The giant needles will tower over tiny Ingrid Wagner, of Ashbrooke, who stands just 5ft 4in.

But the talented textile artist will have the help of Newcastle Eagles basketball players who will help her keep her balance as she attempts to cast 10 stitches and knit 10 rows to make her way into the Guinness Book of World Records.

"I'll be sitting on a stool to do it so I'll feel a bit like they do in The Borrowers," Ingrid said. "But at least I'll be aided and abetted by the Newcastle Eagles team.

"The only time a woman does need a strong man is when she's handling these giant knitting needles."

Ingrid is no stranger to knitting with giant needles. Last year, she set up her Newcastle-based business, Ingrid Wagner Rug and Art Creations where she takes a fresh approach to the craft.

She uses her own big knitting needles, which are up to 1.2 metres long, with her own alternative knitting material, Big Knit Yarn, so it's no surprise she took up the challenge.

"I was being interviewed on the radio last year and I took some of my knitting needles into the studio because there was a camera there," she said.

"They asked me if they were the largest ones I'd ever knitted with, so I said yes but I'd seen someone else down south using longer needles that were three metres in length.

"He asked if I was going to try and beat that. I said I might do but when I was being interviewed by the BBC the next day the guy asked me if I was going to break the world record. I agreed, and that's how it came about."

Ingrid will today be attempting to smash the world record, which stands at 3.5metre long with a 6.5cm diameter, using 3.5metre needles with an 8cm diameter at Newcastle's Metro Radio Arena.

The challenge will officially launch the 11th annual Pins and Needles, needlework and craft show, which is at the Arena from April 3 to 5.

For more information, log on to www.ingridwagner.com.