This is a FREE pattern.

Sitting one evening, wanting to start another pair of Softies, a knitted breast prosthetic that I designed, I began to wonder about other ways to engineer this pattern for an easier way to start. I enjoy working dpn needles but feel free to substitute two circular needles or the magic loop needle.

So what did I do? I turned my Softies on its head and called them Bust Buddies! These start at the center of the bottom, increase to the desired number of stitches, and then decreased down to 9 stitches. This easily memorized pattern is THE knitting project I take to meetings with a personal goal of knitting (at least) one pair per month. I donate them to hospitals, breast cancer runs and walks, and to breast cancer survivor events. Women love wearing them.

Bust Buddies begin with 19 stitches – no more fiddling with a few stitches – and then I use my clever way to connect these stitches into a circular approach which is the same way I connect the cast on for cuff-down socks that I think is perfect. Lots of words for an easy task – read it through a few times and then check out the pictures in the pattern.

Also check out some Stitch Marker Magic!

The back story: my mother-in-law struggled with the challenges of finding clothing to fit comfortably after a radical mastectomy back in the late 1960’s. I was knitting but never thought about knitting something as important as making her feel like the beautiful woman she was, and she would have loved these! Softies, and now Bust Buddies, are in honor of my dear mother–in-law, Anne Adler.

Bust Buddies: http://sandiegoknitters.com/philanthropy/softies/