DALE crafters hoping to help women recovering from breast surgery are offering lightweight knitted and crocheted prosthesis.
Hazel Mccallum, from Barnard Castle, and members of her craft group have been creating tiny knitted hats for premature babies for some time. They decided to look at other items they could create and came up with North East Knockers.
Ms Mccallum said: “We started with a small craft group doing premmie baby hats and I felt like we could get a bit bored and investigated what other things.”
She discovered an initiative in America that creates special handmade breast prosthesis for women who have undergone mastectomies, and decided to offer alternative lightweight knitted or crocheted “knockers” .
She added: “I decided to keep the approach local and have spoken to the Durham and Darlington hospitals and they have samples.
“We have already done two sets and are planning to organise a mail drop to the surgeries in the North East to let people know they are available.”
North East Knockers, in conjunction with Macmillan Cancer Support, are free to anyone who has had a mastectomy or another breast procedures.
The knockers are knitted or crocheted as one piece, using special hypoallergenic cotton yarn, so they are comfortable to wear.
They are filled with quality toy stuffing, are machine washable and come in a range of colours.
She added: “It takes a lot of skill for both the knitters and crocheters because it is quite finickity. It takes about two or three hours to make each one and we can make them in a range of sizes from A to E.”
The knockers come in pairs and are presented in a gift box with a handmade card.
Ms Mccallum said: “It would be lovely if people got in touch and we could help them. Although the hospital is able to speak with people who have just been diagnosed or are going through treatment, we want to let people know who are maybe no longer in constant contact with the hospital.
She added: “They are a gift from women who want to help.”
To find out more or to try them out, contact Hazel Mccallum by emailing northeast
[email protected].
