Australia's Julia Gillard needled over knitted gift for Prince William's baby

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has whipped up a storm after appearing in the Australian Women's Weekly knitting a toy kangaroo for the royal baby.

The photoshoot depicts Gillard in an armchair, surrounded by balls of wool, with her dog Reuben at her feet.

The pictures have sparked controversy in parts of the Australian media, who have called it "contrived" and "remarkable". Commentators have pointed out that Gillard has traditionally rejected feminine presentations.

News Limited columnist Andrew Bolt said the prime minister was "giving encouragement to young female politicians by plying a hobby now synonymous with mad old aunts."

Senator Fiona Nash of the National Party told Fairfax Media that it looked like "a bit of a stunt" that showed "a lack of connection" with the Australian public, while senior Liberal Christopher Pyne said to reporters in Canberra: "We know the prime minister is good at spinning a yarn, now we have a picture to prove it."