A red hat, inspired by a symbol of resistance to Nazi occupation, gains traction in Minnesota

[highplainsdem]

https://www.npr.org/2026/01/31/nx-s1-5693767/red-hat-protest-minnesota

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Neary created the pattern that has now become the well-known "Melt the ICE" hat, a red beanie-shaped cap topped with a braided tassel.

Since making the pattern available for $5, the shop has raised nearly $400,000, Mashaal said Friday. So far, she said, they have donated a total of $250,000 to two local nonprofits focused on housing support for immigrants in the community — STEP (St. Louis Park Emergency Program) and the Immigrant Rapid Response Fund.

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Tangestuen said the hat emerged sometime around the last large demonstration protesting Nazi occupation in September 1941. For Norwegians, the hat was meant to be "distinctively non-violent" and "not a threatening symbol."

"It was used in the period of the war where everything looked very dark," Tangestuen said. "The main purpose of it was just to keep up morale, keep up hope and not descend into hopelessness and apathy."

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Much more at the link.

EDITING to add the links to get the patterns for the knit hat

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/melt-the-ice-hat

and crocheted hat:

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/melt-the-ice-crochet-version