Barbara Bettegnies has two great passions in life: knitting and spreading the love of it to anyone who might be susceptible. She credits her mother for instilling a love of fiber pursuits from early childhood. An allergic reaction to wool necessitated an alternative to the usual winter coat, so her mother had to make outerwear of corduroy, a very tactile fabric. The oldest of three, Barb convinced her mother to teach her to knit at the age of four. Ten years later, Barb taught her grandmother to knit. That early exposure led to a lifetime of gratification from the skill, which continues to occupy her hands and mind to this day.
Moving around the country nearly every year as a child instilled an interest in activities which could be pursued alone. Other fiber delights have lured her attention only briefly: crochet, counted cross-stitch, macramé, crewel, quilting and sewing, but knitting has remained her primary interest. She often combines uncomplicated knitting with reading books, another passion. Sock knitting is perfect for this, and there is always a pair in progress.
After college, marriage, the births of two sons and a long stint in the family business of grain merchandising, all fiber interests took a back seat. When the thirty-year marriage ended, a new career was necessary. Barb began teaching and working in a yarn shop in the
Life in a rural community outside of
This new venture as editor of Creative Knitting magazine will add spice to her life and fits in perfectly with Barb’s desires for both spreading the word about knitting and learning as a life-long pursuit.