Minnesota Knitters Revive WWII Protest for Modern Cause

Knitters across the country are picking up their needles for a cause that connects historical resistance to modern solidarity.

Minneapolis yarn shop Needle & Skein launched a project that transforms a simple craft into powerful protest. The shop created patterns for red pointed hats inspired by Norwegian resistance fighters who wore similar caps during Nazi occupation in the 1940s.

The timing is deliberate. Minnesota communities are grappling with grief and uncertainty following federal immigration enforcement actions that resulted in civilian deaths. Rather than feeling helpless, crafters found a way to channel their emotions into action.

Needle & Skein sells the patterns for $5, with all proceeds supporting local immigration aid organizations. The initial recipient is STEP Emergency Assistance, which helps vulnerable community members pay for rent and legal aid in St. Louis Park, a Minneapolis suburb.

The response surprised everyone. "We raised way more than anticipated," shared the shop owner's daughter on Reddit. Knitters from Oregon to New York are posting their works in progress online, and yarn shops nationwide are joining the effort.

The movement extends beyond individual crafters. Minnesota yarn shops including The Yarnery, Dandelion Fiber Company, Knit & Bolt, and Harriet & Alice recently participated in a statewide strike protesting immigration enforcement presence. Now they're encouraging customers to buy red yarn specifically to support the hat project.

Oregon's Fancywork Yarn Shop joined in too. "While we'd rather see this design relegated to the history books, it is sadly relevant again today," the shop posted. "We're casting on ours alongside all of you, and standing beside everyone in Minnesota."

The Ripple Effect

What started as one shop's creative response became a nationwide movement connecting crafters through shared purpose. Virtual and in-person knitting groups now gather regularly, giving participants space to work on hats together while processing difficult emotions as a community.

Non-knitters can support the effort too through direct donations to the participating organizations. The project demonstrates how traditional crafts can create modern change, turning individual skills into collective action.

Every red hat represents both historical memory and present-day solidarity, proving that resistance takes many forms and everyone has something valuable to contribute.