She may have been knitting for more than 70 years but Daphne Randle says she is still learning as she goes.
The Alexandra designer, a stalwart of the annual WoolOn contest, is never far from a pair of knitting needles and some wool.
She has devised a knitting style which means all the garments she makes are knitted one small section at a time, and then instead of sewing the outfit together, she knits it together so there are no seams.
''Like a lot of knitters, I hate sewing up garments, so this way, there's no sewing up; it's all knitted continuously, on short needles.
"There's no long rows at all; so instead, you finish one wee section and think, that was easy so I'll knit another one and before you know it, it's 1am and you're still knitting ... ''.
Mrs Randle (75) describes the knitting style as ''Fernzwear'' and each individually knitted section resembles a fern shape.
She comes up with a design, gets some graph paper and works out how it can be knitted, using her easy method.
''My biggest problem is I have a terrible habit of getting a new idea for a design when I'm two-thirds of the way through something else; then I want to start the new thing straight away.''
Entering events like WoolOn made her focus and complete the garments.
This year she has entered outfits in the knitwear, streetwear, menswear and accessory sections of the contest.
''As usual, I've probably bitten off more than I can chew, so I might not sleep in the weeks leading up to the contest, as I finish the garments off.''
She is modest about her hand-knitted garments, having won the supreme award twice - last year and in 2011.
''It was very nice and special, but you don't enter it for that. It's a challenge you set yourself. If you get placed anywhere, it's a bonus.''
''We love living in Alexandra, it's such a dear wee town, and when the kids were younger we'd help out with other parts of the Blossom Festival, but that's a bit beyond me now, so supporting the WoolOn contest is one way to show my support.''
Mrs Randle learned knitting as a pre-schooler.
Working as an occupational therapist helped her problem-solving skills, so when she developed back problems 20 years ago while knitting, she came up with her idea of knitting small sections at a time, reducing the number of stitches on the needles and the risk of repetitive strain injury.
''Every outfit I do is trial and error and every one is a challenge.
"I come up with the idea and then work out how to knit it, either in small sections or strips, all on the bias. That's why they hang so well.''
She wishes more people would enter WoolOn.
''It's actually a lot of fun and seeing your outfit on the catwalk is pretty special.
"People shouldn't agonise over whether they could do it or not.
"They should just be adventurous, forget the patterns, and try something new - start with a concept and have the confidence to give it a go.''
This year, her daughter Sherilee and granddaughters Brie (12) and Tyla (10) Davidson, also of Alexandra, are among the WoolOn entrants, no doubt inspired by her work.
Granddaughter Kensa Randle, of Alexandra, also entered two years ago, winning the Young Designer section at the age of 13.
This is one 75-year-old who has no intention of ''retiring'' from her craftwork.
''When I ordered labels for my garments I had to buy 1000 - and I've still got a few of those to use up yet.''
