Protesting with yarn, down through history
Nisseluer against Nazis
Nisseluer are traditional red, pointed knitted Norwegian hats with tassels. They are associated with nisse (Christmas gnomes).
As a part of Norwegian folklore, wearing them became a source of pride and silent protest against Nazi occupation during World War II. You can see a nisselue toque (hat) along with traditional Norwegian mittens in the Lofoten War Memorial Museum. The mittens are monogrammed with the monogram of Norwegian King Haakon VII, the year 1940 (the first year of Nazi occupation), and the exiled king's motto: "All for Norway, Everything for Norway". Nisseluer and all depictions of them, including on Christmas cards, was banned by the Nazis on February 26, 1942, because it was such an important national emblem.
You can view some of these Christmas cards at the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History, and read more about this history.
I tell you all about that wonderful resistance, to tell you this positive news:
A Minnesota yarn shop, Needle & Skein, is using nisseluer patterns to help support those affected directly by ICE, and to spread the resistance, inspired by Norwegians. (NPR story) Needle & Skein has raised over 400,000 to directly help individuals that have been hurt by ICE in Minnesota, and they can continue to do so with our help. I'm buying the knitting and crochet patterns, and I encourage you to buy one or more. Here's the direct links to the store to purchase each, for five dollars a piece:
Melt the ICE Tunisian Crochet Pattern
I'll post mine once I have completed it. Stay safe and warm.
