There’s a role for everyone in the fight against tyranny. Yes, even the knitters and crocheters.
Craftivism, or the act of using handicrafts, art, and textiles as a form of activism, is just one way Minnesotans are resisting the presence of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement across their state.
Especially in the wake of two fatal shootings, in which federal agents killed citizen civilians Renee Good and Alex Pretti, people are looking for ways to use their skills to support their neighbors.
A new call to action from Minnesota yarn shop Needle & Skein encourages knitters and crocheters near and far 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?”
Needle & Skein shared a $5 knitting or crochet pattern of what they are calling the “Melt the ICE” hat, encouraging crafters from anywhere in the world to make their own version and wear in support of Minnesota.
All proceeds from the sale of the patterns will go to local immigration aid organizations, which will distribute the funds to those impacted by the actions of ICE, according to the shop.
In a post on r/knitting on Reddit, the daughter of the Needle & Skein owner shared that right now, proceeds will be donated to STEP Emergency Assistance to help vulnerable community members pay for rent and legal aid in St. Louis Park, a suburb outside of Minneapolis.
“We also plan to work with other businesses to identify where people most need funds,” she added. “We raised way more than anticipated.”
Those who don’t knit or crochet can also make a donation online to support the efforts.
The knitting community has rallied.
Online, crafters are posting their works-in-progress and finished products and directing followers to buy their red yarn from Minnesota-based shops, like The Yarnery, Dandelion Fiber Company, Knit & Bolt, and Harriet & Alice. All of these shops also participated in a recent statewide strike to protest ICE presence in Minnesota.
Other shops across the country are also promoting the purchase of red yarn and donating their own percentage of sales to Minnesota organizations.
“We’ve been uplifted to see the recent run on red yarn in the shop these past days! What’s everyone making, you ask? The Melt the ICE hat by the Needle & Skein Yarn Shop in the Twin Cities, MN,” a post from Oregon-based Fancywork Yarn Shop reads.
“While we’d rather see this design relegated to the history books, it is sadly relevant again today. We’re casting on ours alongside all of you, and standing beside everyone in Minnesota,” the shop continued.
In addition to encouraging shoppers to make their own hats, Needle & Skein has hosted virtual and in-person knit-ins and stitch-alongs for people to join in community, work on their projects together, and process the grief of the moment with one another.
“Your support is so beyond appreciated,” the Reddit post concluded. “Minnesota is hurting, but we know that we are not alone.”
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Header image courtesy of Krista via Pexels
