by Kathleen Cubley October 09, 2017 1 min read

It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and there are some meaningful things knitters can do to help out those who are suffering from, and surviving, this awful disease.

Knitted Knockers, handmade breast prostheses, were invented by a woman in Maine who owned a yarn shop and had been diagnosed with breast cancer. She made them for herself, and when other women found out about them, a movement was born.

breast cancer awareness month knitted knockers

Breast prostheses can be heavy, hot, uncomfortable, and expensive. Knitted Knockers to the rescue! You don't need a special bra to wear Knitted Knockers, and they can be worn sooner after surgery than traditional prostheses can, because they're soft against the skin.

We are featuring the free Knitted Knockers pattern from Skacel; they're easily adjusted for size, and there are many yarns that are appropriate for this pattern. We recommend HiKoo CoBaSi DK or Universal Bamboo Pop. Both yarns are soft against the skin.

Some women prefer a little weight in their Knockers, to help keep them in place. You can add a marble or a smooth rock in the middle of the stuffing to make this adjustment.

I hope you'll knit a pair of Knockers—you can donate them to the Knitted Knockers organization or give them to a friend in need. The folks at knittedknockers.org get the most requests for “nude” and pastel color breast pairs, and most requests are for sizes B and C.

If you're battling breast cancer yourself, we wish you love and courage, friend!

Cheers,

Kathleen Cubley
Kathleen Cubley


Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.


Also in Alpaca Direct Blog

Kelley's Favorite Free Knit Sweater Patterns
Kelley's Favorite Free Knit Sweater Patterns

by Meg Bateman January 02, 2022 1 min read

Do you feel lost when it comes to picking out your first knit sweater pattern? This week, Kelley shared her favorite sweater patterns during Technique Tuesday. These patterns all feature minimal seaming, have detailed instructions, and have lots of completed projects on Ravelry! 

 

Free Beginner Sweater Patterns to Try

Kelley has knit the Brick Sweater several times, and has decided to knit it again with all our Technique Tuesday viewers! Grab some worsted weight yarn and join us for this informal knit along. 

Read More
Christmas Gifts for Knitters & Loved Ones
Christmas Gifts for Knitters & Loved Ones

by Meg Bateman January 02, 2022 1 min read

Do you have a knitter in your life that you would love to give a gift to? Not only do knitters love receiving knitted items, but you can get them some essential knitting supplies and tools as well!
Read More
How to Use the Fix-A-Stitch
How to Use the Fix-A-Stitch

by Meg Bateman January 02, 2022 1 min read

Do you struggle with fixing your knitting mistakes or dropped stitches? Kelley loves the Fix-A-Stitch tools! They're uniquely made to make it very easy to quickly fix your knitting mistakes. Here, Kelley demonstrates how to use the Fix-A-Stitch to fix stockinette, purl stitches, and garter stitch using the Fix-A-Stitch tools. 
Read More