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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 Latch Hook

May 3, 2018 4 Comments

Latch hook is back! Check out 9 inspiring ideas for a contemporary take on this shaggy, well-loved craft.

image & artist links at sources below

If you follow along on Instagram or Twitter, you’ll have noticed my recent obsession with a yarn craft of a totally different stripe than knit or crochet. My name is Heidi, and I’m obsessed with latch hooking. You heard me! Latch hook, as in those little charted rug/pillow kits every kid was making in the ’70s and ’80s when homecrafting was a bit more… shaggy than has been seen in recent years. However, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: latch hooking, really rug making in general, is back!

Personally, I think it’s born from an extension of the current popularity of pom poms, tassels and macrame in crafting and home decor. In a couple weeks, I’ll do a blog post-based deep dive into latch hooking history and also share a tutorial with you on how to tackle this fun and simple craft from a more contemporary perspective. For today, I just want to share 9 things to latch hook to inspire you to consider trying this would-be throwback of a craft. :)

First, let’s contextualize this post with a look at what you’re probably thinking of when you envision a latch hook project:

vintage clown latch hook kit found on eBay

vintage clown latch hook kit found on eBay

Now, check out what some amazing artists are doing with latch hook.

Yeah Wall Rug by Mae Engeleer

Yeah Wall Rug by Mae Engeleer

 gorgeous wall hangings by Etsy seller Jujujust (Also check out her incredible Instagram.)

gorgeous wall hangings by Etsy seller Jujujust (Also check out her incredible Instagram.)

latch hook wall mask by Alise Anderson (full pattern available in KOEL magazine issue 3)

Latch Hook Wall Mask by Alise Anderson (full pattern available in KOEL magazine issue 3)

Latch Hook Wall Hanging by Ouchflower / Philippa Taylor

Latch Hook Wall Hanging by Ouchflower / Philippa Taylor

An incredible latch hook WIP by Beci Orpin

An incredible latch hook WIP by Beci Orpin (Learn more about this piece at Yen Mag.)

DIY Latch Hook Wall Hanging via Honestly WTF

DIY Latch Hook Wall Hanging via Honestly WTF

DIY Latch Hook Rug via A Beautiful Mess

DIY Latch Hook Rug via A Beautiful Mess

DIY Wall Hanging & Tutorial by The Gathered Home

DIY Wall Hanging & Tutorial by The Gathered Home

Hoop Wall Weaving by The House that Lars Built

Hoop Wall Weaving by The House that Lars Built

Latch hook is back! Check out 9 inspiring ideas for a contemporary take on this shaggy, well-loved craft.

Want to try latch hook for yourself? Here are some great posts for beginners:

  • Latch Hook Basics Tutorial
  • Basic Latch Hook Finishing Tutorial
  • Tiered Colorblock Wall Hanging – free latch hook pattern

 

PS: If you’re an artist featured, do let me know if I’ve mis-credited anything or linked to the wrong place! 

This post contains affiliate links. 

Filed Under: Inspiration, Latch Hook, Yarn Crafts Tagged With: contemporary latch hook, latch hook inspiration, latch hook patterns, modern latch hook, things to latch hook

About Heidi

Heidi Gustad is a craft book author, designer & creator specializing in yarn crafts like knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé. Her first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is out now.

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Comments

  1. Jeannene

    April 27, 2019 at 9:10 am

    How can I follow you? Not seeing an author name.

    Reply
    • Heidi

      May 2, 2019 at 11:13 am

      I write this blog all by myself, so I don’t always include an author name. I’m Heidi, and you can find all of my social links in the navigation menu and sidebar. Or search @handsoccupied on most social networks. Nice to meet you! :)

      Reply
  2. Claire

    August 17, 2019 at 3:02 am

    That clown latch hook is too funny! I know exactly what you mean when envisaging “traditional”? latch hook. Have just purchased my first blank rug canvas and will have a go when I get time, inspired by these much prettier :) pieces. Thank You!

    Reply
    • Heidi

      August 19, 2019 at 4:05 pm

      You’re so welcome! It’s really fun (not to mention easy) to get creative with latch hook, I love it. :)

      Reply

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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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Weekend knitting design aftermath. Remember kids, Weekend knitting design aftermath. Remember kids, it’s always good to stop, swatch and block it. 🧶
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#stopswatchandblockit #handsoccupied
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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