Knitting Titties

This weekend, I ventured downtown to this darling little knitting/fiber shop called In Sheep's Clothing. It is a great little shop; I've chatted with the owner on a couple of occasions, even though I haven't "knit" since my mother tried to teach me at the coordinated and patient age of 12. The owner doesn’t mind that my attempts at crocheting a baby blanket for my first step-nephew (now 2 and a half years old) have been thwarted with my inability to relax my death grip on the yarn. She thinks crocheting is difficult, anyway. So, ha!

I’d heard of an event called “Knitting for Knockers” that was taking place at the shop on Saturday. A bunch of ladies were getting together to knit breast prostheses for women who’ve had mastectomies. I thought I’d swing by, purchase some soft and pretty yarn to donate. I also wanted to see who these generous ladies were who had such a fantastic sense of humor.

Before I could finish protesting that, No! Really! I don’t know how to knit! I was whisked away to the downstairs studio. Happy, chatty ladies flocked around me and within seconds I was learning how to knit, purl, increase a row and knit an I-cord.

I came home with a pattern for the boobie, and will go back to the shop on Wednesday evening to get some help. Because! It requires three! double-tipped! Needles! Oh, my. Also, I really don’t know how to read a pattern just yet.

But guys – I think I am hooked. All weekend I’ve been practicing, happily passing time in the living room rocking chair. Knitting three rows, then purling two. I have made some interesting and overly-complicated attempts at increasing a row. But I am really proud of myself for remembering how to cast on and cast off.

Woo hoo! I know a couple of you are knitters. What was your first project? How long have you been knitting? What would be your ultimate project to complete?

I am very determined to see this through. I really want my first knitting project to be a boobie! Then, maybe I’ll try and tackle a pot holder or two.

Also, I have to admit it is really gratifying, in a selfish kind of way, to know that maybe this little project will help a woman make what must be a very difficult and frightening transition after a mastectomy. It feels like I am knitting a hug for someone.

Here are some patterns and the web site of Beryl Tsang, the woman who started knitting tits. The disclaimer about wearing a TitBit on an airplane is PRICELESS. Enjoy!

***

There were three ladies at “Knitting for Knockers” that I’ve known for years. One of them, M.F., offered to get together with me once a week, with another dear friend of ours, M.D., to help me learn to knit.

I can’t tell you how thrilled I am. Not only will I have the opportunity to learn to knit with someone rather than by staring at a book, but I get to spend time with two women whom I hold in very high regard. When I was still very active in the Catholic Church, I spent a great deal of time with both of these women. They are strong and actively faithful. They question things and force the problems they see in their faith and with the Church out into the light of day. They love the people in their lives unconditionally. I don’t feel the slightest bit uncomfortable around them, even though I haven’t been able to bring myself to attend church in the past few years. They know why I have chosen not to, and they even agree with my concerns. They are amazing, and I just really feel well, blessed to have a chance to spend some time with them again. It is these friendships that I miss most about my former church community.

They are also a helluva lot of fun; they are the women who named the event “Knitting for Knockers.” What a hoot.