Knitting as a form of protest and solidarity

Last week, a post showed up in one of the knitting groups I participate in on Facebook describing where to find a pattern for a "Melt the ICE" hat pattern.  Like many people, the pattern maker has been moved by the violence unfolding in Minneapolis and wanted to offer a paid pattern for a protest hat geared to raising funds for charities that serve immigrant groups there.

This is not the first time patterns have been offered up in recent times as a form of protest and solidarity.  Several years ago "pussy hats" emerged in solidarity with protests against Donald Trump's abysmal treatment of women.  These were simple hats, knitted in pink yarn, in all different yarn weights, all identified by color and shape.

Similarly, during WWII in occupied Norway, citizens wore red pointy hats in protest against this occupation and in solidarity with Norwegian identity and folklore.  The red hat was adopted as it was associated with the Nisser or house spirits of Norwegian folklore that could be courted to bring good luck and good fortune to a home, or aggravated and risk misfortune and mayhem.  Red hats became so visible in Norwegian society that the Nazis outlawed them.

The "Melt the ICE" hat was a simple pointed hat shape.  I had several skeins of fingering weight yarn in my stash so I happily bought a copy and promptly knit one.

As knitters often are, this exercise inspired me to come up with my own pointy hat pattern.  I decided to broaden mine by naming it the Protest Hat.  If you are against racism, white supremacy, fascism, unbridled capitalism, climate degradation and exploitation, militarism, colonialism; if you support social justice, climate justice, equality, fair taxation and distribution of wealth, etc. - and wish to stand in solidarity with ordinary people EVERYWHERE, then this is the hat for you!

Still maintaining the pointed shape and color associated with the Norwegian Nisser, I wanted to offer a free pattern to encourage people to donate to their local organizations that help vulnerable people in need as these are often the first casualties in the rise of right-wing extremism.

As worsted weight appeals to newer knitters as well as those short on time, the first version of this pattern uses this weight.  Feel free to use this pattern and to share it, but please ensure you ask people who use it to make a donation of money, time or in kind to a local charity that serves vulnerable people in their community.

The Protest Hat

Materials: 1 ball of Patons Classic Worsted Yarn, 4.5 mm needles (I started on a short circular and ended with double pointed needles), tapestry needle, scissors.  You will use between 120 and 125 yards at the given gauge and size.

Gauge:  16 sts and 28 rows equals 4 inches or 10 cm on 4.5 mm needles, in stocking stitch.

The instructions below will yield a women's L-XL hat or a men's L hat.  To make a larger hat, I'd size up to 5 mm needles and adjust the plain knitting in the body as needed.  To make a smaller hat, I'd go down to  size 4mm needles and adjust the plain knitting accordingly.

Instructions:

Cast on 96 stitches.  Join in the round being careful not to twist the stitches.

Rounds 1 - 4: (k2, p2) , repeat to end of round (EOR).

Then begin the decorative ribbing.  (If you wish to omit this, continue ribbing until 3 inches in length has been worked - about 24 rounds from cast on.)

Round 1: (k2, p2), rep. to EOR.

Round 2: (k1, yo, k1, p2), rep. to EOR

Round 3: (k3, p2), rep. to EOR.

Round 4: (sl1, k2, psso the two knitted stitch, p2) rep. to EOR.

Complete these rounds a total of 5 time.  On the last round, place a removable stitch marker every 16 stitches (six including the BOR marker).

Next round: (ktbl, k to 1 st before the marker {M}, ktbl, slip marker {SM} ), rep. to EOR.  

This round will be repeated and is considered the "plain knitting" section of the hat.  You may wish to adjust how many rows you complete like this to personalize your fit.  The ktbl creates a twisted knit stitch.  By twisting one stitch on either side of the stitch marker, you are creating "ribs" for the six panels of the crown of your hat.

Continue working for 15 rounds.

Decrease Round 1:

Round 1 (ktbl, ssk, k to 3 sts before M, k2tog, ktbl, SM), rep. to EOR. (12 sts decreased)

Rounds 2-5: (ktbl, k to 1 sts before M, ktbl, SM), rep. to EOR. 

Repeat the last 5 rounds two more times (total of 36 sts decreased - 60 sts remaining)

Decrease Round 2: 

Round 1:  (ktbl, ssk, k to 3 sts before M, k2tog, ktbl, SM), rep. to EOR

Round 2-4: (ktbl, k to 1 sts before M, ktbl, SM), rep. to EOR.

Repeat the last 4 rounds two more times. (36 sts decreased - 24 sts remaining)

Decrease round 3:

Next round:  (ktbl, k2tog,ktbl, SM), rep. to EOR. (6 sts decreased - 18 sts remaining)

Round 2-4: (ktbl. k1, ktbl, SM), rep. to EOR.

Next round: (k2tog), rep. to EOR.

Break yarn and draw through remaining 9 stitches, secure end.  Weave in end from cast on.

Abbreviations

BOR - beginning of round

EOR - end of round

k - knit                                      

k2tog - knit 2 stitches together

ktbl - knit next stitch through the back of loop               

M - marker

p - purl

rep - repeat           

SM - slip marker

ssk - slip next two stitches as if to knit, k into the back of both sts                    

st - stitch 

sts - stitches