Beanie queen Lita a knitting dynamo

Last year, Mrs Devlin donated 260 beanies to the Operation Christmas Child program, which sends shoe boxes of toys and other items to children in poverty.

‘You need something to do when you’re retired and I find it very relaxing,’ Mrs Devlin said.

‘My son said to me ‘mum you should be selling those on eBay’ but I would rather donate them than sell.’

Mrs Devlin buys the wool with money left over from her pension but also relies on donations from friends.

‘It’s my way of giving back,’ said.