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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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Helping yarn crafters untangle various techniques on the internet since 2010
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Heidi Gustad 🧶 knitting & yarn crafts
It’s time for the monthly review and giveaway! T It’s time for the monthly review and giveaway! This go around, get to know two new sister yarns from @manosyarnsusa, Marla and Sami, and enter to win a skein of each to try for yourself. 
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What makes these yarns sisters is that, while dyed differently, they’re the same weight and come in intentionally coordinating color palettes. For my review, I opted for a sky-inspired combo of Sami in Natural and Marla in Nube. 🌧️ 
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Check out the full review & enter the giveaway at the link in my bio. 
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#handsoccupied #yarnreview #manosdeluruguay #knitting_inspire #crochet #yarngiveaway #knitters #yarn #crochetersofinstagram
If only knitting a whole project took 39 seconds… 😮‍💨 
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In this video, you can see how the Intarsia Flower Pillow pattern knits up - two flat panels, one with intarsia, both are blocked, and then they’re seamed. Find the pattern on @hi.ravelry & my website, just search Intarsia Flower Pillow. 🌸 
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P.S. I’m really smiling in this video while seaming the pillow, so I guess I’m proving last week’s claim that I truly enjoy that sometimes-dreaded task. 😆🫣
In knitting, a Left Lifted Increase (LLI) lets you In knitting, a Left Lifted Increase (LLI) lets you add a stitch in between two columns of stitches that leans to the left. Similar to an M1L, LLIs allow you to increase nearly invisibly.
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To learn more about lifted increases, including when to use them and how they differ from Make 1s, head to the 🔗 in my profle. 
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Have you ever used lifted increases? I used M1’s almost exclusively for a long time when I needed to inc between stitches, but when I designed the Intarsia Flower Pillow pattern, I needed something that would allow me to increase a lot near my cast on, and M1’s resulted in edge curling. The more you know! 🌈 
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Yarn: @lionbrandyarn Wool Ease from my Stash / Neddles: @boyeyarncrafts - Just remembered these are the needles I learned to knit on at age 8. 😂
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Last week I got to hang out with my family & helpe Last week I got to hang out with my family & helped babysit my red-headed niece and nephew. So here’s some plane knitting, and a couple pictures (shared with permission) of my babysitting adventures.
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Lessons learned: 1️⃣ Trying to knit around 2 toddlers, 2 cats & 2 large dogs is pretty hard. 2️⃣ I learned during water color time that pink and black make “colorful black.” 🩷🖤 3️⃣ Toddlers do NOT care about your rainbow sorting of their toys. 4️⃣ Toddlers are very good at finding mischief in a very short amount of time, what a surprise. 😂
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Weaving in ends & seaming with mattress stitch are Weaving in ends & seaming with mattress stitch are both so useful for garment knitting! But for me, weaving in ends can feel like a chore while the latter feels like I’ve successfully done magic. 🧙🏻‍♀️ Does anybody else run into this phenomenon? Are you the opposite? Any theories as to why they feel different? 
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In this video, I’m finishing my brand new Intarsia Flower Pillow. 🌸 I’m working with @universal_yarn Uni Merino & the pattern is available at the 🔗 in my b1o. 
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