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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.

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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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