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 fol...
