I’m Heidi, and I’m a craft book author and pattern designer specializing in yarn crafts like knitting, crochet, latch hook and macramé. I have been running the Hands Occupied Blog since 2010. Over the years I’ve collaborated with various crafters, companies and artists.
From the June 2017 issue
Master simple short rows, twisted stitches, and basic lace by working up the Ruby Stole. Its many different elements combine to form a pear shape inspired by one of the many forms rubies take. This versatile piece can complement both your day dresses and your more upscale night attire.
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This lovely lacy shawl is knit left to right using a relaxing, easy-to-memorize lace stitch pattern. As you knit, you will increase from the cast on end until you reach the body of the shawl. One end of the piece includes a pouch-like shape designed to fit around one shoulder to aid in easy wear. See our photo tutorial below for tips on how to style this project!
View ProjectFrom the Why I Love Knitting: A Love Letter to My Favorite Hobby issue
In the world of superheroes, they have these things called origin stories. You know, the part of the movie that usually encompasses the first however many minutes of the film? The part when you learn that Captain America (or whoever) started out as an underweight Army reject before undergoing the science experiment that made him
View ProjectFrom the April 2022 issue
This scarf uses a popular repeating stitch known as the English Mesh Lace Stitch and plays with positive and negative space to create a lightweight summer scarf that’s nice enough to wear at the beach or out for dinner. The linen yarn used is perfect for a scarf that might get a lot of outdoor use as it’s completely washable and dryable.
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