Bad Betty Knits is a one-woman show creating practical tools with a touch of vintage charm and snark for the knitting and crochet community. Featuring quality paper goods for project tracking and giving handmade gifts, bound to make someone snort laugh.

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At last... Finished object photos of my #midcoastsweater test knit! This pattern by @knit.love.wool has been out a little while but look a little while longer at my size. Full details are available on my #ravelry page but in short - I started out knitting the 59"size but my gauge put the final object closer to 54". I did include some waist shaping at the sides and bust darts, so ultimately, this ended up much more fitted than intended by the designer.
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This was a challenging test knit for me - the first where I felt the need to give some critical feedback to the designer which was a little scary. In the end, I would say 75% of the issues I ran into were my fault and 25% in the design. Things that were my fault: GAUGE. I used a superwash yarn that did not help my gauge issues, but I was also aware that it was going to be very difficult for me to meet the very loose gauge the pattern called for. This type of colorwork design really does benefit from wooly wools that fluff up to fill the space. If that's not your jam, then I'd say go up to a sport weight yarn. I would do that if I knit this again. I also made some design choices at the neckline and cuffs that differed from the pattern that I ultimately changed back to match Jenn's design, and I overdid it on the waist shaping. .
I shared my concerns about the design, specifically in regard to the larger sizes, with Jenn and feel hopeful that she'll incorporate the feedback in the future. My biggest issue was in the sleeve sizing once you get above a size 48" - the upper sleeve sizing doesn't keep up with the sizing standards for extended sizing. At my size, I had to add about 2.5"to the sleeves (by cyc standards, my size would call for 1.5" more than the design called for). So, pay attention to sleeve sizing if you knits larger size in this pattern. Jenn's intention is for the sleeves to be fitted to contrast with the positive ease in the body, but I think they may be tight for those of us with fat upper arms. As a result, I had to rework the decreases in the sleeves as well. .
(Cont in comments)

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Here are my Top 9 posts of 2019. Clearly, photos of my fat body in sweaters are what you're here for 😂 This has been kind of a crazy year for me...I think back in May, I had about 300 followers and I'll close out this year with just over 3,000! Most of that growth is due to me yelling about size inclusivity - and I think it's been worthwhile if the jump in size inclusive patterns and designers is any indication.
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Looking at#topnine of folks like @classicadg and @joceyknits - 2019 has been a good year for fat folks in handmade garments in general. Never underestimate the power of seeing someone that looks like you wearing popular designs. #topnine2019 .
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#fatfashion #plussizeknitting #fatknitting #plussizefashion #fatknittersofinstagram #knitfatdiewarm #knitters #knitted #yarnlovers #knitter #yarnporn #instaknit #knit #yarn #fatknitter #knittinglove #knittingaddict #knittersofravelry #knittersoftheworld #knittersofinstagram #knitting #knittersgonnaknit #knitstagram #knitting_inspiration #sizeinclusive #sizematters

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What, you don't try on your gift knits with the needles still in the crown? Now entering yarn chicken land...
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#giftknitting #handmadegifts #christmasknitting #knittedgifts #handmadeholiday #happyholidays #jasonscashmerehat #knitter #knitting #knittersoftheworld #knitting_inspiration #knitted #knittingaddict #yarnlovers #knittersofravelry #knitters #yarnporn #fatknittersofinstagram #instaknit #knittersofinstagram #knittinglove #knit #knitstagram #knittersgonnaknit #yarn

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I finished a shawl! This is my #russellstreet shawl by @heymegand - knit with @canonhanddyes Autumn Rainbow mini set and a natural Tweed yarn from Two Guys Yarn. Feels so good to knock out a #WIP since I am a little overwhelmed by all the lingering projects hanging around. Now to finish another... But I'll probably start a new shawl instead!
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#knittinglove #yarn #knittersofravelry #knittersgonnaknit #knitted #knitting #knit #instaknit #knitters #knitting_inspiration #knittingaddict #yarnporn #fatknittersofinstagram #knitstagram #yarnlovers #knittersoftheworld #knitter #knittersofinstagram #shawl #shawlknitting #rainbow #handknit #handmadewardrobe #canonhanddyes #finishedobject #tweed

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It feels like it's been a while since I've posted anything but dogs and shameless self promotion 😂 so here's some color work wip-pery for you. After finishing my last colorwork sweater I decided to reward myself with... More colorwork. This is my #foxholesweater by @handmadecloset and I'm hoping it flies because I'm in love with the colors. It's basically the inverse of my Golden Horizon sweater.
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#instaknit #knit #knitstagram #knitted #knitter #knittingaddict #knittersofravelry #knittinglove #knitting #yarnporn #yarnlovers #knittersgonnaknit #knittersoftheworld #knitters #yarn #knitting_inspiration #knittersofinstagram #fatknittersofinstagram #handmadewardrobe #handmade #sweater #sweaterweather #handknit #colorwork

Hey there,

I’m Mari, a maker living outside Raleigh, NC with my husband and two dogs. Craft is a way of life for me – in addition to the fiber arts, I handcraft felt floral arrangements and do a little graphic design for fun.

Wait a minute… you’re not Betty?

Nope. Betty is more of a persona – a little old fashioned, a lot practical, sweet but a little salty. I’ve known a few Betties in my time who take no shit but do no harm. Bad Betty is still a lady, but she’s a tough old bird and she’s not going to put up with anyone’s nonsense. She’s kind of a bad ass.

Bad Betty is who I want to be when I grow up. You know what’s also bad ass? Knitting. It’s not just for grannies. I’ve been knitting for over 10 years now. Knitting is as much a part of my story as Betty is. Hence, Bad Betty Knits.