As United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement continues its siege of Minnesota — and especially in the wake of the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti — individuals near and far are looking for ways to make a difference.
A call to action from Minnesota yarn shop Needle & Skein encouraged knitters and crocheters across the country to take part in a project inspired by resistance to Nazi Germany in the 1940s.
“In the 1940s, Norwegians made and wore red pointed hats with a tassel as a form of protest against Nazi occupation of their country. Within two years, the Nazis made these protest hats illegal and punishable by law to wear, make, or distribute,” a social media post from the yarn shop explained.
“As purveyors of traditional craft, we felt it appropriate to revisit this design. Our city and many others are currently being swept door to door by a federally funded and supported organization. Sound familiar?”
An example of a “Melt the ICE” hat. Photo courtesy of Needle & Skein
They’re calling them “Melt the ICE” hats, and the shop is selling digital patterns for both knitters and crocheters to make their own. Each pattern is $5, and all funds raised will be donated to Minnesota-based immigration aid organizations, which will distribute the money to those impacted by the actions of ICE, according to the shop.
Needle & Skein first posted about the hats on January 15. Since then, they have raised over $250,000 through the sale of the patterns.
“Funds will be donated to STEP St. Louis Park emergency assistance for rent and other aid and the Immigrant Rapid Response Fund,” they shared in a recent update.
STEP Emergency Assistance provides legal aid and rent assistance to those in St. Louis Park, a suburb outside of Minneapolis. The Immigrant Rapid Response Fund is described as “a coalition of 32 philanthropic leaders rooted in communities most impacted by immigration-related harm.”
Those who don’t knit or crochet can also make a donation online to support the efforts.
“We don’t have the words to adequately thank you,” Needle & Skein shared in a message to supporters. “What you have done for our community is incredible. Keep donating! We want to help as many people as we can!”
In response, countless crafters have posted their projects online and have directed followers to buy red yarn from Minnesota-based shops or other independent businesses that are using the surge of shoppers to donate a percentage of sales to Minnesota organizations, too.
A person wears their “Melt the ICE” hat in the snowy weather. Photo courtesy of Gather/Instagram
Others, including Needle & Skein, are hosting virtual and in-person knit-ins and stitch-alongs for people to make their hats together.
“If you’re a stitcher on the Internet, then you likely know about the Melt the Ice Hat,” one yarn shop, Gather, in Massachusetts, shared on Instagram. “We’ll be gathering in community … to stitch red hats together, because getting through this national hellscape feels a little more gentle when surrounded by empathetic, caring humans.”
The shop even has an individual listing for red yarn on its website, with a link to the charitable hat pattern.
And for those with disdain for this act of “craftivism,” calling it “performative,” or insinuating that it doesn’t actually help people on the ground, the knitting community has something to say about that, too.
Crafty content creator Louise (known as @lou.dangit on social media) gave followers a list of ways that crafting can make a real difference.
These included fundraisers like “Melt the ICE,” as well as crochet drives that provide warm winter wear for people in need, “stitch and learn” events where people bring their projects and get educated on social issues, creating objects infused with political messages, and even demonstrations (like those seen in Portland, Oregon) where crafters teach skills while carrying out civil disobedience.
“We have to recognize our own power and strength in the fiber arts community. “We are a strong and powerful network. Let us treat it as such,” Louise said.
“Let’s share information, let’s share organizing, let’s share those protest patterns, let’s share those fundraisers, let’s share those podcasts, lectures, and audiobooks that taught us how to fight fascism in our own communities. Crafting has historically been a form of resistance and will continue to be because we will make sure it continues to be.”
They also provided a “beginner’s guide” to getting involved in activism after knitting the Melt the ICE hat.
“The Melt the ICE hat pattern has raised tons of money to fund the work and is a symbol of resistance,” Louise wrote in an Instagram post. “But maybe you’re ready for more! Glad to have you!”
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Header image courtesy of Gather/Instagram
