In the final tally, 400 women benefited directly from this effort, with over $4,000 raised to cover the costs of getting knitted and crochet knockers (always free of charge) into the hands of women who have requested them.

3 WAYS YOU CAN HELP

1. Make knockers... You don’t need to stuff them; just send them and we’ll do the rest. Or bring them to STITCHES: 1543 were collected at the Knitted Knockers booth in the Market at STITCHES Texas 2016!
2. Spread the word... Everyone knows someone with breast cancer. Every time we share, we reach groups — knitters, crocheters, and the women who need knockers.
3. Donate... KnittedKnockers.org is a 501(c)(3) organization, 100% volunteer-run. Postage is $1,000 a month, but there are also printing costs.

Special Note: Since this campaign, the Knitted Knockers organization was also featured in Dear Abby. "Our Dear Abby letter has just exploded Knitted Knockers reach!  We have had 3,200 orders for 5,000 knockers come in in just 3 days.  Fortunately we have had hundreds of volunteers asking how they can help and knit or crochet for us, too!  We are so blessed to be able to say we can fill all those orders thanks in a big part to the help XRX Inc. has given us reaching out to the yarn industry and crafters." —Barbara
Click here to read that Dear Abby article online.

Last February, designers contributed one-of-a-kind knockers that were displayed in the Market at STITCHES West 2016 (find the story at KnittingUniverse.com/k123). More than just showing off their work, the Designer Knocker Wall became a place of healing, laughter, and tears as thousands thought of their own experiences and those of loved ones.

THE IDEA
In keeping with an ongoing partnership with Barbara Demorest and KnittedKnockers.org, STITCHES organized another Designer Knockers challenge for STITCHES Texas 2016 in September. This time yarn companies, vendors, and sponsors helped raise awareness. Entrants were encouraged to create a fun, unforgettable knocker design that would showcase their company and bring attention to the cause. Each entry would be judged, with winners earning bragging rights and the satisfaction of helping cancer survivors in a very real way.

The Showdown: We received 20 entries from 15 companies, including one that was a partnership between Skacel and the Seattle Seahawks. Each knocker reflected individual inspiration, creativity, and a commitment to help cancer survivors.

The knockers were displayed at the front of the STITCHES Market in Irving, Texas. Market attendees chose the People’s Choice by voting with cash for their favorite. Additionally, each knocker was judged in the categories of Best Branding and Most Creative.

On Sunday afternoon, just before the Market closed, the winning knockers were announced, with awards going to Clover USA (Sheila Rolfer) and Universal Yarn (Amy Gunderson) for Best Branding and to Prism Yarns (Laura Bryant) and Tahki-Stacy Charles/String Yarns (Joan Forgione with “Cancer Sucks!”) for Most Inspirational/Creative. Barbara and her team counted all of the donated dollar votes, with the People’s Choice award going to Buffalo Wool (Lynette Meek).

A buck a vote—each entry had its own Mason jar.

The Winners

First Blush from Prism Yarns, Laura Bryant
Most Inspirational/Creative

Lucky Trinity from Clover USA by Sheila Rolfer
Best Branding

Cancer Sucks! from Tahki-Stacy Charles Yarn
and String Yarns by Joan Forgione
Most Inspirational/Creative

Sparkle Nation Universal Yarns Amy Gunderson
Best Branding

Lady Jane from Buffalo Wool by Lynette Meek
People’s Choice

Sharing the hope and vision... Knitted Knockers president, Barbara Demorest (second from the left), and her team at the Knitted Knockers booth at STITCHES Texas 2016.