Crafter's Corner: Betsy's Boutique
- Willow Ranch
- Mar 26
- 3 min read
When you look on the shop here at Willow Ranch, some of our items are knitted toys and blankets. Most of these knitted products are made by one of our suppliers, Betsy's Boutique. But what is "Betsy's Boutique"? Where is it based? Who is the owner? What other products or services does Betsy's Boutique offer?
Meet Betsy!
Knitting is Betsy's favourite past-time. After her morning walk before breakfast (knitting generally means sitting, so exercise is very important to her - rain or shine), you will find her knitting - at home, at playgrounds, in doctor's waiting rooms, beside loved ones in hospital, in shopping centres, in the car/train/bus - anywhere that she is waiting really! In fact, Betsy knits at all hours (till 8pm when it is time to read!). There are always interruptions, of course - helping her husband, her two home-schooled teens, shopping, making meals, a little housework or gardening now and then, etc. Her days are rather spontaneous, not super planned. But because she can knit without looking at every stitch, it gives her more freedom. Although she used to knit literally from when she got up to when she went to bed, now she has changed her knitting hours, and makes time to read as well, as that has always been her first love. Betsy loves history and people, so reading autobiographies and biographies is very fascinating for her.
Some of Betsy's best memories include knitting while being on holiday and talking to loved ones. Knitting isn't her only favourite thing though - she also loves warm, sunny days with blue skies (which are plentiful in Sydney where she lives!), books, being with family and friends, walking, tulips, peppermint tea, salad, pasta, chocolate, chocolate... and more chocolate!
About Betsy's Boutique
Betsy's mother taught her to knit when she was about 10 years old, but Betsy didn’t continue with it for long. She only started knitting again just over a decade ago, in 2014. She was inspired to turn her new-found passion into a small knitting business, which she named "Betsy's Boutique", when her sister ordered some of Rainebo Design’s blankies, and Betsy just went crazy offering them for sale because she thought they were so cute!
Now Betsy's Boutique can be found on Etsy, Facebook, and Instagram. She does make custom orders, but when she has no custom orders, she sometimes makes new products to sell pre-made on her Etsy store. It is almost impossible to predict what will sell well - or even at all - so she tries to have a good variety available, and hopes that there will be sales!
Her favourite thing to knit? That is a very hard question! Sometimes she needs something easy (when her brain is perhaps not at its best), and so a blanket with a very repetitive pattern is the best option. But then other times she wants something new and challenging to knit! She has also recently been making herself clothes, and has discovered that that can be a lot of fun.
When asked what her favourite knitting pattern designer is, Betsy said, "Most definitely Lorraine Pistorio at Rainebo Designs – her work has been the foundation of my business, and I am still amazed at her designs – just incredible!"
The most popular product made through Betsy's Boutique is the blankie (like this) - Betsy has now made over 160 of them! The next most popular item is bunnies of all sizes, followed by washcloths - a newer item for Betsy, but she has made more than 75 of them!
Betsy's goal for Betsy's Boutique? "Betsy’s Boutique is all about joy. Firstly, I get joy making the items. Then the buyer gets excited to receive the item. Finally, the recipient! So much joy, and for me that’s wonderful! I hope to spread oceans more joy with my knitted items!"
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