Not quite knowing how a garment will turn out is why she loves felting, designer Annette O'Callaghan says.
''You sort of have an idea in your head what you're going to do,'' Mrs O'Callaghan said.
''But when you're laying your wool out you don't necessarily know what it's going to look like at the end.
''Anything to do with dyeing wool, making something, and not knowing how it's going to turn out, excites me.''
The 44-year-old Hindon sheep and beef farmer entered the Hokonui Fashion Design Awards held in Gore recently.
Her reversible orange nuno felted jacket was in the Southern Institute of Technology's wool award section.
It was the second year she had entered.
She has yet to win a place in the awards.
''I don't expect to place,'' she said.
Nuno felting involves using silk fabric, as well as wool, for a finer finish.
The awards event itself was a lot of fun.
She attended with a local group, including her husband Mick, her hairdresser, and local sewing group members.
She had much encouragement from the group to enter. She taught herself to sew and had had lessons only in the past couple of years.
Her jacket was reversible, with a more muted shade of orange on one side.
She had always been a spinner, using wool from her own sheep and alpaca. The wool for her reversible jacket was fine merino, which she had acquired from elsewhere.
Next she would like to felt men's jerseys. These would be more practical, with less concern over colour and shade.
