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Knitting with Breast Intentions
New volunteer program, Knitted Knockers, provides cotton breast prosthetics for cancer survivors
BY MOLLY PRIDDY OF THE BEACON
Sitting around the table at Woolen Collectibles in Kalispell, four women did what artisans have traditionally done for centuries: knitted and chatted, making no big deal of the amazing creations spooling into being at their ngertips.
But instead of the typical treasures made with yarn, such as sweaters or hats or scarves, the rhythmic click-clack of needles heralded something simple yet sincerely meaningful, in the way only a gift to a complete stranger can be.
And because of the inherent intimacy of these gifts, they’re all the more spe- cial: each woman knitting at the table was creating a cotton breast prosthesis, to be sent to a breast cancer survivor who has undergone mastectomies or other proce- dures to the breast.
Woolen Collectibles is now the site of Montana’s outlet for Knitted Knockers, a national organization of volunteer knit- ters making soft, comfortable, and beau- tiful prosthetics for free to anyone who requests them.
Tammy Thompson, owner at the shop, said she decided to start the program here because her mother heard about it from a friend whose daughter recently passed away after a battle with breast cancer.
“I noticed no one in Montana was doing it,” Thompson said, her hands keeping pace with her knitting while she made eye contact with a visitor.
Karen Lauer works on a pair of Knitted Knockers at Woolen Collectibles in Kalispell. GREG LINDSTROM | FLATHEAD BEACON
Each prosthetic is made from cotton or acrylic yarn with a poly ll batting, making them lightweight, breathable, and soft. Other prostheses are usually expensive, heavy, can get sweaty, and can be uncomfortable, and they can require special bras or camisoles.
Knitted Knockers are about com- fort, Thompson said, while also main- taining the shape and general feel of a breast. They can be made for cups sizes A through E, and the wearer has the lat- itude of customizing it for their life; the pieces are adjustable, and can facilitate
more or less batting or added weight.
As the sole Knitted Knockers group in the state so far, Thompson’s stable of volunteer knitters will send the cotton prostheses to anyone in Montana who requests them. Having just started up in March, they sent their rst set out last
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APRIL 13, 2016 // FLATHEADBEACON.COM