Knitted Knockers provide soft landing for breast cancer survivors

"Not everybody wants to have that thing poking out."

And so, Kim Tomlindoesn't sew nippleson all thebreast prostheses she makes for acancer survivors.

However, she andher band of volunteers are happy tocustomize their creations for the women who need them.

"So you can have a nipple, or not have a nipple, and you can have lime green if you want. Or you can have skin-tone, which is I gotta say, ismore popular."

• Abandoned baby birds in N.S. enjoy nests knitted by 2 P.E.I. women
• Edmonton grandmother knits 1,000 hats for the homeless

Tomlin recently founded Knitted Knockers Alberta, a Calgary-based volunteer group that makes you guessed it knockers.

Each breast weighs a mere 30 grams,can be placed inside any regular bra and are 100 per cent free.

Tomlin says while a traditional, silicone gel-filled ones work for many women who have had a mastectomy or lumpectomy, some find them "little hot and heavy."

Made from super softUltra Pima DK Cotton yarn, she says knitted knockers are a comfortable alternative that canbe altered to fit any woman's body after surgery.

"When we send these out in the mail, we leave a little hole open on the edge so a lady can take the stuffing out where she doesn't need it," said Tomlin.

The knockers are filled with a polyester fibre donated by the Ontario-based company, Eversoft.

Tomlin says the stuffing isspecially treated to make it feel as fluffy asa down pillow.

She is recruiting more volunteers and is looking for "fairly accomplished knitters" who are comfortable using four needles.