• 0 items$0.00
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Hands Occupied

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

  • BLOG
    • Knitting
    • Crochet
    • Latch Hook
    • Macramé
    • Punch Needle
  • ABOUT
  • Shop
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • YouTube

Weaving in the ends on our first RALCAL

May 1, 2018 4 Comments

Crochet the Worker Bee Bag & Worker Bee Clutch! This adorable bag uses filet crochet, baubles, and elongated stitches to create a fun, textural piece perfect for spring!
With over 150 posts in the Ravelry Group, 164 favorites for the Worker Bee Bag pattern on Ravelry, and almost 500 pattern downloads, the first Read Along Crochet Along was definitely a success! I’ll admit I was a little scared to split our fall and spring Read Alongs into knitting for the fall and crochet for the spring. What if the folks who are knit-exclusive felt excluded? What if the crocheters weren’t into the concept? What if people wanted to strangle me with my own yarn for including a challenging stitch? In the end, it all worked out, and we had a blast reading, crocheting, and sharing tips for success during the first crochet along on Hands Occupied.

A look at the first Read Along Crochet Along!

One of the best things about each fall and spring read along is looking back on the moments of friendship that happened while we all worked and read and learned together. Ok, maybe that sounds a little Pollyanna, but I mean it! Every week at the Read Along IRL* and every day in the Ravelry Group and on social media, there’s inevitably a fun moment. Sometimes it was someone sharing success in crocheting our Worker Bee Bag. (Ahem, the struggle was real for all of us with the bees. As usual, I swear I’m not a monster, but I fully understand if you cursed my name the first time you tried the Worker Bee Stitch.) Sometimes it was sharing a super adult moment in person after a couple glasses of wine or too much candy. I really, really just love getting to know you all during the Read Along every time! Read on for a look at some of my favorite shares from this RALCAL.

*By the way, I promise that we’ll incorporate a live stream with the fall Read Along IRL, so everyone can participate! I just have to figure out logistics and set myself a reminder to actually do it. ;) 

Supplies to crochet the Worker Bee Bag.

Janice was the first to gather & share her Worker Bee Bag supplies & copy of The Beekeeper’s Apprentice with the Ravelry Group.

Crochet the Worker Bee Bag & Worker Bee Clutch! This adorable bag uses filet crochet, baubles, and elongated stitches to create a fun, textural piece perfect for spring!

Mariah & Mannvitha’s Worker Bee Bag WIPs!

Crochet oval bag base from the Worker Bee Bag.

Mary’s beautifully-tensioned Worker Bee Bag base, shared in the Ravelry Group.

Crochet the Worker Bee Bag & Worker Bee Clutch! This adorable bag uses filet crochet, baubles, and elongated stitches to create a fun, textural piece perfect for spring!

Crocheters compare notes at Read Along IRL. 

Crochet the Worker Bee Bag & Worker Bee Clutch! This adorable bag uses filet crochet, baubles, and elongated stitches to create a fun, textural piece perfect for spring!

One of the most popular posts of the whole RALCAL was this beauty from @fireflyfiberarts. 

The crew at Read Along IRL, spring 2018, at Firefly Fiber Arts.

The Read Along IRL crew from week 3 of RALCAL.

A closer look at the Read Along Crochet Along prize pack on Hands Occupied, featuring a Darn Good Yarn yarn bowl, bag handles from Jul Designs, a Love & Leche lotion bar, and yarn from Why Knot Fibers.
PS: Don’t forget to tune in to Friday’s Picks of the Week post to find out if you won the prize pack!

Thank you so much to: Why Knot Fibers for providing yarn support for this design. Firefly Fiber Arts for again graciously hosting our Read Along IRL. Jul Designs, Love & Leche, Why Knot Fibers, and Darn Good Yarn for providing prizes for our wonderful giveaway.

Filed Under: Crochet, Knit Along Tagged With: cal, ralcal, read along crochet along, worker bee bag, worker bee stitch

About Heidi

Heidi Gustad is a craft book author & content creator in love with primary colors & vintage vibes. She specializes in knitting, crochet, latch hook and macramé, and her first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is out now!

Previous Post: « Picks of the Week
Next Post: Things to Latch Hook »

Reader Interactions

DID YOU LIKE THIS POST?
Visit similar articles...

  • A closer look at the RALCAL Prizes!A closer look at the RALCAL Prizes!
  • Coming this spring: The first Read Along CROCHET Along!Coming this spring: The first Read Along CROCHET Along!
  • How to Crochet BobblesHow to Crochet Bobbles
  • How to Crochet an OvalHow to Crochet an Oval

DON’T MISS ANOTHER UPDATE

Comments

  1. Bernadette

    May 1, 2018 at 10:37 am

    Thank you for such a beautiful & contemporary crochet design. I knew I had to make it the moment it appeared on Rav. And it lead me to the whole RALCAL experience which has been great. I look forward to seeing more crochet designs from you and what book you choose next.

    Reply
    • Heidi

      May 1, 2018 at 1:09 pm

      Thank you, Bernadette! I love how excited everyone was about this design. Now on to brainstorming the next one! <3

      Reply
  2. Cindy G

    May 1, 2018 at 6:24 pm

    This month totally got away from me! I’m about 2/3 of the way through the book, but haven’t picked up my hook all month. I just love how the finished bag looks, so I’m glad that I’ve had the chance to do a bit of lurking. I’m sure i’ll get my bag done by the end of the summer! Thanks for hosting a crochet version of your CAL! I’ll try to keep up better when the next one rolls around.

    Reply
    • Heidi

      May 3, 2018 at 12:37 pm

      Awesome! WIth all CALs, it’s totally understandable if something doesn’t quite get done. You’ll get there! :)

      Reply

Leave a Reply to Heidi Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

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.

UPDATES BY EMAIL

Monthly highlights sent to your inbox.

Find Me Elsewhere, If You’re There

  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
Latch Hook by Heidi GustadDiscover Unique Items

Footer

INSTAGRAM

handsoccupied

Yarn craft designer & author. Into intarsia knits, latch hook, color & vintage-modern style.
❤️ Email for pattern support
👇🏻 Book, Patterns, Tutorials

Heidi Gustad 🧶✂️
Sunday stitches with June. ☺️ . Yarn: @brookly Sunday stitches with June. ☺️
.
Yarn: @brooklyntweed Arbor
Pattern: in-progress by yours truly 
.
#handsoccupied #intarsia #colorworkknitting #intarsiaknitting
When it’s August & the crew has the day off, the When it’s August & the crew has the day off, the only thing to do is a Knitflix marathon! I hadn’t seen the latest season of Stranger Things and had a TON of knitting to do, so we decided why not make a day of it? For non knitters, this is a pretty accurate depiction of what a dream day looks like for maker types. (Plus or minus a cranky but cute house pet.) 
.
What does your dream knitting day look like? 
.
Just making this for fun & to see how it feels to distill a yarn day into a short video like this. Big thank you to Jamie & Mariah for being my friends, even though they said “it’s okay if you don’t tag me in this.” 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 
.
#knitflix #knitting #knittingwithfriends #intarsia #handsoccupied #knitsocks #chicagoknitters
Are you looking for some late summer reading picks Are you looking for some late summer reading picks? Here are 3 fresh titles for makers of all ages - full reviews are on my bl0g, along with a giveaway for a copy of Knitstrips! The 🔗 is where you’d think. 😉
.
To Make by Danielle Davis (@writesinla) / Knitstrips by Alice Ormsbee Beltran & Karen Kim Mar (@ik_knitstrips) / This Long Tread by Jen Hewett (@jenhewett) 
. 
#summerreading #bookshelf #readingrecommendations #handsoccupied #booksformakers #craftbooks
New on the blog today! This former Librarian revie New on the blog today! This former Librarian reviews three making-related books for kids, teens & adults. And there’s a copy of one up for giveaway too! 📚 
.
To Make by Danielle Davis (@writesinla) with pictures by Mags DeRoma (@magsderoma) / Knitstrips (@ik_knitstrips) by Alice Ormsbee Beltran & Karen Kim Mar / This Long Thread by Jen Hewett (@jenhewett) 
.
I’ll share preview page-through videos for these this week too, but for now the written reviews are at the top of handsoccupied dot com along with my search bar if you can’t find ‘em. All giveaway details are listed in the review post. 🤙🏻 
.
(^ I heard a rumor that if I tell you to exit this app, no one will see this post, so plz forgive the song & dance just in case it matters. 🙈)
.
#handsoccupied #summerreading #booksformakers #booksforcrafters #books #knittersofinstagram #craftbook #knittingbook
I think about the wrong side of my intarsia knitti I think about the wrong side of my intarsia knitting kind of like some embroiderers do: I get (probably too) excited when the back’s neat and tidy. Are you this way? Is it just me? 
.
Pictured is the wrong side of a large primary color intarsia swatch I knit for an upcoming design in @brooklyntweed Arbor. When I pulled it from my studio, I thanked my former self for talking the time to knit, weave in ends, & block a clean swatch already. As critical as they are, I’m excited to not have to make one today. I’ll advocate for swatching all day long, but I won’t pretend it’s like the funnest step in the process! 😆🧶
.
#stopswatchandblockit #intarsia #intarsiaknitting #handsoccupied #knitincolor #knitdesign #handknits
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2022 / Foodie Pro Theme On Genesis Framework / Branding by Ink + Mortar
All Site & Shop Policies / Privacy Policy / Cookie Policy