The Jargon File (version 4.4.7, 29 Dec 2003):

hand cruft
 vt.

    [pun on ?hand craft?] See cruft, sense 3.


The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (30 December 2018):

hand cruft

    (After "hand craft") To write something by hand
   that would be better done automatically, e.g. writing
   assembly language instead of using a compiler (see hand
   hacking).

   [Jargon File]

   (2006-01-19)