Elizabeth (Betty) Hartley and Elizabeth Middleton

Elizabeth Hartley
(“Betty”)
1914 - 2007
aged 93 years

Elizabeth Thwaite
Middleton 
1916 - 2007
aged 91 years

In January, Dentdale said a sad farewell to one of the “Terrible Knitters,” Elizabeth Middleton and in March, her much loved colleague Betty also died at the wonderful age of 93. Betty Hartley was the last Terrible Knitter of Dent and with her passing a chapter of Dentdale history has come to a close.

Betty and Elizabeth in their traditional 'Terrible Knitters of Dent' outfits.

At the end of the eighteenth century Dent was a centre for a thriving home industry, knitting socks, woollen caps and gloves, which were sent far and wide. Such was the industriousness of Dent folk, who knitted so fast and furiously, they were known as the Terrible Knitters of Dent. Elizabeth and her colleague, Betty Hartley, kept the memory of these old skills alive by demonstrating in schools, museums, country shows, and so on. She was a marvellous ambassador for all that was best in our community.

Betty was extremely creative and was forward thinking, keen to pass on her knowledge and experience to others, so as well as demonstrating, she and Elizabeth recorded the knitter’s lecture on a video, which has also raised hundreds for our church. Betty understood the importance of tourism in keeping the economy of the Dale healthy. She was a great encourager of the little visitor centre in the bier room, which every day still broadcasts the Knitter’s video to the many visitors who come to Dent.