IN THE KNIT OF TIME: Long-time Destin resident knits while she sits

Betty Marler stands outside her door while her three little dogs chase each other in her front yard.

She lives in the tiny orange home in the heart of Destin. Her yard, full of fruit trees and shrubs, is lined with a chain link fence where an old wooden sign hangs letting passersby know it’s a  “Marler” residence.

She shoos her dogs back inside and takes compliments pertaining to her yard the best she can.

“I don’t get to it as much as I used too,” she said.

Originally from Phoenix City, Ala. she moved to Destin 54 years ago. She’ll be turning 78 Nov. 13 and has seen Destin transform from small town to a growing city as it popped up all around her.

“Married a boat captain,” she said of her late husband Eugene Marler, as to why she came.

She nestles herself in her chair which sits in the middle of her own tiny universe. A working table scattered with papers, a calendar, and remote control to her right. And to her left, a coffee table with a large lamp, dozens of trinkets and a ball of yarn.

Marler said she’s been crocheting since she was 12 years old and continues to do it mainly because it keeps her busy.

“If I’m not doing anything, I’ll go crazy,” she said.

During the week she volunteers her time to sit with people. She said she sits with someone who is paralyzed, and a couple of friends in the nursing home.

“I’ll bring it with me and just needle while I sit,” she said.

Just trying to keep busy is one thing, but her colorful works of yarn have won her some recognition, and have kept many people warm through cold nights.

Her sister Cherry Wilson, who learned how to crochet from Marler years before, entered she and Marler in an arts and crafts showing in Macclenny, Fla. not long ago.

Marler was rewarded a blue ribbon in recognition of her handmade sock caps.
It only takes one cap to gain a blue ribbon so she gives away the rest of her work to whomever she feels would really appreciate them.

“I got some ready to send to the Veterans at the American Legion,” she said.
She started to find organizations to donate to just a couple years ago, and she has been busy giving them away ever since.

She started listing: Sharing and Caring in Fort Walton, the Hospice, and even made preemie sized caps for the little ones in St. Francis hospital in Columbus Ga.

Since she crochets as a personal hobby, she will always have more to give away. Especially since she’s never been too keen on hats for personal use.

“I don’t like nothing on my head, I look silly in hats.”

Sock-caps are pretty much what she sticks to now, but she said she used to make all kinds of things, such as Afghans and slippers.

“People kept slipping all over the place in the slippers, so I had to stop making those,” she laughed. “And I tried to make some for a little infant, and it went all the way up to her knees!”