Melt The Ice

There is nothing quite so nausiatingly surreal as watching my country descend into fascism while going through the motions of my every day life, relatively unchanged. One moment I’m watching a video of an ICE murder, and the next I’m going sledding with my kids, doing dishes, going to work so I can pay my bills. How does one witness murder then smile and count to ten with a “ready or not, here I come!” I don’t know, it isn’t possible, it shouldn’t be possible, but I’m doing it.

I have nothing to say that hasn’t already been said. I’m knitting these “melt the ice” hats in a small show of solidarity and resistance. It’s not enough.

On the right was my first attempt, using cheap-ish acrylic-wool blend worsted weight yarn, following the pattern exactly as written. It turned out fine, but a little smaller than I’d like. My second attempt (the darker color hat on the right) is with very nice 100% baby alpaca worsted weight yarn. I sized up my needle, added 4 extra stitches at cast on, and added 2 inches of stockinette stitch after the 1×1 ruining but before starting the decreases on the crown. I’m very very happy with how this one turned out. In future attempts I might try to add some embellishments (like twists on the ridge of the crown), but I think I’m happy with my modification of the pattern for hat#2.

I don’t usually take commissions, but I’m willing to make more of these hats upon request. If you want a hat please reach out. You will need to supply your own yarn (or venmo me for the cost of a yarn of your choice).

If you personally hold a position of privilege in this political moment, I additionally request that you make a donation to an anti-ice or mutual aid organization of your choice in leui of paying me for my time. (It takes me about 6 hours per hat. Your donation should reflect how much you think my time is worth hourly).

• Featured Project: Melt The ICE Hat
• Pattern: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/melt-the-ice-hat
• Materials:
  • hat#1: 200 yd (1 skein) Plymouth encore, 75% acrylic 25% wool. Cost=$7:50
  • Hat#2: 200 yd (1 skein) Plymouth brand 100% baby alpaca. Cost= $25ish
• Time to make: about 6 hours
• Cost at a fair labor price $150ish + materials
• Completed January 2026

#knitting #showcase #politics #politicalispersonal #acab #fuckice