Frequently Asked Questions

What are Knitted Knockers?

Knitted Knockers are special, soft, light weight breast prosthetics that are very comfortable for women who have undergone mastectomies, lumpectomies and radiation, and/or are undergoing reconstruction.

What information do I need to provide to order a knitted knocker?

We will need your full name, full mailing address, your cup size (prior to any procedures), if a single or a pair are needed, and if you have a color preference. There is no difference between right or left if you are ordering a single.

How long will it take to receive my Knitted Knockers?

Our goal is to have them mailed within 2 weeks and if it’s a custom order please allow 3-4 weeks. We mail them out via Canada post so that arrival time may be dependent on holidays and the final destination.

Can a knitted knocker work for a breast that is uneven or shrunken due to lumpectomy and/or radiation? Or while going through tissue expansion reconstruction?

Yes, knitted knockers are very adjustable. Request the full size of knocker and then simply remove and shift stuffing to the area needing fullness. The back is left open to allow for adjusting. When adjusted cinch up the back and tuck in the yarn tail loosely inside the hole.

Can I adjust the fit of my knitted knocker?​

You can customize the fit of your knocker by adding or subtracting the filling by opening the back of your knocker (this should appear like a draw string and it is ok to open the back… you won’t undo the knitted stitches!). Once you have the fit you like, you can seam up the hole if you like. The knockers have been overstuffed to allow for this adjustment. If you need additional stuffing it can be purchased at any craft store.

How do I wear them?

They can be worn with any regular bra, sports bra, mastectomy bra or post-op camisole. Depending on what type of bra you are wearing it can also be lightly sewn into the bra for added comfort and less chance that it will move around. Some women prefer to add a weight to the knocker and you can do this by adding a small stone or crystal that you can buy at a craft store to get the weight you desire.

What are the knockers made of?

The knockers are made of 100% Pima Cotton which make them soft and comfortable and washable and are filled with a high quality fibre fill that is hypoallergenic and also washable.​

How do I wash my knockers?

You can wash your knocker stuffed or unstuffed on the gentle cycle and hang to dry.

Can I wear my Knocker(s) for swimming?​

Knitted Knockers used for swimming (“Aqua Knockers”) are made of an acrylic yarn so they dry faster and are also filled with a more dense stuffing so that the water drains away from them and is not absorbed.

My Knitted Knocker rides up how do I keep it in place?​

While Knitted Knockers can be worn with most bras some work better than others. A snug fit full coverage bra works best. Some women have attached a Velcro tab in their bra. A simple pin works too. Loosely stitching the knocker into the bra works fine as it can be washed along with the bra and air dried.

How much do the Knitted Knockers cost?

They are FREE! We are 100% volunteer run so donations are always appreciated, but never required.

Knitted knockers are made by volunteer knitters. They do it because they care and want to make a difference. Knitted Knockers of Canada is a Federally Registered Not For Profit organization that can receive donations. Postage alone costs over $1,000 a month plus materials, website management, etc. really adds up. No wages are paid out. These costs are covered by the generosity of donors who wish to help make a difference in the thousands of women’s lives impacted by breast cancer and mastectomy. Donations can be made through our website or mailed to us at 115 Fiddlehead Cres. Waterdown, Ontario L8B 0Y1

Who invented Knitted Knockers?​

A young woman from Maine owned a yarn shop and had breast cancer. After her mastectomy she made a breast prosthesis for herself. She and friends started making them to give away and came up with the name Knitted Knockers. We worked with our wonderful affiliate in the USA Knitted Knockers Support Foundation aka knittedknockers.org to start this wonderful group here in Canada and proceeded to reach out to the women who could use them and the wonderful volunteer knitters that could make them. We are located in Waterdown, Ontario and provide knockers and materials to inspire and equip knitters to make them for their own communities all over the country. We believe the original ingenious pattern was “Tit Bits” by Beryl Tsang that has been revised since then by various groups.​

How many Knitted Knockers groups are there?

There are many wonderful groups using the name Knitted Knockers and giving out free breast prosthesis. We are Knitted Knockers of Canada located in Waterdown, Ontario. We provide knitted knockers to women in every province across Canada and help groups in local communities get started so that they can provide knitted knockers in their own communities. Our goal is to eventually have a chapter in each province across Canada that can provide knitted knockers to the women in their province. If you are interested in becoming a provincial provider pleases email Nancy at nancy@knittedknockerscanada.com. There are other groups not affiliated with Knitted Knockers of Canada as they may not be a registered entity, they may use different patterns, yarns, and/or methods of distribution.

I am a knitter, what kind of yarn can I use to make the knockers?

Our preferred yarn is the Cascade Ultra Pima cotton as it is soft and washes well. Any soft, washable, non-wool yarn of the correct weight (DK, sport, baby or 3 weight) will work. If you are using a cotton yarn, the mercerized cotton is the best as it washes up softly. Please remember the recipient of the knocker will be wearing this all day so softness, comfort and being easy to wash are important! For our Aqua knockers we are using an acrylic yarn with the same weight mentioned above. You can find the preferred yarn list on our website.

What are your most requested sizes?

We get requests for all sizes but the largest number of requests are for pairs of size Bs and Cs and larger of the neutral colors.

Where do I send them when they are done?

If you don’t have a local drop-off location, we can always use them to fill orders from our website. They can be mailed unstuffed to save on postage to:

Knitted Knockers of Canada
115 Fiddlehead Cres.,
Waterdown, Ontario, L8B 0Y1

Be sure and include your contact information so we can thank you.

How can I help?

Thank you for your interest in supporting our cause. Our supporters are greatly appreciated. Here are some things you can do to help:

1. Help us to create awareness by liking and sharing our posts on Facebook
2. Spread the word with your local media connections. Let us know what you are doing so we can share it with our thousands of followers.
3. If you can knit (or crochet) make knockers!
4. Donate. We are 100% volunteer run and postage alone runs over $1,000 per month. Donations can be mailed to:
   Knitted Knockers of Canada
   115 Fiddlehead Cres.,
   Waterdown, Ontario
   L8B 0Y1or donate through Paypal.

“I cannot believe how comfortable these are. It is very touching to think that someone made these by hand for me….please share my thanks to your volunteer knitters.”

“I received my knockers in the mail yesterday – they are fabulous and so comfortable – I can’t get over it!!! Thank you so much.”