Knitted Knockers and Apple Yarns: How Compassion and Craft Support Breast Cancer Survivors
When you walk into Apple Yarns in Bellingham, Washington, you expect to see soft yarns, inspiring projects, and a warm community of makers.
What you may not know is that behind the scenes, Apple Yarns — and its owner, Andrea Evans — play a vital role in one of the most impactful breast cancer support programs in the country: KnittedKnockers.org.
Together, they’re proving that a pair of knitting needles — and a lot of heart — can change lives.
What Are Knitted Knockers?
Knitted Knockers are soft, lightweight, hand-knitted or crocheted breast prostheses made for women who have undergone mastectomy or lumpectomy surgery.
Unlike traditional prosthetics, which can be heavy, hot, or expensive, knitted knockers are:
-
Soft, comfortable, and breathable
-
Easy to fit in a regular bra
-
Washable and adjustable
-
Completely free to any woman who requests them
Every Knitted Knocker is handmade by a volunteer knitter or crocheter and sent at no cost to breast cancer survivors.
It’s a simple act of compassion that brings comfort, dignity, and confidence to thousands of women each year.
The Role of Apple Yarns and Andrea Evans
Since the inception of KnittedKnockers.org, Andrea Evans, co-owner of Apple Yarns, has served on the nonprofit’s Board of Directors.
From day one, she has been a guiding force in helping the organization grow — and Apple Yarns has gone far beyond moral support.
Apple Yarns proudly provides:
-
The official mailing address for Knitted Knockers
-
Warehouse and storage space for thousands of donated prosthetics
-
Pattern and material support for knit and crochet knockers,
-
Event hosting, including community stuffing and drop-off days
Apple Yarns has become the operational home for Knitted Knockers — ensuring this life-changing program runs smoothly, efficiently, and with the love only a yarn community can give.
As Andrea puts it,
“It makes going to the mail a lot of fun.”
Every package sent from Apple Yarns carries warmth, care, and a tangible message of hope.
Why Knitted Knockers Matter: The Breast Cancer Connection
October may be Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but the need for compassion lasts all year long.
Here’s why programs like Knitted Knockers are so important:
-
1 in 8 women in the U.S. will develop invasive breast cancer in her lifetime.
-
In 2025, an estimated 316,950 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, with another 59,000 diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).
-
Sadly, 42,000 women are expected to die from the disease this year.
-
However, thanks to early detection and community programs like Knitted Knockers, survival rates continue to improve.
(Sources: American Cancer Society, Susan G. Komen Foundation)
After surgery, many women struggle with the emotional and physical effects of losing a breast.
Reconstruction can take months — or may not be an option at all. That’s where Knitted Knockers step in, providing a soft, handmade solution that restores confidence and comfort immediately.
More Than a Yarn Shop: A Hub for Hope
Apple Yarns isn’t just a yarn store — it’s a hub for compassion and community giving.
By supporting KnittedKnockers.org, Apple Yarns helps connect thousands of knitters and crocheters around the world who want to make a difference.
Local volunteers drop off handmade knockers, participate in group events, and share patterns that spread comfort and awareness.
What began as a small grassroots idea by Barb Demorest in Bellingham has grown into an international movement, supported by yarn shops, hospitals, and volunteers in over 40 countries — and Apple Yarns has been a part of it from the start.
How You Can Help
You don’t have to be an expert knitter or crocheter to make an impact. Here are a few ways you can help:
🧶 Make a Knocker
Download free knit and crochet patterns from KnittedKnockers.org and create your own soft prosthetics for donation. Our favorite yarns are Pandamonium and Ultra Pima.
🤝 Spread the Word
Tell your friends, family, and local crafting groups about Knitted Knockers.
Awareness saves lives — and comfort changes them.
❤️ Support Apple Yarns
When you shop locally at Apple Yarns, you’re helping sustain a business that gives back every day.
Your purchases directly support warehouse space and pattern support for Knitted Knockers.
Compassion in Every Stitch
At the heart of both Apple Yarns and KnittedKnockers.org is a belief that handmade kindness matters.
Every knocker, every stitch, every package sent out represents love, resilience, and the strength of community.
From her place on the board to the shelves of her shop, Andrea Evans continues to lead with empathy — proving that something as simple as yarn can make the world a softer, kinder place.