Knit a Knocker for the Brompton
The breastfeeding and expressing support team at the Brompton asked the Octavia Appeal, who in turn came to us to help them by obtaining a few pairs of knitted breasts. Babies born with heart conditions often find breastfeeding more difficult as they do not have the energy required for it and, with many newborn babies being transferred to the Brompton, it is vital they are able to support mothers with this. They have decided knitted breasts are the way forward to help them teach hand expressing techniques, positioning and attachments skills to new mums and to new staff.
Can you help us?
- Knitters : Thanks to Rubycon for testing out the knitting pattern. She says approx 50g plus a bit for the nipple.
- Crocheters : See the lovely DillyTante’s blog here, for a crochet pattern, and great blog piece, thank you to her for the link.
- No need to stuff, send your knockers to Pistey
She will stuff them and take them along to the Hospital. When ready for posting either email RatherBeOnThePiste for details if on MN, or email us here at admin@woollyhugs.com. Thank you
All the money in the world cannot buy this product so it’s a labour of love for the team.
Thank you Xx
How to Contact Us
If you need any more information, please do not hesitate to contact us. Once your knocker is finished, send us a message and we will give you all the details for posting. You can message us in a variety of ways…..
- PM us on Mumsnet – (KnottyLocks or RatherBeOnThePiste)
- Email us admin@woollyhugs.com
- Send us a message on the MNWoollyHugs Facebook page.
- Send us a message via Twitter MNWoollyHugs
Pattern courtesy of the Lactation Consultants of Great Britain http://www.lcgb.org/
(Slightly amended from a pattern by Carolyn Westcott IBCLC)
1 50g Ball of flesh coloured double knitting wool – choose your flesh colour
1 Some of darker colour double knitting wool
NB colours are not important – we are happy to have them in any colour you wish!
Pair of 3 1⁄4 mm / UK size 10 knitting needles
Cast on 71 stitches
* Work st st for 20 rows
1st decrease 21st row: K1, *K2 tog, K5, rep from * to end 22nd and alternate rows: purl
2nd decrease 23rd row: K1, *K2 tog, K4, rep from * to end
3rd decrease K3
Continue to decrease in this way and after 3rd decrease change to darker wool to make the areola
4th decrease K2
5th decrease K1
Continue decreasing until K1, *K2 tog, from *to end has been worked.
Nipple: st st 4 rows (see below for amendments)
Break yarn, thread through rem stitches, draw up and fasten off.
Sew sides together
In darker wool on the wrong side of work, make a draw-string stitch around the base of the nipple, draw up and fasten off. Tightening of this stitch determines the prominence of the nipple.
Experiment to get the type you want. It is good to have a variety of shapes and sizes, just as women do, (very flat, very small/large, inverted, etc), so they can see that all work!
To complete: crochet a wool circle in matching wool to fit the base of the breast, or cut some matching fabric. Stitch half the base in place, stuff the breast with foam or something squishy, (old tights or shoulder pads should work well), and stitch remaining part of base. Different sizes of breast can be made by amending the pattern, and different firmness achieved by amount of stuffing.
Some find the crochet base easier to do, as the knitting in the base is tight with the rapid increasing necessary. However, for those who cannot crochet and would like to knit the base –
With size 8 needles cast on 71 sts
|
Rows |
Sts |
|
|
1–3 |
Knit 3 Rows |
71 |
|
4th |
K1 (K2 tog K5) to end |
61 |
|
5th and alt rows |
Purl |
|
|
6th |
K1 (K2 tog K4) to end |
51 |
|
8th |
K1 (K2 tog K3) to end |
41 |
|
10th |
K1 (K2 tog K2) to end |
31 |
|
12th |
K1 (K2 tog K1) to end |
21 |
|
14th |
K1 (K2 tog) to end |
11 |
|
16th |
K1 (K2 tog) to end |
6 |
|
17th and 18th |
Knit |
6 |
Break off yarn, thread yarn through sts, draw up and seam
Ta Da!
