Melt the ICE Hat

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The Melt the ICE Hat is a red knit hat with a braided tassel designed by Paul Neary as a fashion activism and craftivism response to the January 2026 ICE operation in Minnesota inspired by the Norwegian resistance hat popular during Norway's Nazi occupation. [1]

Contents

Background

Minnesotans seeking a way to protest ICE activity in their state through knitting and crocheting and disinterested in returning to the pussyhats popularized as a symbol of resistance against Donald Trump in 2016, began knitting red hats as a symbol of resistance against escalating violence, unconstitutional detainment of American citizens, and the deaths of Renée Good and Alex Pretti. [2]

The design for the hat was shared widely on social media. [3] Interest in the hat resulted in a shortage of red yarn throughout Minnesota. [4]

Historical background

Examples of Norwegian resistance hats displayed in Norway's Resistance Museum. Norway's WW2 Resistance Museum, Oslo (Hjemmefrontmuseet). The Austerity of Occupation - red woolen caps outlawed 1942-02-26 as symbols of national unity ("rode toppluer", from exhibition). Photo 2017-11-30.jpg
Examples of Norwegian resistance hats displayed in Norway's Resistance Museum.

During the Nazi occupation of Norway, knitting and wearing red toppluer or nisselue style hats became a symbol of Norwegian resistance. [4]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Berger, Ava (January 31, 2026). "A red hat, inspired by a symbol of resistance to Nazi occupation, gains traction in Minnesota". NPR.
  2. ↑ Wong, Julia (29 January 2026). "'Rage knitting' against the machine: the hobbyists putting anti-ICE messages into crafts". The Guardian.
  3. ↑ Baker, Kamrin (Jan 26, 2026). "Knitters protest ICE presence in Minnesota with red hats, inspired by another historic act of resistance". Good Good Good.
  4. 1 2 McKinley, Jesse (30 January 2026). "In Minneapolis, Knitters Are Protesting With Red Hats". The New York Times.
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