Crafters Mobilise in Creative Protest Against ICE Through Knitting and Nail Art
In a powerful display of grassroots activism, hobbyists and crafters across the United States are turning their skills into tools of resistance against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). What began as a small "protest stitch-along" in a Minnesota yarn shop has exploded into a nationwide movement, blending traditional crafts with urgent political messages.
From Yarn Shop to National Movement: The 'Melt the ICE' Hat
Gilah Mashaal, owner of Needle & Skein in the suburbs of Minneapolis, initially enforced a "no politics" rule in her store. However, the prolonged presence of federal immigration paramilitaries in the Twin Cities prompted a dramatic shift. Collaborating with an employee named Paul, Mashaal helped design a red knit cap inspired by Norwegian resistance symbols from World War II.
The "Melt the ICE hat" pattern, featuring a ribbed brim and a jaunty tassel, was published on Ravelry for $5, with proceeds directed to the St Louis Park Emergency Program (Step). This initiative supports individuals impacted by ICE raids with rent and bill payments. The response was overwhelming: over 100 participants attended the initial knit-along, and within two weeks, nearly 70,000 patterns were sold, generating more than $250,000. Mashaal plans to distribute these funds to additional immigrant aid groups, emphasising that "red is the colour of resistance" and reclaiming it from political associations.
Anti-ICE Sentiment Spreads Across Online Hobbyist Communities
The fervour has extended far beyond knitting circles. On platforms like Reddit, normally apolitical forums are buzzing with anti-ICE expressions. In one notable example, a nail art post on r/RedditLaqueristas spells out "Fuck ICE" in ornate silver calligraphy, using polish named "Melt ICE" from the indie brand Pahlish, which raises funds for affected families.
"I've done more subtle political messages in the past, but it just feels like we're past the point of subtle," remarked a 37-year-old fintech worker from Florida, who requested anonymity. She highlighted the exhaustion with playing it safe in a deeply conservative state.
Even unlikely online spaces are joining the cause. The r/americangirl subreddit, typically focused on doll photography, featured a popular post of a doll holding a sign reading, "Kirsten Larson says FUCK ICE!" Additionally, explicit content with anti-ICE captions has surged on adult-oriented subreddits, demonstrating the widespread nature of this sentiment.
Historical Roots of Craft as Resistance
This movement is deeply rooted in history. Craft-based resistance dates back to the homespun movements in the US and India, which defied British imperial rule by producing independent textiles. During the French Revolution, tricoteuses knitted at trials and executions, while African American quilting traditions preserved culture through periods of oppression.
Today, fiber artists often refer to "rage knitting" or "rage quilting" as a means to cope with anger and helplessness. Examples include patterns for the blue bunny-eared hat worn by Liam Ramos, a detained asylum-seeking child, and quilts honouring victims of ICE violence. Sarah Gonsalves, an embroidery artist, created a stark piece depicting the final exchange between Renee Good and an ICE agent, noting it evoked strong emotional responses. Similarly, quilter Melissa Laranjeira crafted a haunting quilt with the message "WE KNOW WHAT WE SAW," challenging attempts to distort reality.
Symbolism and Endurance of Red Hats
The choice of red hats carries profound historical weight. Mats Tangestuen, a historian at Norway's Resistance Museum, explains that Norwegians wore red knit caps during Nazi occupation as a morale-boosting act of defiance, later banned by authorities in 1942. In Minnesota, home to many Norwegian descendants, this symbolism resonates strongly. Tangestuen notes that such items are displayed alongside weapons in museums, underscoring their importance in resistance efforts.
As crafters continue to knit, quilt, and create, their work serves as a testament to the enduring power of creative expression in times of crisis, uniting communities in a shared stand against injustice.
