It is scarves, hats, and the occasional lace piece that make their way into my finished things bags. What to do with all this stuff? I have various colors of pinks, love me some pink, blues, black and purple yarn calling out to me to do something with it. Sigh. It is all too much. The multiple bags of yarn always call to my knitting heart, but what to do with it all? Then one day on Facebook, the world of everything, whether you need it or not, I see Awesome Breastforms. A bright light went off above my head. Aha! Here is a cause that I can get behind that will eat up some of my stash! At least, that was the idea.

Every crafter has a ton of extra material that they swear they will use one day only to find that they cannot live without this or that. This was nothing different. The only difference was it was not for me or for a family member, but for complete strangers.

“What do I know about making knitted anything that requires either using my hated double pointed sticks or figuring out how to do magic loop?” I think as I stare at the PDFs of the pattern for the knitted boobs.

“Well, there is nothing for it. I’ll have to learn something that scares the snot out of me,” I said, and I did. Magic loop is not as bad as you might think. It allows the knitter to make small articles like socks, hats, and amigarumi animals without having to use those damn double pointed sticks. As I perused the Facebook site and waited for my admittance into this new group, I watched various YouTube videos on how to do a magic loop. Once that was done and I got approved from the website’s moderators, a great group of ladies, I was on my way.

Let me say something about this site. Awesomebreastform.org consists of a small, but growing group of like-minded crafty ladies who want to give back something of themselves to those who have suffered from breast cancer. Millions of women each year are diagnosed with this disease and lose their curves from mastectomies or lumpectomies. We at Awesome Breastforms create and give away forms of various sizes to ladies all over the world, giving these women back their curves.

I got my first order back in September 2015 and was so happy. I had just learned how to do a magic loop with one really long double pointed needle and was off to the races. My lady was from Canada, and I was so excited to be able to make this boob for her. She only required a B size, and I worked diligently on that form, making sure that it fit the exact standards of the group guidelines. I took a few pictures for my own memories and sent it off.

“That was great! What is the next one?” I excitedly said to myself. On to the Facebook group I went.
I must tell you that there are two versions of the form that can be ordered from the website, one with a nipple and one without. I do not like the nipple form I made too much. I will have to work on that until I am happy with it and then and only then will I accept an order from a lady that wants a nipple form. My first test form, for approval, was accepted by the moderators, but I felt it was bulky and not very well done. So, no nipple forms for me. I was working on my second form, a size D, when I got a lovely letter from my lady, Linda.

“It was pure delight when I opened it and discovered the ‘beautifully knitted boob.’ Thank you so much for your hands of love in crafting this uplifting gift. May God bless you as you have kindly blessed me and many others!”

This letter was unexpected but was beautiful and kept me going when the magic loop technique got annoying. I was so moved. This is why I knit, I decided. Making hats and scarves for me or family members is one thing, but to actually make a difference for someone just through yarn and a desire to give back–that is why I do it.

I still love those long winter nights sitting on the couch with a coffee, always have to have coffee, or cookies, cakes, anyway, picking out the next project and anticipating the enjoyment that I get from making something with my own hands. Seeing the piece lengthen and feeling the weight of it as progress is made makes knitting more, well, awesome than not doing it out of frustration.

The awesome breastform group is growing rapidly, and it is such a great group of women. Like any knitting group that I have physically been to, there are plenty of people to offer help or encouragement. It is a wonderful environment. The ladies, and a few men, are so giving and do not expect anything from you except to show and tell your current project. The feedback from the women who receive these forms is amazing. Amanda G. of Stamps AR requested a form and could not be happier that we do this. “Just thank you! I have been so hesitant to go get fitted for one of those heavy silicone types. I just felt that I would not like them. So, I have been going one-sided since May. I don’t mind most of the time but sometimes, you just need to be even. These sound wonderful!”

There are so many other wonderful sentiments like Amanda’s on the website. Reading many of them puts tears in my eyes. I feel blessed to have found Awesome Breastforms and can use my knitting skills to make something truly wanted and welcome.

Thousands of forms have been sent out over the past seven months this website has been active. I get to be a part of something momentous that is growing every day. We give women their curves back. I get to make women feel beautiful and feel good about themselves after such a troubling experience. Unfortunately, cancer strikes without reason, and for those who have had to suffer, I am glad to know that they are not alone. There are men and women, crafters, who are willing to give out of their own pockets and time to give women back their curves.