Knitted Knockers: The Name Says it All
Help Knitted Knockers, well, knit knockers!
When I first heard of Knitted Knockers, I thought, you've got to be kidding me. A charity that actually knits fake breasts? It just sounded too crazy to be real. But the more I've learned about Knitted Knockers, the more I've come to respect the work they're doing -- and for that reason, I absolutely had to share this amazing charity project with you.
What on earth are knitted knockers?
Knitted Knockers knits prosthetic breasts for mastectomy patients. That might not sound like a high need or even reasonable charity knit project. But stop and think for a second. Breast cancer survivors often face the frustration of losing one breast, resulting in a lopsided chest and an uncomfortable life in more ways than one -- aside from appearance, there's the fact that nothing fits properly anymore.The medical solution is silicone prosthetic breasts. So why are we even talking about charity knitting these things? Because silicone is an expensive and uncomfortable option. Just one costs between $300 and $500, and while some types of insurance will cover this, they won't replace the prosthetic if it leaks or something.
With knitted knockers, though, mastectomy patients get a comfortable charity knit prosthetic made of breathable fabric. It's inexpensive, easy, and you don't have to worry about wearing them out. Plus, you can tailor them to suit your personality -- a little nicer than a hunk of uncomfortable silicone.
More to the point, the touching story on the Knitted Knockers website reveals that you often can't get prosthetics for more than three weeks after surgery. Imagine the frustration for women already suffering from cancer who just want to be able to run to the store without people staring at them.
How you can help
You guessed it: with charity knitting, of course. And this time we have a fun project for you.
First of all, visit the Knitted Knockers website and read up on what they're doing. They'll amaze you, I promise!
Second, download some of their free charity knitting patterns and get knitting!
Third, spread the word. Tell your knitting friends about Knitted Knockers, and think about starting a knitting for charity group based on this project. It's very worthwhile.
While you're doing all this, keep a few things in mind.
-There's no wrong or right size, style, or pattern, so use your imagination and have fun
-Consult the site for instructions on how to stuff the finished product. Notice that the organization leaves a small hole so women can add or remove stuffing as needed to get the right size.
-Watch what kind of yarn you use. Remember, the goal here is comfort, so itchy wool or nonwashable fabrics are not a great idea. The Knitted Knockers site recommends a cotton and tencel blend, but any natural fabrics, especially cotton and bamboo, will work well.
If you're bored with regular charity knitting, never fear -- just go and check out Knitted Knockers!
