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Hands Occupied

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

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Work With Me

Heidi Gustad knits a vintage sweater in the Hands Occupied Studio
more about the skirt

My name is Heidi Gustad, and I’m the designer behind Hands Occupied. I adore bold colors and graphic motifs, combining vintage design elements with a modern flair. 

I have a strong design sense which I’ve translated into various yarn crafts including knitting and crochet patterns, latch hook projects, and macramé. I also have a lot of experience designing, writing, photographing and marketing blog content – everything from tutorials and inspiration posts to product reviews, interviews and sponsored posts, I’ve done it. You can see some of my notable print features at the bottom of this page. Over the years, I’ve worked with Kleenex, Hershey’s, Kia, Lion Brand Yarn, HP and Elmer’s, to name a few.

I also do a lot of video work. If you’re curious to see how I do on video, you can check out my YouTube channel for some samples. Here are a couple of favorite videos to give you an idea of my vibe on camera.

 

 

 

Feel free to drop me a line at heidi [at] handsoccupied [dot] com to start a conversation about working together, I’m always open to new projects, partnerships and commissions!

 

 

Hands Occupied's DIY Knitting Nancy in Homespun Magazine

 

Heidi in print

  • I Like Crochet (US) August 2018 – Square Swatch Round Throw Pillow 
  • I Like Crochet (US) June 2018 – Fruit Purse Flair (available 5/1/18)
  • I Like Knitting (US) April 2018 – Pineapple Shawl 
  • Named 2017 Blogger of the Year by AllFreeKnitting (1/10/18)
  • I Like Crochet (US) February 2018 – Navy Bloom Mary Janes
  • I Like Knitting (US) February 2018 – Happy Hearts Blanket
  • I Like Knitting (US) December 2017 – Twisted Peppermint Slippers 
  • I Like Knitting (US) October 2017 – Arizona Afghan
  • I Like Knitting (US) August 2017 – Mod Maze Pillow
  • I Like Knitting (US) June 2017 – Ruby Stole
  • I Like Knitting (US) April 2017 – Abie’s Lace Shawl (a.k.a. Shawl You’ll Ever Need)
  • I Like Knitting (US) February 2017 – Why I Love Knitting article
  • Knitscene (US) Winter 2015 – Blogspotting feature
  • School Library Journal – Faux Tie Dye Tshirts
  • I Like Knitting (US) June 2015 – English Lace Scarf knitting pattern
  • I Like Crochet (US) April 2015 – Purple Haze Messenger Bag crochet pattern
  • Sewing World (UK) January 2015 – knitting needle case sewing tutorial
  • Let’s Knit Magazine (UK) July 2014 -blogger feature
  • Homespun Magazine (Aus) September 2014 – loom knitting tutorial
  • DIY Lifestyle Magazine (US – digital) December 2014 – no sew headband tutorial

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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.

EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Never miss a tutorial with these short & sweet monthly updates.

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handsoccupied

Craft book author, designer & creator specializing in yarn crafts like knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé
❤️ Email preferred

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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