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

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Free Patterns from the Blog

Dozens of free knitting and crochet patterns ranging from basic scarves to cabled sweaters, all designed by Heidi Gustad.

24 Randomly Sorted Patterns:

The 45-Minute Wrap – Free Arm Knitting Pattern

The 45-Minute Wrap, a free arm knitting pattern made with Zen Yarn Garden's Big Up! jumbo weight yarn.

Scrap Scallops Scarf – Free Crochet Pattern

Don't let your favorite scraps go to waste! Crochet the free Scrap Scallops Scarf to elegantly showcase your favorite yarns. Visit handsoccupied.com for the free pattern.

Crochet Milk & Cookies Ornaments – 12 Ornaments of Christmas

A set of free crochet patterns for making super cute milk and cookies ornaments for your Christmas tree. Click through for the free patterns.

Moon & Star Softies – Free Knitting Pattern

If you're looking for a baby knitting idea that isn't your standard blanket or sweater, this quick-to-make set of stuffed knit toys is just the ticket. Get the free knitting patterns on the Hands Occupied Blog.

Crochet T-shirt Yarn Tote

Crochet T-shirt Yarn Tote Pattern at HandsOccupied.com

Simple Basketweave Baby Blanket

Simple Basketweave Baby Blanket - Free Knitting Pattern at Hands Occupied

Crochet Bell Ornament – 12 Ornaments of Christmas

Crochet this sweet little bell ornament for your Christmas tree! - Click through for the free, quick & easy pattern!

Granny Throw Pillows

A free crochet pattern & tutorial for granny square throw pillows!

Peas & Carrots Baby Blanket

Knit Heart Ornament – 12 Ornaments of Christmas

Knit Heart Ornament - Click through for a free knitting pattern for this cute star ornament, which also makes a great tree star, gift topper or baby toy!

Chevron Sunglasses Case Knitting Pattern

Chevron Sunglasses Case Knitting Pattern at handsoccupied.com

Little Hats, Big Hearts, Declan’s Story & A Free Pattern

Knit red hats to help raise awareness about preemie heart health with the free Declan Hat pattern!

How-to: Knit Puffball Clutch

Crochet Mug Ornament – 12 Ornaments of Christmas

Crochet a teeny mug ornament for your Christmas tree! - Click through for the super-fast pattern that is great for the coffee or beer lover in your life!

Knit Gift Box Ornament – 12 Ornaments of Christmas

A cute pattern for a knit gift box ornament for the holidays! Click through for the free pattern.

Knit Star Ornament & The 12 Ornaments of Christmas

Knit Star Ornament - Click through for a free knitting pattern for this cute star ornament, which also makes a great tree star, gift topper or baby toy!

Over the Rainbow Softie – Free Crochet Pattern

Grab ‘n Go Purse – free crochet pattern!

Try your hand at the easy-to-make Grab 'n Go Purse, a free crochet pattern that makes the most of fabric yarn!

Red Hats for Newborns + A Free Pattern

Red Hats for Newborns Pattern at handsoccupied.com

Vintage Checked Mittens

Vintage Checked Mittens at HandsOccupied.com

Wherever Wrap – Free Knitting Pattern

Who doesn't love an easy-to-knit, versatile pattern? The Wherever Wrap is a fun colorblock piece knit with a simple lace motif. Get the free knitting pattern by designer Heidi Gustad.

Mini Golden Snitch Sweater Pattern

A free knitting pattern for a mini golden snitch sweater, inspired by the sweater Harry gets in book six!

Peruvian Market Tote

Crochet yourself this versatile Peruvian Market Tote, perfect for quick trips to the store! Get the free crochet pattern.

Shorty Socks / Knit Along Wrap Up

Shorty Socks Knitting Pattern at handsoccupied.com

Even more free patterns →

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Hi! I’m Heidi (she/her/hers), and I’ve been helping yarn crafters untangle various techniques on the internet since 2010. I got my start here, as a blogger, and since then I’ve shared more than a few tutorials here and on YouTube as I’ve grown as a pattern designer. 🧶

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handsoccupied

Knitting & yarn crafts designer 🧶
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Stay up-to-date 💌 & shop new patterns ⤵️

POV: Showing you how my new Bevelled Tank pattern

Let’s talk about fit and ease! . During the Beve

Let’s talk about fit and ease!
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During the Bevelled Tank design process for @pompommag, I knit 2 samples using 2 different @KelbourneWoolens yarns. One was in Skipper (100% cotton, second photo) and the other was in Camper (100% 2 ply wool). The Skipper sample was knit for a 36” bust, which measures in at 40” with 4” of positive ease. And I knit the Camper Sample for my 40” bust with a 44” finished measurement. (BTW, I’m 5’5” for folks that find that measurement helpful in visualizing fit.)
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Based on the size chart for the Bevelled Tank, that means I knit one size 3 sample and one size 4. As designed, I conveniently fit a size 4 as intended with 4” of positive ease. When I wear the 3, there is no ease at all because the garment and my body are both 40” in size. Comparing the 2 garments, you can see how the fiber content (cotton vs. wool) and fit (no ease vs. 4” of positive ease) makes a difference in the look and feel of the finished garment.
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These samples are a great way to compare what ease looks like on different bodies. While I can fit both a size 3 and 4, the garment with no ease feels more like pajamas or a bralette when I wear it. On the other hand, when I wear the one with 4” of positive ease, I feel comfortable enough to wear it to work, even as a crop top. Plus, it leaves me with enough room to layer it with a nice button down if I’m not feeling the cropped look one day.
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I’m curious - how would you style this tank? Would you modify it with a few stockinette rows for added length? I’m so curious now that this pattern is finally out in the world. :)
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #bevelledtank #handsoccupied #knitting #intarisa #handmade #kelbournewoolens #croppedsweater #summerknits

After a 6 month hiatus, I am happy to say I’m ba

Here’s a nice throwback for you: my take on a vi

Here’s a nice throwback for you: my take on a vintage knitting pattern from 1938 called the Fernlace Pullover. A pattern so nice, I knit it twice.
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Yellow version 💛: knit with Despondent Dyes’ Vintage Vixen Sport after attending a @squidneyknits vintage knitting retreat in 2019 & learning *so much*. Paired with a self-drafted circle skirt pattern.
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Blue version 💙: knit with @eweeweyarns Ewe So Sporty in Sky Blue. Paired with the 1940s Boardwalk Duet sewing pattern from @decades_of_style
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Head to my stories for 🔗🔗 to the handmade wardrobe blog posts I wrote about each take on the Fernlace Pullover, working with a vintage pattern, where to find vintage patterns (including the one I used), & some thoughts on sizing.
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Image descriptions available in alt text.
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#handsoccupied #handmadewardrobe #fernlacepullover #vintageknitting #vintageknittingpatterns #knitting_inspiration

Frogging is a word in the knitting world that mean

Frogging is a word in the knitting world that means to rip out your knitting. It’s called frogging because frogs say “ribbit,” and when you’re tearing out your knitting, you will “rip it” out, and that sounds like ribbit. No really. 🐸 Did you know this fun fact?
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P.S. I did like this design concept, but to make the pattern more knitter friendly as well as more wearable, I am making some tweaks to the construction. Excited to share when it’s ready! 🥰🧶
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Yarn: @blueskyfibers Woolstok North in Morning Frost & Highland Fleece
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#handsoccupied #knitting #frogging #blueskyfibers #knittersofinstagram #blueskymakers #knittingvocabulary #bsfmakers #knitdesign

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