COVID-19 Update: We are committed to supporting medical facilities in providing free knitted knockers to their patients. Knitted Knockers is continuing to provide Knockers and services on a limited basis to the best of our ability. Regretfully we are unable to supply knockers or print materials to clinics directly at this time. Please check back after May 15th when hopefully we can again provide support and materials. In the meantime patients can order knockers from us directly at knittedknockers.org. If you have a local group providing knockers to you feel free to contact them. Print materials are also available at knittedknockers.org under the “downloads” link
Knitted Knockers are handmade breast prostheses for women who have had breast cancer and undergone mastectomy or lumpectomy. They are soft, comfortable and beautiful. When placed in a regular bra they take the shape and feel of a real breast.
One of our main goals is to partner with medical clinics, cancer centers, nurse navigators, imaging centers, radiologists, and breast surgeon offices to provide free knitted knockers to their patients. We currently support over 2,370 medical clinics across the country. Those clinics are finding this to be a wonderful way to offer their patients an alternative to traditional breast prosthetics. These are free and don’t require special fittings, order specialists, prosthetic bras, or insurance approval.
Our knockers are easily adjustable by removing and shifting stuffing, and can be worn as soon as the patients get doctor approval. They work nicely for women going through tissue expansion reconstruction. They can be helpful for lumpectomies with radiation because a breast may end up being lopsided. By removing a little stuffing the patient will look and feel balanced again!
Free detailed brochures are available for waiting and exam rooms. They have space on the back to add your information. We have business cards directing women to order their own free knitted knockers at knittedknockers.org in any size they wish, sizes A-DD and larger. They can choose the color and whether they need a single or pair. All knockers come with information sheets explaining washing and care instructions and that they were made by volunteer knitters. To order materials simply click here.
There are two ways that we partner with medical providers:
- We are happy to send you free sample knitted knockers to show your patients, business cards and informative brochures. These materials make it very easy for patients to go online at their convenience and order their free knitted knockers.
- We can also match clinics with local knitting groups who will provide you with knitted knockers to give to your patients. Having knockers available at a clinic or office is a win/win for everyone. Patients get to choose the color and style they prefer and take them home right then and there. Plus this saves shipping costs for us.
If you already have groups making other projects for you (such as chemo caps) we would love to partner with them. Have them contact us and we will equip them with patterns and our approved yarn lists so they can supply you directly.
To start the process of providing this free option to your patients please complete this simple form: Medical Provider Form.
Knitted Knockers Support Foundation is a 501(c)3 run 100% by volunteers. We survive strictly through donations. The cost of providing materials to a clinic runs us approximately $200 a year. All donations are sincerely appreciated. But please do not let that stop you from partnering with us. We want to reach all the women who can use them. More information can be found at our Make a Donation link on our home page.
Thank you for helping us bring comfort and dignity to women’s lives!
“Julie, a nurse, said to me, ‘I sure wish you could be there when we have a woman who is dejected, wondering what they are going to do… and we bring out the bag of knockers. It always brings a smile to their face at a difficult time, and sometimes tears.’ I don’t need to be there to see it. I know, because I was one of them.”~ Barb
“Thank you, thank you! I am so grateful for my knockers! Severe nerve pain and post-op sensitivity made wearing even the softest forms intolerable. I didn’t know how I was going to return to work or ever wear anything. The day my surgeon’s office gave me your website flyer, I went online and ordered my knockers. They arrived fast! When I opened the package, I cried tears of relief and joy. They are so soft, comfortable and natural looking. Thanks to you, I was able to return to work looking like myself, being comfortable and feeling great”
“There is a woman of color who had bilateral surgery over 20 years ago. Her body forms keloids. Her prosthetic was irritating causing irritation, pain, more scabs, etc. They gave her two Knitted Knockers three weeks ago. When she left the clinic, she threw the prosthetics into the trash and had a smile on her face. The nurses said that was the first time that they have seen her smile in TWENTY years.”
“Wore my knitted knocker to my oncologist’s….she was amazed by it…so amazed that she called in my nurse navigator. Neither one had ever seen one. Do you have info, samples and/or business cards?? Thanks!”