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. You can see some of my 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.
Feel free to drop me a line at heidi [at] handsoccupied [dot] com to start a conversation about working together. I’m currently open to new projects and commissions.
Heidi in print
- Spiral Hill Sweater Vest – Disney Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas: The Official Knitting Guide to Halloween Town and Christmas Town (2023)
- Magic Carpet Throw Blanket – Knitting with Disney (2021)
- I Like Crochet (US) August 2018 – Mod Maze Pillow
- I Like Crochet (US) June 2018 – Fruitful Purse Flair
- 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