Rugby World Cup: Betty's All Black stitch up

Betty Batchelor and the All Black dolls she knitted. Photo / Supplied

Betty Batchelor's handcrafted All Blacks have been striking a chord with locals in her hometown of Nelson.

"I've had a lot of door knocks this week," she told the Herald On Sunday.

Betty, 84, has been sewing since she was 10 and says the idea of giving the ABs the needle only came to her six weeks ago. The 30cm figures take more than a week to make.

"I haven't got a pattern. I just make them out of my head."

At $15 a pop, it's "Ba'a Nonu" and "Tony Woolcock" who have been flying off the shelf. "So far I've made eight and sold seven, and I've already got 12 orders for Christmas."

Betty doubts she'll need any loopholes to escape any NZRU heavyweights who come knocking. "I don't think they'd bother about my little men, would they? I've got no adidas or anything like that on it, and they're probably a bit busy with the World Cup at the moment."

Like everyone, she has been shocked by recent developments. "Dan Carter being ill and what-not - that's a bit upsetting for him. But I don't take a great deal of interest. I knit these because I like knitting dolls."