What is a knitted knocker?
A knitted knocker is the name given to a hand-knitted prosthesis for ladies who have had a
mastectomy or lumpectomy, as an alternative to the ones issued by hospitals. The knocker is
made in 100% mercerised cotton, with non-allergenic filling. It is lightweight, extremely
comfortable and fits into an ordinary bra. Knockers are made by volunteers and are given free of
charge to anyone who requests one.
How the movement started- USA
A few years ago, a lady in Maine, USA, developed a knitted knocker following a mastectomy as
she was not comfortable with the prosthesis the hospital had given her… A short while later a
lady in Washington State heard about the knitted knocker after herself being dissatisfied with
what was available, following a mastectomy. A friend made one for her. She was thrilled with
the result and wanted every woman, throughout the world, in her position, to have access to
them, free of charge. Knitted Knockers.org was formed and the rest is history. There are
currently over 500 Knitted Knocker groups in 30 different countries. Each group works
independently.
Knitted Knockers in Spain
Knitted knockers in Spain was formed in 2015 by two ladies, Margaret (Maggie) Stevenson and
Karen Wallentek-Smith, living in the small town of Mollina, in the province of Málaga. Karen had
recently had a mastectomy and mentioned to Maggie, a keen knitter, that she wished she could
have a knitted knocker. She knew they were available in the UK and USA, but no one seemed
to have heard of them in Spain. Intrigued, that evening Maggie did an internet search,
discovered the pattern and presented Karen with her very first knitted knocker the next morning.
Karen was thrilled and the news of the knitted knocker soon spread.
In May 2016 Maria Bailey volunteered to help Maggie and Karen. As Maria was based on the
Costa, she began promoting knitted knockers in that area. Knitted Knockers Costa del Sol was
formed in November 2016 and became a registered non-profit association, with Maria as
President and Maggie as Secretary.
Developments
Since 2016, the association has attracted many volunteers and supporters.
With support and encouragement from the team in America, the association is listed in the
Knitted Knockers International Register as providers to Spain, Morocco and The Philippines.
Asociacion Knitted Knockers Costa del Sol NIF: G93538700
www.kkscostadelsol.org
Since forming, we have distributed over 2,500 knitted knockers, with over 1,500 distributed
during 2019.
Thanks to a great deal of hard work from everyone involved, major developments have taken
place.
In 2019 , a ‘Convenio’/ Agreement was signed with AECC (Asociacion Espanola Contra el
Cancer), to provide knitted knockers, for distribution in hospitals and AECC Centres throughout
Malaga. Two projects were funded by the La Cala de Mijas Lions Club , one to provide 500
knitted knockers for the hospitals, and a second project to provide 500 knitted knockers to
AECC Centres and other Cancer Support Centres, throughout Andalucia.
Spanish communities
As a result of the collaboration with AECC, and also due to forming
strong links with a Spanish knitting group, Malaga Knits , news of our work reached the Spanish
community and many Spanish ladies started to become interested in our work and in
volunteering for us.
Workshops
During 2019 weekly workshops began at AECC Fuengirola and in Coín . These
workshops bring volunteers together and have become vital in continuing to supply knitted
knockers to ladies throughout Spain, and beyond.
In 2020 additional workshops will start in AECC Malaga and in Alhaurin el Grande .
Beyond the Costa: As the association grew, volunteers were recruited in other regions,
including Almeria, Murcia and Alicante.
In an effort to make our service accessible to all of Spain, in 2019, the trading name of the
association was changed to Knitted Knockers Espana . The website and all materials are
available in both English and Spanish.
Why we need donations and supporters
As the association is voluntary and knitted knockers are provided free, donations are vital to
enable us to continue our work. Since formation, we have been very fortunate to receive
continued support from Costa Women and La Cala de Mijas Lions Club . We have also
received many more donations from other sources, both large and small, and are extremely
grateful for every cent we receive. With no overheads to pay, all donations go directly towards
making and distributing knitted knockers.
As news of our service grows, the demand increases. As we spread to other areas, more
volunteers are needed, including people willing to help to promote our association and to fund
raise for us.
Feedback
The feedback we receive from ladies is incredible. To think that something so simple
to make, taking relatively little time, can make such a difference to how a lady feels is humbling.
All knitted knockers are made with love and are seen as a gift, from one lady to another.
Priceless.
Asociacion Knitted Knockers Costa del Sol NIF: G93538700
www.kkscostadelsol.org
For more information, please contact us, by email or via our website.
Asociacion Knitted Knockers Costa del Sol NIF: G93538700
www.kkscostadelsol.org
