The “Melt The ICE” hat is a current craftivism project originating from the knitting community in Minnesota. Below is the breakdown of the pattern, the history behind the symbol, and where you can find it.
The Pattern: “Melt The ICE” Hat
Name: Melt the ICE Hat
Designer: YarnCultMN (Paul Neary) / Needle & Skein
Price: $5.00 USD (All proceeds are donated to immigrant aid organizations in the Twin Cities).
Format: Digital Download (PDF)
Craft: Knitting (There is also a crochet version adapted by Sarah Sward).
Description: It is a simple, red, pointed beanie (toque) topped with a tassel. It is designed to be knitted in red yarn (fingering, DK, or worsted weight).
The History: The Tassel Protest
The design is not random; it is a historical reference to anti-fascist resistance during World War II.
The “Nisselue”: In traditional Norwegian folklore, the nisselue is a red stocking cap worn by the nisse (gnome/elf). It is a national symbol similar to how Santa Claus hats are viewed in the US.
WWII Resistance: When Nazi Germany occupied Norway in 1940, they banned the use of traditional Norwegian symbols (like the flag) and uniforms. In response, Norwegians began wearing the red nisselue hats as a subtle code of solidarity and quiet protest against the occupation.
The Ban: The symbol became so prevalent and effective as a sign of resistance that the Nazi occupation government eventually made the wearing of red caps illegal.
The Modern Context:
The “Melt The ICE” project revives this symbol to protest the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), specifically following recent enforcement activities in Minnesota. By wearing the red hat, crafters are drawing a parallel between the historical resistance to occupation and current opposition to deportation and family separation policies.
Where to Buy It
The pattern is primarily sold through Ravelry, a popular database for fiber arts.
Ravelry (Primary Source):
Knitting Version: Melt the ICE Hat by YarnCultMN
Crochet Version: Melt the ICE (Crochet Version) by Sarah Sward
Needle & Skein (Direct):
If you do not use Ravelry, the pattern was released by the Needle & Skein yarn shop in St. Louis Park, MN. You may be able to purchase it directly through their Payhip store or website.
Yarn Kits:
Several independent yarn shops (such as Rabbit Row Yarns and Fabulous Yarn) are selling “kits” that include the $5 pattern fee along with the necessary red yarn, often donating the proceeds to the same causes.
Citations & Further Reading:
Good Good Good: “Knitters protest ICE presence in Minnesota with red hats” (Jan 26, 2026).
YarnCultMN / Needle & Skein Ravelry Page: Historical context provided in pattern description.
Museum of Norwegian Resistance: Documentation of the “Nisselue” ban during WWII.
