newly-released patterns from October & November 2017.

Things to Knit

October 30, 2017 Leave a Comment

With the holidays looming and temps dropping in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s hard to choose exactly what to cast on next. There are so many beautiful patterns to pick from! Here are ten new patterns that really stand out – I want all of these in my wardrobe right now! Which is your favorite? 

August means it's time to start casting on your fall and early winter accessories to get them done in time for cold weather to hit! Click through to find ten of the best new patterns released in August 2017.

Things to Knit

August 22, 2017 Leave a Comment

August means it’s time to start casting on your fall and early winter accessories to get them done in time for cold weather to hit!

Summer is the best time to knit. Grab those needles and head outside with one of these stunning, newly-released knitting patterns!

Things to Knit

June 12, 2017 Leave a Comment

June pattern releases are interesting – you find some amazing, lighter weight patterns coming out this month! You often see accessories designed with more breathable materials, and lace panels featuring cute eyelet details abound. Why not try your hand at something new?

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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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