Lactation Model, Revisited

After considerable delay, I've found my original notes to the breasts I crocheted last year. I had given/sold all my models away and didn't want to recreate them, but now I've got the pattern. These were made for the lactation consultants at our hospital, who are sometimes teaching in front of a group and need, er, a model. They are lightly stuffed and could be compressed into a lab coat pocket, but I don't recommend pulling them out at the cafeteria while looking for change unless you want a lot of attention.

I think with a little customization, they could be used as prosthetics for mastectomy patients.

The pattern follows. Feel free to make for personal use, but please don't make them to sell, except as a charity donation. Without any further ado, my first published crochet pattern:

BREAST MODELS

Made in "Latte" and "Espresso" variations.

Size

Originals unavailable, but they were about a C cup.

Materials

--Yarn--Latte is made from Red Heart Super Saver, 7 oz/198 g, 364 yd/333 m per skein, colors Buff and Cafe

--Espresso is made from Caron’s Perfect Match, 7 oz./198 g., 355 yd./325 m per skein in Espresso and Taupe

--Size G hook

--Polyfil

--Optional—River Rocks, available from crafts stores.

Abbreviations
beg beginning rd round(s)
ch chain sc single crochet
dec decrease sl st slip stitch
FO finish off st stitch
inc increase yo yarn over

Color Changes
One of the best ways to change colors is during the last sc of old color; stop before drawing through loops. Change to new color in left hand, use it to draw through the loops, then continue in new color for a few sts. Pause to go back and tie the old and new colors together in a square knot on inside of fabric.

Latte

Starting with Café color, Ch 2.
Rd 0 Work 4 sc in second ch. Place yarn marker, and continue marking beg of rd throughout.
Rd 1 Work 2 sc, inc, 1 sc.
Rd 2 Work 3 sc in each sc.
Rd 3 Work 2 sc (inc) in each sc.
Rd 4 Sc around.
Rd 5 Sc around, changing color on last st to Buff.
Rd 6 *Sc 3, inc, repeat from * around.
Rd 7 Sc 2, *inc, sc 3, repeat from * around.
Rd 8 *Sc 8, inc, repeat from * around.
Rd 9 *Sc 9, inc, repeat from * around.
Rd 10 *Sc 11, inc, repeat from * around.
Rd 11, 12 *Sc 13, inc, repeat from * around.
Rd 13 *Sc 15, inc, repeat from * around.
Rd 14 *Sc 17, inc, repeat from * around.
Rd 15 *Sc 20, inc, repeat from * around.
Rd 16-18 Sc around.
Rd 19 Sl st around.
Rd 20 Turning rd. Working in back loop, dec around.
Rd 21 Sc around, dec every 6th st.
Rd 22 Sc around, dec every 5th st. Stuff lightly with polyfil. Add a few river rocks to base for weight.
Rd 23 Sc around, dec every 4th st, making dec 1 st closer together each rd until only 3-5 sts left. Cross the diameter of the opening with hook, sl st opening together. FO. Use remaining tail of yarn to weave in and out of any spaces between stitches in the base.

Espresso

The yarn is a little thicker, so a slight modification in the pattern is made.
Ch 2.
Rd 0 Starting with Espresso, work 4 sc in second ch. Place yarn marker, and continue marking beg of rd throughout.
Rd 1 Sc around.
Rd 2 Work 3 sc in each sc—12 sts.
Rd 3 Work 2 sc (inc) in each sc—24 sts.
Rd 4 Sc around, changing color on last st to Taupe.
Rd 5-7 Sc around, inc every 4th st—30 sts.
Rd 8 Sc around, inc every 9th st.
Rd 9 Sc around, inc every 10th st.
Rd 10 Sc 6, inc, then inc every 12th st.
Rd 11 Sc around, inc every 14th st.
Rd 12 Sc around, inc every 16th st.
Rd 13 Sc around, inc every 18th st.
Rd 14 Sc around, inc every 22th st.
Rd 15-18 Sc around.
Rd 19 Sc around, inc q 15th st.
Rd 20 Sl st around.
Rd 21 Turning rd. Working in back loop, dec around.
Rd 22 Sc around, dec every 6th st.
Rd 23 Sc around, dec every 5th st. Stuff lightly with polyfil. Add a few river rocks to base for weight.
Rd 24 Sc around, dec every 4th st, making dec 1 st closer together each rd until only 3-5 sts left. Cross the diameter of the opening with hook, sl st opening together. FO. Use remaining tail of yarn to weave in and out of any spaces between stitches in the base.

Medical Question of the Month

Question: I must be really sick, right? Last year Vick's Nyquil worked fine, but this cold season, no.

Answer: Well, you could be seriously ill, but check the ingredients on your favorite cold remedy. Consider that most over the counter medications removed Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) from their formulas without announcing it. This is because some people learned how to make methamphetamine from it. Sudafed is the best decongestant on the market. If you don't want to take it four times a day, you might consider an alternative, Claritin-D, 24-Hour. Not plain Claritin, that's just an antihistamine for allergies. Claritin-D comes in a 12 or 24 hour formula. That means being able to take just one pill a day and not having to worry about it not working during the night; just read all of the directions and cautions on the label first. Tylenol is also making a medication with Sudafed in it; ask for either one at the pharmacy, since they have to keep it behind the counter.

I have not seen convincing evidence that the substitute for Sudafed, phenylephrine, is particularly effective. Please let me know if you've seen anything authoritative.

Caution: If you're experiencing a significant fever, 100.4 or greater, or are getting worse, see your doctor.