The Connections Bridgewater Somerville Edition Dec 2019-Jan 2020

theconnectionsnj.com • Selling • Buying • Investing • Vacation Rentals Donna Freedland Realtor Cell: 908-672-2309 Call or Text DFreedland@vandykgroup.com INC. Office: 609-492-1511 x 1102 Email: DFreedland@vandykgroup.com DFreedland.vandykrealestate.com 12800 Long Beach Boulevard, Beach Haven Terrace, NJ 08008 Since 1946 Now is the Best Time to Buy on LBI! Contact me for all the latest listings! Resort and Second Home Specialist ONE SKEIN CAN MAKE A SIZEABLE DIFFERENCE By: Carolyn Hanson Carolyn Hanson is a local knitting and crochet designer, teacher and fiber artist. She can be contacted at cchanson3@gmail.com . Last month was Breast Cancer Awareness Month and The Connection Magazine included an article about Knitted Knockers and the NJ representative who shared her story and mis- sion. A knitting friend reached out to Lenore Grubman, an RN and 8 year breast cancer sur- vivor, who then contacted me. I was moved by her cause and wanted to do more than just knit. So here I am reaching out to all of you to lend a hand and use your talents to help another woman in a time of need. Knitted Knockers are soft knitted or crocheted prosthetics that fit into a bra or bathing suit for women who have survived breast cancer and have not undergone reconstructive sur- gery. Due to the sensitive nature of the wound, Knitted Knockers are in demand because they are soft, non-irritating, light weight, made with love, and FREE to anyone who needs them. The Knitted Knockers Support Foundation has gone to great lengths to test the cho- sen yarns, and approve the materials for durability, dryablity, breathability and weight for both knitted and crocheted knockers. Cotton is the chosen yarn, though for bathing suits only, acrylic is used. The list of yarn brands and yarn names is included with the free pat- tern available on Knittedknockers.org. In addition to the specific materials, another consideration is the need for knockers to match typical bra sizes A – DD. For this reason, gauge is critical. To get the required gauge, the material used is specific to knitted and crocheted versions. Since knitting is a smooth stitch, the knitted version can use a heavier cotton yarn. Crochet versions must use a thin- ner cotton since crochet is a denser stitch and uses more yarn. Remember to test your gauge! I easily found Tahki-Stacy Charles Mercerized Cotton (108 yds) in my stash (for knitting), and Patton’s Glace (136 yds) at Michaels (for crochet). I printed the patterns from the site. The instructions were easy to follow. I used double points rather than the magic-loop and was able to complete one knocker in an evening. For the knitted versions, I used size 5 needles and for crochet a size F hook. Yardage used for a pair of each cup size A-D was: Knitted A – 55 yds B – 71 yds C – 87 yds Crocheted D – 164 yds. [Crochet uses 2-3 times more yardage than knitting.] The pattern starts at the front center and increases evenly to the edge. Then it decreases swiftly ending with an opening at the back for future stuffing. I was able to make 3 knitted pair in different sizes with 2 skeins of yarn. The larger crochet ver- sion needed more than 1 skein. Colorwize, any color is acceptable. Currently there is a request for black and other dark colors. Knockers can also be embel- lished with embroidery or designs. Feel free to be creative on the front. All sizes are needed. Once complete, there is no need for stuffing, that will be done back at the Foundation where the knockers are inspected and distributed. Since Knitted Knockers Support Foundation is a non-profit organization, shipping expenses to recipients add up, so mone- tary donations are always appreciated. Final step is to contact Lenore at the Auxiliary of the JFK Medical Center Foundation (732- 321-7085) to arrange a drop-off, or you can send knockers directly to Knitted Knockers Support Foundation, 1780 Iowa St, Bellingham, WA 98229. Please include your contact information and yarn label for identification. Let’s get those needles clicking and hooks flying for a great cause. In this season of giving, doing for others is good for all. One skein can be powerful. home & design PAGE 50