History

BETTY SMITH - FOUNDER

Betty Smith founded the Twisted Stitches of Central New York Knitting Guild in 1998. 

Betty was an avid sock knitter and sports fan. She had 5 children that survived to adulthood and had many children of their own. She knitted each family member socks for their birthday and for Christmas. Every child or grandchild, as they graduated from college, also received a handmade afghan in the Rambling Rose pattern in the colors of their choice. These afghans are precious to them. To one grandchild, she was simply named GrandmaWhoKnits.

When Betty passed away, she had 83 pairs of her own handmade socks.

Betty's friend, Heather Cameron, and her daughter, Diane Asmuth, shared memories of Betty with us. 

Heather: I ran into her at the Yarn Cupboard one day and when I asked her how many pairs of socks she had knit this year, she said, "55!" When I asked her how many she was knitting next year, she said, "Less!"

Diane: She was a knitting Dr. Seuss - I will knit in a box, I will knit all the socks!

Betty started knitting as a child. Her mother knit, but prefered crochet. The first thing Betty knit was a yellow scarf for herself. She was so proud, she wore it to school.

Betty was highly organized. She had a knitting closet in her later years, and before that craft room, with everything in its place - needles, sock yarn (in bright colors!) and acrylic for charity knits.  She was very particular about needles; steel was too slippery and bamboo could wear out.

Betty said that Elisabeth Zimmerman changed her life. She even travelled to Wisconsin and met Meg Swanson, Elisabeth's daughter. Once Betty started knitting in the round, she only used her straight needles as backscratchers. She kept one next to her chair.

Betty knit while her husband drove them to various Civil War sites. She could knit and also read a book, or a map, or watch TV at the same time.  She could knit in the dark, although once she knit a sock about 2 inches too long that way! 

Betty knit tiny socks as earrings and even tiny sweaters with intricate cabling as Christmas Tree ornaments. Her husband made tiny hangers for them out of wire.

Today, we thank this dedicated and organized artist for her contribution to her craft and to the local knitting community. 

THANK YOU, BETTY!