Bottoms Up Knocker

Bottoms Up Knocker

What Is Being Made

The Bottoms Up Knocker is a soft, comfortable, knit prosthetic designed for breast cancer survivors. This project creates a realistic and wearable breast form using beginner-friendly knitting techniques. The design is part of the Knitted Knockers initiative, which provides free patterns for creating custom-fitted prosthetics that are washable and made from soft yarn materials.

Craft and Technique Overview

This pattern uses knitting as the primary craft method. The Bottoms Up Knocker is specifically designed for double point needles, which allows knitters to work in the round without seaming. This approach is described as an easier starting point for creating Knitted Knockers while achieving the same high-quality result as other construction methods. The in-the-round knitting technique creates a seamless, three-dimensional form that is both comfortable and durable for the wearer.

Stitches and Techniques Used

This beginner-level pattern employs fundamental knitting stitches and increases:

• Cast On (CO) – Used to create the initial stitches, worked loosely to ensure proper tension
• Knit (K) – The basic stitch used throughout the majority of the pattern
• Knit into Front and Back (kfb) – An increase stitch used to shape the prosthetic form by creating additional stitches within existing stitches
• Knit 2 Together (k2tog) – A decrease stitch used to shape and finish the piece
• Purl (P) – Used as needed within the pattern structure

The pattern is worked in the round using a stitch marker to track the beginning of each round across the three double point needles.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Bottoms Up Knocker requires the following materials:

• Needles: One set of 7-8 inch double point needles in US size 4 or US size 5
• Yarn Weight: Sport or DK (Double Knit) weight yarn
• Yarn Type: Soft, washable, non-wool yarn approved by Knitted Knockers.org for distribution by knitting groups
• Additional Supplies: Stitch marker to denote needle 1, tapestry needle for finishing

Gauge and Sizing

Proper gauge is essential for achieving the correct fit and shape. The pattern specifies a gauge of 6 stitches equals 1 inch when using US size 4 needles with sport weight yarn. For knitters using DK weight yarn with US size 5 needles, the gauge is 5 stitches equals 1 inch. Starting with a 20-inch tail allows adequate yarn for weaving in ends and provides flexibility during construction.

Pattern Structure

The Bottoms Up Knocker begins with casting on 15 stitches divided evenly across three double point needles (5 stitches per needle). The bottom piece is constructed through a series of increases worked across all three needles in subsequent rounds. Round 1 involves knitting to the last stitch of each needle and working a kfb increase, adding 3 stitches total. Round 2 increases further by working kfb at the beginning and end of each needle, adding 6 stitches total. This systematic increase pattern continues to build the three-dimensional form of the prosthetic.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as beginner level, making it accessible to knitters who are new to the craft or those returning to knitting after a break. The use of double point needles and basic stitches keeps the learning curve manageable while still producing a professional-quality prosthetic that meets the comfort and fit needs of breast cancer survivors.

Designer and Organization

The Bottoms Up Knocker pattern was created by Claudia Barbo and revised by Laureen Furnas as of April 2017 (revision 5.1). This free, downloadable pattern is provided by KKSF Knitted Knockers.org, an independent designer organization based in Bellingham, Washington, dedicated to providing soft, comfortable knit prosthetics to breast cancer survivors at no cost.