Knitted Technology - Prosthetics for Breast Cancer Survivors | Community Spirit

Women who have undergone mastectomies have had limited options for prosthetics. Cheap, lumpy foam, or expensive, heavy silicone have been some of the only options available.

Now a new trend in the knitting/crocheting world has created a different option, knitted breasts.

At a Lakewood yarn shop, the "Knitty Titty Committee" have been gathering after work to knit the one of a kind prosthetics, some made to order, with custom colors and artistic touches. Women say the hand-made prosthetics are more breathable and comfortable, especially when it is up against scar tissue.

Sonya Acord recruited her Yorkshire Yarns customers to join KTC. The social knitters share laughs, old yarns, and patterns for knitting prosthetic breasts for cancer patients who've lost theirs.

"Well I wanted to represent the big girls," says Valerie Robinson. "Somebody has to do it so I'll knit the first big one."

They're donating double D's, A's, bold breasts with buttons, perky and pierced, firm and flowered, turning the knitty gritty topic of mastectomies into feminine fun.

"We like to call them seasonal boobs," Acord said. "There are some that are chillier than others."

Knitted breasts filled with stuffing cost about $5 to make an affordable alternative to silicone prostheses -- some which can run up to $500.

These home-spun remedies are softer and lighter than traditional prosthetics. 

Susan Walker is a bus driver whose hubby even likes her hooking hobby.

"He likes to check to make sure they're the right size," Walker said. "(He's) having fun with it too."

The women say if different undergarments can change your mood, why not breasts?

"I like pretty and I think probably women who have had the surgery don't feel that way anymore," said Sherry Grafstrom.

More information:

Breast Cancer Resource Center in Tacoma --  http://www.bcrcwa.org/

Yorkshire Yarns -- http://www.yorkshireyarns.com/