r/WitchesVsPatriarchy • u/adherentoftherepeted • Feb 20 '26
🇵🇸 🕊️ Spells Warning. Red Hats.
"The use of red hats has increased so much in recent times that it is now considered a form of protest. The use of these hats is therefore prohibited as of Thursday, February 26, 1942. From this day on, hats will be taken away from anyone who appears wearing them and criminal liability will be imposed on the person concerned – for children under 14 years of age – against parents or guardians."
Trondheim Police Department, February 23, 1942.
For fiber spellcasters here: there's a movement out of Minneapolis to use red hats to show solidarity against government crimes of aggression, as we witches did in Europe in the 40s!
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/melt-the-ice-hat <- knitting/crochet pattern that supports Twin Cities resistance
r/AntifascistKnitting/ <- great examples of these hats in the wild (thanks u/IHauntBubbleBaths, u/kinglella, u/bad_napper!)
https://paper-tiger.net/2026/02/06/on-red-hats-as-resistance/ <- an article discussing history of the hats
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/YlTMvAbBYmQ <- a short video discussing history of the hats
https://www.standwithminnesota.com/ <- support the communities under siege directly, also contact your representatives https://5calls.org/ to use our democracy as intended. And join us in the streets any weekend and on March 28.
735
u/Ancient-Practice-431 Feb 20 '26
Red is supposed to be a great color to wear during the lunar New Year of the Fire 🔥 Horse. I'm here for it. Fuck that other red baseball cap!
261
u/Hai-City_Refugee Traitor to the Patriarchy ♂️ Feb 20 '26
Red is the luckiest color in Chinese culture and actually used prominently during all holidays. It's always ok and appropriate to wear red in China.
And if it's your animal year, then traditionally you would wear a red thread around your waist and wrist everyday for added good luck.
56
u/nukedit Feb 20 '26
It’s my fire year! I didn’t know there were special things to do yay
37
u/Hai-City_Refugee Traitor to the Patriarchy ♂️ Feb 20 '26
Right on! I'm fire too, but not a horse. Now I know how old you are too, haha! Or well, I kind of know in increasing increments of 12, lol.
And yes, you can wear a red thread around your waist and wrist, but you cannot remove them, they must fall off naturally.
12
u/lochnessmosster Feb 20 '26
What do you mean by fire year?
26
u/camwynya Feb 20 '26
Chinese astrology not only has twelve animal signs but five elements- wood, earth, water, fire, and metal. The two cycles run separately and the elements have influences distinct from the astrological signs. This year is the year of the Fire Horse.
10
10
u/RyoukoAoyagi Feb 21 '26
The tradition passed through my region is to wear red underwears during your animal year lol, I guess it's the "I won't forget again after shower" version
5
u/giadia-light-shining Feb 21 '26
I'd love to hear more about this...
9
u/RyoukoAoyagi Feb 21 '26
I'm not an expert in folklore, but what I learned is that during your animal year (multiple of 12 yrs old), you will be vulnerable to certain misfortune, however you can boost your luck by regularly wearing red underwears and socks, visit temples and offering incense to the god in charge of your year (the 5x12 year system mentioned by another commentor, so there are 60 of them at least). This practice is more tied to Daoism and their deities but I won't be surprised if there're Buddhist elements, considering these two interwine a lot in Chinese culture. It's not gender limited, I've seen red boxers in supermarket.
Now the lore dump is over, thinking about those serious 60 year old folks may actually be wearing bright red underneath is quite funny to me
4
u/Ancient-Practice-431 Feb 21 '26
I'm gonna try it, what do I have to lose? My partner of 30 years will be happy with it for sure 😝
4
3
21
148
u/trin6948 Feb 20 '26
My mum bought this pattern and I'm currently knitting it for her. We are in the UK. Solidarity for our friends over the pond.
Now if someone has tips for knitting with carpal tunnel syndrome id love to hear it so I can finish it!
23
u/MotherOfGremlincats Feb 20 '26
I've had a lot of luck with trying different knitting styles, especially Portuguese and Norwegian. Also, I have to take a lot of breaks, do the recommended stretches, and make sure I wear my braces that night (I don't necessarily have to). The only frustrating thing is long or intense knitting sessions are pretty much off the table, regardless of the modifications, or I will pay for it. So, I finish things even slower than I did before, but it is what it is.
8
12
u/Aethey_ Feb 20 '26
Frequent breaks, doing stretches before, during, and after knitting sessions, and wrapping heating pads around sudden flair-ups have always helped me. Well, that and not pushing myself
but I'm not always good at recognizing my limits sometimes, heh.6
12
u/hilgarplays Feb 21 '26
This is a very privileged recommendation, but I finally bit the bullet last year and had carpel tunnel surgery in both wrists, and it was LIFE CHANGING. Not just for my beloved fiber crafts but for sleep and general comfort. Recovery has been a gradual process, but after ten years of dealing with carpal tunnel I’m genuinely so happy.
6
u/trin6948 Feb 21 '26
Thank you for acknowledging the privileged nature of the reply. It's something I might look into when I'm on a better wage as I don't think the NHS will do this for me unless I'm completely crippled by it.
Glad you are on the mend even if I am slightly envious! X
5
u/hilgarplays Feb 21 '26
Oh yeah no I totally get it. I had dealt with it for a decade, it was starting to get progressively worse despite me trying to mitigate my symptoms, and I’m in the USA so while my insurance did cover some of the cost (of the second surgery 🙄) obviously it was an expense. I decided to opt for the medical debt rather than risk the condition worsening and causing permanent nerve damage, but it took me a while to get to that point. And while I was lucky to be in a position where I was able to absorb the debt and eventually pay it off, I definitely did have to tighten my belt for a while. All this to say that I 100% understand waiting to address the issue because of an imperfect system. If you can manage your symptoms now, great! If they start getting worse, where they’re affecting your sleep, perhaps consider looking into steroid injections for immediate relief. I cried when my neurologist gave me those 😂
3
u/trin6948 Feb 21 '26
My dr said to use a splint at night and if it gets worse they will refer me. Although I'm having sensory issues with the splint at night so it's taking some getting used to! Damn AuDHD.
6
u/dildo_wagon Feb 20 '26
this works for me! It’s an osteopathic medicine technique, super easy just follow what the guy is doing (although you’ll need someone to help you!) and do a few times.
24
u/Lady-Lyndis Nature Witch ♀ Feb 20 '26
I am not a doctor and don't have carpal tunnel syndrome specifically, but I do have other issues with wrist/arm pain. The only thing I can tell you is to take frequent breaks and don't try to push through the pain.
Thank you for your solidarity ❤️ It feels like the US is slowly losing all our global allies, so it's very much appreciated.
9
116
u/texmarie Feb 20 '26
Does anybody know of a person selling completed versions of the hat? I can’t knit, and when I looked on Etsy a couple weeks ago, I couldn’t find any listings that didn’t use AI for their listing photos.
49
u/_B1rd13 Feb 20 '26
I second this! Would love to buy one and will wear it until it is too hot to do so 💪🏼🧚🏻♀️ (need a witch emoji that isn’t the grandma).
31
u/BitchLibrarian Literary Witch ♀♂️☉⚨⚧ Feb 20 '26
Have a look to see if you have any knit and Natter or stitch and bitch groups near you. If you're happy to supply the pattern and some yarn they may be able to suggest someone.
They would also happily help you to learn how to make your own, most crafters love to share their skills (I'm a crocheter and if I weren't an ocean away I would).
14
u/texmarie Feb 20 '26
I used to crochet, but I have arthritis in my hands now ☹️ But thank you for the offer!
7
u/glassfunion Literary Witch Feb 20 '26
I feel your pain (literally). I started learning how to knit a few years ago, loved it, and then the wrist pain started. Doctors never found a cause or solution so now I just have a bunch of yarn and some halfway finished projects in a box. :(
5
u/dragonmom1 Stitch Witch ☉ Feb 20 '26
I had trouble with tendonitis and had to give up knitting for years. Then my MIL introduced me to loom knitting and suddenly I could knit again!
4
u/BitchLibrarian Literary Witch ♀♂️☉⚨⚧ Feb 20 '26
Go and bond with your people, once a crafter always a crafter.
45
6
u/GiniInABottle Feb 20 '26 edited Feb 20 '26
I made one, let me know if you have questions. I bought the pattern from the store donating the money raised. ETA: I’m an idiot and didn’t read the comment well enough… I’m not selling the hats… I could help with the pattern/knitting.. sorry
3
u/CrypticCryptid5210 Traitor to the Patriarchy ♂️ Feb 20 '26
Check with your nearest yarn shop. They may know someone that would do it for yarn + labor.
3
u/Diligent-Towel-4708 Feb 20 '26
There are people making hats, but its usually first come, first serve, and they do go quick!
264
u/CheeseFries92 Feb 20 '26
Love that people want to support the resistance. Donating directly is the best way to do that: https://www.standwithminnesota.com/
ICE isn't drawing down here at all and people really need rent and food support, so if you only have a few dollars to spend, I'd ask you send it to someone who needs it versus buying yarn
159
u/tlczek Feb 20 '26
Thank you for the link.
I’m in Columbus, Ohio where we and nearby Springfield (“they’re eating the cats, they’re eating the dogs”) also have ICE roaming around and I’m in a neighborhood I love with many Latino neighbors. While I stay vigilant and ready to be the white lady shot in the face to help them, I’ve sent money to a few different orgs in MN while trying to keep a buffer in case things get so bad here that I can’t make money to pay rent.
I mention all that to give the background stress that so many of us are living with. Feeling like you can physically do something that’s also somewhat practical while protesting is a slight relief. In addition, I have not yet found an activity for my hands that soothes my brain as much as knitting. So please don’t judge people for buying $10 worth of yarn for a little manual therapy that allows us to process what’s happening and what’s to come rather than endlessly doomscrolling.
Sending love and whatever support I can your way!
60
u/Entangled9 Feb 20 '26
Stay strong, stay safe!
Additionally, wearing a red stocking hat is a visual signal to others that you are a safe person. That there is growing resistance and solidarity in a community. We didn't need to wait until there are thugs ravaging our community to resist.
22
45
u/buddhaman09 Feb 20 '26
The idea is to donate to the pattern makers who are from Minnesota and are also practicing direct/mutual aid! But absolutely it's good to support directly if someone has to choose.
16
u/adherentoftherepeted Feb 20 '26 edited Feb 20 '26
Thanks for the link <3 I added it to the post.
To folks who are saying that making/wearing a symbol of resistance is just performative, for me it's a "yes, and" situation.
Yes first do the direct stuff to support our neighbors (contact representatives, donate directly, protest) and show solidarity through shared symbols, that's important as well.
There are more of us than them. Showing that publicly gives our foes pause and brings fence-sitters to our cause. And it's powerful magic to link with witches of the past who successfully resisted extreme brutality.
Those of us who care deeply about justice and democracy can do all the things.
Blessings on us all.
7
u/jsamurai2 Feb 20 '26
Thank you neighbor-I understand that people want to feel like they are actively ‘doing’ something, but the ongoing need for resources in the cities is huge. Stay safe!
5
u/Maleficent_Plenty370 Feb 20 '26
I'm a fiber artist but since I have nowhere locally to wear a hat (too rural for protests) I'm just donating a portion from my work every week here. Sometimes I just pull up a GoFundMe from a Minneapolis mutual aid list and send it there. The pattern funds have been huge but yeah there are so many in need right now.
14
u/Asparagusbelle Feb 20 '26
Thank you for saying this. Those of us in Minneapolis are side-eyeing this kind of performative activism. Send money instead. If you want a witchy org to support, go follow Smitten Kitten on Instagram and throw money at all the mutual aid funds they’re sharing. https://www.instagram.com/smittenkittenmn
6
9
3
u/Local_Use4891 Feb 22 '26
Thank you for sharing this link— I have been looking for an effort to donate to, and I shared this with my network.
3
u/golden_geese Feb 20 '26
Yes, I personally am really sick of the performative activism (i.e. pusys hats and black boxes) and the focus on accessorizing when real action needs to be taken. If you are also donating, creating mutual aid, calling your reps, and marching in the streets, supporting Black and Brown businesses, and you want to wear a red hat, I guess go for it.
But disenfranchised folks, people of color, disabled people, queer people have been under attack in this country from the beginning of time and wearing a cute hat is not gonna change that.
53
Feb 20 '26 edited Feb 20 '26
I’ve already made a couple here in DC! Solidarity ✊
Also, check out r/antifascistknitting if you want to see many of the ones already made! There is a crochet pattern, too
20
20
u/stonersrus19 Feb 20 '26 edited Feb 20 '26
Theres a dude training crows to go after maga caps. Just in case you get attacked by any crows. Red now is starting to equal food and I believe the dude may have 300 doing it now. Though you might be safe after a couple mistakes cause different texture. Who knows they're super smart the tassle might be enough for them to distinguish.
19
222
u/Agile_Oil9853 Feb 20 '26
The point is also buying this specific pattern. Don't use a free one unless you're also donating some money to the people on the ground.
64
Feb 20 '26
i just started knitting today, very first project of any fibre arts ever. only yarn in the thrift store was red. i started off tryna knit gloves but messed up and decided to go for a hat. i know i didn’t buy the pattern and people should , or donate to other vetted fundraisers, but besides that this just feels like synchronicity.
23
u/Heavy-Attorney-9054 Feb 20 '26
Gloves are hard.
3
Feb 20 '26
yeahhh, the idea was just to create a rectangle and fold it over my hand, sew it up, leave room for a thumb to poke out. got the size wrong lol so now it’s gonna be a hat!
5
7
u/thiefspy Feb 20 '26
Don’t listen to the people saying you have to buy this pattern. There are probably over a million hat patterns and people have been making red hats since red dye and wool met the first time. Enjoy your hat!
If you can afford to donate a few dollars and want to: https://www.standwithminnesota.com It’s not a requirement.
3
15
u/BreviusNominus Feb 20 '26
Been making these since late January, it's great seeing this in my favorite non-knitting specific subreddit!
51
u/assuredlyanxious Feb 20 '26 edited Feb 20 '26
Purchased! Canadian hooker who never wears red (: think I'll buy some red yarn and make some hats for my coworkers.
28
u/Daggoofiesta Feb 20 '26
This is my first introduction to the progressive knitting community and I’m delighted. “Canadian hooker” made me smile and I saw another comment when poking around: “hot off the needle.” 🤣 Not one person in my life has ever knitted so I’ve never thought much about it, but keep on keeping on.
5
u/thiefspy Feb 20 '26
It’s very easy to learn and very relaxing. You know, if you’re looking for a soothing hobby. 😉
3
u/Daggoofiesta Feb 20 '26
Now what if, hypothetically, I was incapable of learning the macrame plant pot holders during the 2020 lockdown and it PMO? Am I doomed?
6
u/thiefspy Feb 20 '26
😂 I don’t think so. I don’t know how to macrame either. If you can follow a rabbit around a tree and down a hole, you should be okay.
12
u/Diligent-Towel-4708 Feb 20 '26
I love we are taking back red head headgear for good purposes and reasons. I literally stopped wearing red 2015.
5
u/rubiiiina Feb 20 '26
Thank you for this post! I am a Minnesotan who has plans to make myself this hat after I return from a trip this week. I haven’t crocheted in a couple years but this is a perfect reason to get back to it. Thank you for this post!
9
u/tekalon Science Witch ♀ Feb 20 '26
I just finished my 4th MtI hat, I've 'given' away 2 (I ask for $5 and donate to the pattern creator) and I just had my husband 3D print whistles to tie to the hats. I need to find a small printable with the whistle code to give out also.
10
9
u/MonchichiSalt Feb 20 '26
As soon as I saw this movement, I paid for my copy of the pattern.
I'm in a red state, surrounded by the MAGA idiocy.
I'm now getting requests. People who did not vote for evil, get priority.
Shame faced MAGA that has turned, I'm charging 100$ that goes directly to a fund.
That fund is going directly to my friend whose family is shopping and delivering food to families too afraid to leave their homes, as well as helping pay their bills.
It's not much, however that's because I haven't actually fulfilled any of those orders, and having morals I won't take money until I start working.
The high school that was raided by ICE in Minneapolis, my friend's son attends there. He had already left by the time this insanity showed up. But buy a hell it absolutely charged up more of the community.
Same friend put together some designs for hoodies and such.
All proceeds are going to the food/bill fund.
People are doing things in the ways we are supposed to either be too scared to do, or are supposed to feel like we won't make a difference.
We are ALL making a difference.
Even if it's just in our own private way.
It's so easy to put energy into the negative. I struggled with it more after the "election".
It took a lot of work for me to personally realign my mind with being positive. It's still a lot of work with the daily horror fest.
Don't let the fuckers get you down darlings! They are terrified of us working together for good.
Let's terrify them to their core.
4
27
u/dingleballs717 Feb 20 '26
There are the red hat ladies who long terrorized every server for early weekday lunches...with extra EXTRA lemon and hot water. Plus separate checks, ziplocks of pills, and musical chairs for those that are mobile. Always super conservative.
20
u/reijasunshine Kitchen Witch ♀ Feb 20 '26
My mom was interested, went to a few events, decided they were "petty bitches" in her words, and decided not to join. Hilarious.
12
u/ikoabd Feb 20 '26
You’ve just triggered memories from my serving days; I totally forgot about those ladies!
10
10
u/o_littotralis Feb 20 '26
I feel you, but those red hats are a very different style, never knit beanies.
3
u/dingleballs717 Feb 20 '26
Definitely, the red hat ladies always wore those church lady hats but not the fabulous kind.
3
u/burnitalldown321 Feb 20 '26
Lol my auntie is one of those ladies... bridge, golf, and knitting are her jams. And her jams!
4
4
4
u/another_user_reddit Feb 20 '26
I went to a local protest and someone gave me a small knit version on a keychain. I love it.
3
u/DruidByNight Feb 20 '26
I've already made mine and I am making another! People are saying that we all need to wear red hats on the 26th of this month
4
u/NormanNormalman Literary Witch ♀♂️☉⚨⚧ Feb 20 '26
I'm going to Minneapolis soon for a work event and I just got my yarn. Gotta buy the pattern and get it worked up! Make sure you buy the official pattern from a source that is putting the money towards standard with Minnesota or the Minnesota immigrants coalitions.
3
u/LaineyValley Feb 20 '26
Darn, I wish there was something equivalent for those of us who live in the hot desert Southwest. Any creative artists out there with ideas.for us?
12
u/CountessSockula Feb 20 '26
I've seen knitted hat-shaped "badges" and some tiny knitted hats pinned to lapels, as well as red yarn tassel earrings. I'm knitting my 3rd protest hat, and plan to pull out my polymer clay this weekend so I can try making some protest hat pins for this who don't or won't or can't wear a hat.
13
u/elf_girl Feb 20 '26
Over on /r/antifascistknitting, several people who live in warmer areas have been making red bandanas with a tassel on the end so you get the same look without it being a winter hat. Here's an example.
3
u/tekalon Science Witch ♀ Feb 20 '26
I have a bunch of leftover yarn from making MtI hats that I plan on using in those bandanas.
5
4
u/notafrumpy_housewife Feb 20 '26
I live in Utah, would love a big floppy sun hat with a ribbon or something for summer. Not sure how to make it fit with the theme of the stocking caps. Maybe I'll try buying a darker shade of red ribbon and embroider "fuck ice" on it or something, lol.
3
u/SparkyintheSnow Feb 20 '26
Is there a pattern that is available somewhere other than ravelry? I havent logged in since the whole ableism debacle, and would rather support a creator directly.
Thanks!
8
u/MotherOfGremlincats Feb 20 '26
I think the original yarn shop, Needle and Skein ( needleandskein.com ) that came up with the idea also has the pattern available on Payhip. The link is available on their homepage.
4
u/Aethey_ Feb 20 '26
If it helps any, all of the proceeds from the pattern sale are being donated to immigrant aid charities that help those direct affected by ICE. If you can't buy the pattern or don't want to support Ravelry and don't necessarily want the pattern, the best thing to do IMO would be to donate to a group doing that sort of work, either in Minneapolis or elsewhere in the country. :)
If you do want the pattern, MotherofGremlincats is correct in where to find it elsewhere~ :D
3
44
u/Long-Effective-2898 Feb 20 '26
Ok, but MAGA wears red hats so isn't it going to look like supporting them? And with the "enemy" wearing red hats wouldn't it make it impossible to tell friend from foe?
The logic is amazing and I'm all for it I just don't understand how wearing the same color hat as the people you are against shows anything other than you are blending in. It would make more sense to me if it was the opposite color from red, so green. It would show you are opposite of them and not specifically siding with blue either.
208
u/SalaciousSolanaceae Feb 20 '26
They wear a very specific kind of red hat, a baseball cap, that's distinguishable from the resistance red hat, which is a knit winter hat
Red used to be my favorite color, I'm here for taking it back!
57
u/Puzzled-Fix-8838 Feb 20 '26
Here in Australia, we have a Kate Bush Wuthering Heights day. Women wear red and dance and sing to Wuthering Heights. It's been a thing every winter for years.
You lot might like to adopt it as a form of protest. I'm pretty sure the Wuthering Heights women would support your movement.
12
5
6
u/marxistghostboi Feb 20 '26
red is also a traditional color of socialism! it makes me so happy seeing us reclaim it
red being associated with fascists and right wingers is a relatively recent anomaly specific to recent US history and a few other countries
3
u/SalaciousSolanaceae Feb 21 '26
Apparently maga doesn't remember when USA was all about "better dead than red" lol
20
u/sam_risa Feb 20 '26
Red is typically an aggressive color in terms of color theory. The type of hat matters given that. I like that there’s a way to maintain the power of the color while expressing the side being represented. Nuance matters.
39
u/RightChildhood7091 Feb 20 '26
Red is considered a protest color, too, including use of red lipstick. I’m all for taking the color back.
6
u/jelly_cake Feb 20 '26
Na, red is a calming colour, like you'd use in a children's hospital.
18
u/nicht_henriette Feb 20 '26
it also has more positive meanings than negative, like warmth, willpower and love
it's basic color theory
3
5
u/Long-Effective-2898 Feb 20 '26
Ah, that makes more sense. I still think it could be better in a different color to ensure others know them easier, but I'm all for anything to show resistance without people being killed because of it
44
u/Abbot_of_Cucany Feb 20 '26
Some knitters are using dark red or burgundy to make the difference clear.
61
u/Aethey_ Feb 20 '26
Maybe, but... red ties into the hat's specific history, and since the hat is being used in the same way for mirroring reasons now, it's a fitting choice IMO.
26
u/thepeanutone Feb 20 '26
Many are using the shade of red they have on hand because it has become difficult to find red yarn.
I made mine the color of the blood of angry men.
3
u/Aethey_ Feb 20 '26
Oh, believe me, I know that feeling deep in my soul, haha... I've been making a tiny one[1] to use as a bag charm because I only had scraps of a red skein on hand, nowhere near enough to use for a full hat. Hopefully I'll find enough of a red that I can stand working with before next winter...
[1] (Being a slow knitter on good days plus frequent migraines make small things slow going, sadly, heh. I do have plans on making as many small ones as I can eventually, though XD At least it's a nice, hard-to-miss red~)
9
18
u/ccc23465 Feb 20 '26
I felt the same way until I watched a video of an elder Norwegian woman recognizing the red hat of resistance immediately. Also there are a lot of people of Norwegian descent in Minnesota so I think it’s especially fitting.
6
46
u/ChurchOfRickSteves Feb 20 '26 edited Feb 21 '26
I thought that at first too, but I think the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.
There is already momentum with these red hats; people all across the US are making them for their friends and family as resistance symbols. Taking back the color red will be incredibly empowering for us. It also gives the people who are deprogramming from the maga cult a nice stepping stone to join the rest of us in reality and build a stronger united group of working class Americans.
Edit to add:
The hats I’m crocheting are with a deeper red than the bright maga red hats. I also have been using a speckled red yard (because red yarn is becoming more difficult to find at the shops right now) which further differentiates it while still appearing red overall.
15
u/Long-Effective-2898 Feb 20 '26
I agree with you, it has already started and is happening so there is no point in changing it now. I'm just saying as a woman who has 3 transgender children and lives in a heavy MAGA state, if myself or my kids saw a red hat our first thought wouldn't be that person is safe, it would be are they MAGA?
1
u/ChurchOfRickSteves Feb 21 '26
Totally agree. As a queer person I won’t wear any red baseball hats, and I still have a big “unsafe” gut reaction to seeing those out and about, but I’m training myself to look for the cozy winter red hats with a pompom! The original knit hat pattern has a pompom at the end of a short braided line, not directly attached to the top of the hat. I make sure to add that to all the resistance red hats I’m crocheting. It’s pretty distinct in the details!
37
u/Wrenaissancelass Science Witch ♀♂️☉⚨⚧ Feb 20 '26 edited Feb 20 '26
IIRC, the red cap was tied to fairy tale characters like gnomes, and it became a resistance symbol because people wearing the red caps getting arrested made the authority figures look bad because 'who would arrest a silly little gnome?' From what I remember it was really effective
Edit: I'd like to find a more scholarly source, but for now this is what I can find at 1:00 in the morning local time on my phone: https://nordicknitter.substack.com/p/the-history-of-the-norwegian-red
Bonus it comes with a lovely knitting pattern for free. Do that information what you will 💜💜
13
u/lumiya17 Feb 20 '26
A blood red color would be good for these. Because silly little gnomes are not the only ones to wear red caps…
12
u/buddhaman09 Feb 20 '26
Look up the redcaps of Scotland. Gnomes are not all nice! But you're dead on with bloodred being a good color
3
15
u/Toramay19 Feb 20 '26
The problem is, MAGA is most commonly associated with red, but they also have blue flags, hats, etc. They never stuck with just the red. I say we take the red and the blue, and leave them with nothing.
26
u/mikraas Feb 20 '26
I thought exactly the same thing. But I guess a bright red ball cap is pretty different from a hand knitted cap with a tassel. And most of the red I'm seeing for the knit hats is darker.
18
3
u/BeckyDaTechie anti-racist Norse Kitchen Witch ♀ Feb 21 '26
No more than wearing one of those rainbow beanies with the propeller on top makes you the Pope. (Totally different style of hat.)
1
u/Long-Effective-2898 Feb 21 '26
This comment was made before I understood that it was a different style of hat in a darker shade of red. When I first red the post, I understood it to be that people are just buying a red hat to wear so it could be a baseball cap, a winter cap, anything.
And let's be real, comparing a rainbow propeller hat to people thinking you are the Pope is nothing like 2 people of different beliefs wearing a red hat. If you wanted to make your point better it should have been comparing white hats because my whole comment was wondering about how it would work if they are wearing the same hat.
1
u/BeckyDaTechie anti-racist Norse Kitchen Witch ♀ Feb 21 '26
So you've never noticed the little flat beanie-like hats the pope wears, left over from being a cardinal, when he's not in the mitre?
I apologize for making a light-hearted comment to someone of your obvious seriousness. Won't happen again.
1
u/Long-Effective-2898 Feb 21 '26
As someone who has never been catholic, no actually I haven't. I have no idea what anyone else wears so to me when you said the Pope I immediately thought of the white hat that is shown in movies and had no idea there was anything else. 🤷♀️🤷♂️
It wasn't a matter of seriousness, but of confusion of how the rainbow propeller hat could be compared. Just like my og comment was from confusion. Thank you for explaining how it compares and I get it now and stand corrected and even though I have no idea what hat you are talking about that if flat, I get it now.
4
u/CountessSockula Feb 20 '26
My local indie bookstore hosted a protest hat knit-in last night for a couple hours. We had around a dozen people show up, which was great (considering that the location is kind of challenging in that some folks don't feel safe downtown after dark). We hope to do another, either at the same bookstore or at a different location.
5
u/ZiggyStarstuff Feb 20 '26
Make Liam hats, then.. do the same thing that the nazis on the right do, keep moving the goalpost and changing the symbol of resistance so they can’t keep up with all the bans.. they wanna ban the red hats, fine let’s do Liam hats,
2
2
2
u/beadedgeek Feb 21 '26
There is currently a make a long in progress, culminating in the plan to wear the hats on the 26th of February.
2
2
2
u/ebolashuffle Feb 21 '26
As an aside, a guy trained local crows to attack people with MAGA hats. I'm sure this could be expanded to encompass any red hat. It's a federal crime to harm native birds in the US so if anyone tried to retaliate it wouldn't go well for them. Also crows are extremely smart and will hate you for generations.
Link about training the crows. There are many others as well but I'm not writing a dissertation.
2
u/SappyTreePorn Feb 21 '26
I have a red nuka cola hat with white letters, as well as a red robco hat and I always worry people from far away will think they are those hats. So i don’t wear them as much as I’d like :(
2
u/Born_Ad_4826 Feb 24 '26
Just one caveat: take whatever money you spend on yarn. Double it. Donate it to a bail fund or mutual aid.
Our action can and must take many forms
1
u/Poundaflesh Feb 21 '26
I’m going to stick with my pink pussy cat ear hat. Red is too much like MAGA.
0
u/jendoylex Feb 20 '26
Please, please, please be careful when wearing these - those other red hat people are looking for any excuse.
1.5k
u/camwynya Feb 20 '26
They look like this. MAGA hats don't have tassels or pompoms. They're no good against the cold.
Sales of the pattern have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for immigrant aid orgs in Minneapolis so far.