This pattern is my contribution to the #titsoutcollective orchestrated by Countess Ablaze, in response to a plethora of issues us women face in our professional and personal lives.

Say no
Say no to the undervaluation of women’s work
Say no to the policing of women’s bodies
Say no to misogyny
Say no to sexual harassment and assault
Say no to domestic abuse
Say no for those who can’t
Say no, even though we shouldn’t have to
Say no

And lastly, I want to say to those of you who may have mixed feelings about all the tits talk around this project, whether it’s because of a mastectomy or gender dysphoria or whatever your story is: I see you. I hear you. You’ve been in my thoughts throughout this project.

When you bow your heads tomorrow
At the world we build today
I want you to remember
That I stood my ground and said no (say no)
I said no,
Say no!
- D. Gildenlöw

Some practical information

• Yarn: 1 x 50 gram skein of each colour Here’s a bundle of yarn alternatives.
• Needles: 1 x DPNs or magic loop circular gauge size needles & 1/2 below gauge size needles.
• Gauge ranges from 24 to 34 sts = 10cm/4”, depending on size. The wonderful thing about woollen spun yarn is that it can be used with vastly different gauges.
• Sizes ranges from 9cm width (pre-teen) to 15cm width (men’s xl), depending on gauge
• In other words, gauge is important to achieve the desired size.
• If you are completely lost regarding needles, gauge and size, I can tell you that the average knitter would likely get an average women’s size using 2.5mm/US1 1/2 needles. This is a bit of a gamble though, as everyone’s tension differs.

The suggested yarns are categorised as different weights (sport, fingering, 4ply). This is often because these yarns are from countries that don’t use these categories. However, if you hold strands from each yarn together side by side, you’ll notice they look very much the same.