The history of the Norwegian red knitted hat and its use as quiet resistance

In case you feel this is relevant to you

The red knitted hat has a long history in Norway.

It is the traditional head adornment of the “nisse”, the gnome that lives in every respectable Norwegian barn, and is a great help if you treat him right, but if you fail to see to his needs, he engages in mischief.

During WW2, people took to wearing red knitted hats as a way of showing patriotism and quiet resistance. After this was forbidden by the occupants, people started wearing a humble little paperclip on their lapels instead. Less visible, but a powerful sign of “keeping together”.

I was reminded of the red hat as sign of resistance against occupants by The Red Hat Factory - look them up here.

Specifically, this Instagram post got my attention:

@redhatfactory

RED HAT FACTORY on Instagram: "It's rare that political events …

So go ahead and wear that red hat this winter. Wear it like you mean it.

There is a pattern for a MELT THE ICE red hat on Ravelry, that looks a lot warmer than the hat I designed (pettern below).

Here is a simple pattern for a Traditional Norwegian red hat that I designed for LEIK knitwear a few years back. It was designed for LEIK merino wool yarn but works equally well in other thin merino wool yarn.

The hat looks like this:

And here is the pattern:

Traditional Norwegian Red Hat

Materials

Yarn: Thin wool, for example Merino Wool (because it doesn’t itch), held single

Yarn weight: Lace or 4-ply weight 200m per 50g

Yardage: approx. 100 (100) 150 g

Needles:

3 mm (US 2.5) 40 cm / 16 in circular needle

3 mm (US 2.5) double-pointed needles (DPNs)

Note: For the smallest size, the entire hat may be worked on DPNs.

Notions:

Stitch markers (2)

Tapestry needle

Pom-pom maker (optional)

Sizes

S – small child (0–2 years)

M – child (3–10 years)

L – adult

Instructions are written for S (M) L.

Gauge

Gauge is not critical for this hat.
Adjust needle size if needed to achieve a firm but elastic fabric.

Abbreviations

k – knit

p – purl

st(s) – stitch(es)

k2tog – knit 2 stitches together

k2tog tbl – knit 2 stitches together through the back loop

rnd – round

pm – place marker

Instructions

Cast On & Ribbing

Using circular needle (or DPNs), cast on 120 (128) 136 sts.
Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist.

Work 2x2 ribbing (k2, p2) for 5 (7) 7 cm / 2 (2¾) 2¾ in.

Place markers as follows:

Marker 1 at the beginning of the round

Marker 2 after 60 (64) 68 sts

Work stockinette stitch (knit all sts) for 7 (7) 9 cm / 2¾ (2¾) 3½ in.

Crown Decreases

Decrease every 4th round as follows:

Decrease Round:

Knit 1, k2tog

Knit to 3 sts before side marker, k2tog tbl

Knit 2, k2tog

Knit to 3 sts before first marker, k2tog tbl, knit 1

All other rounds: knit all stitches.

When there are too few stitches for the circular needle, switch to DPNs and distribute stitches evenly across four needles.

Continue decreasing until 60 (64) 68 sts remain.

Final Decreases

Now also decrease every 4th round at the beginning and end of the needles between the markers, using the same decrease methods as for the side markers.

Continue decreasing until 8 sts remain.

Finishing

Cut yarn, thread through remaining stitches, pull tight, and secure firmly on the inside.

Traditionally, this kind of har just has a simple tassel (there are instructions online on how to make tassels, like this one), but you can make and attach any kind of pom-pom to the top of the hat. But a hat like this needs a jolly tassel or pom-pom.

Weave in all ends.

Care

Use whenever you feel the need to show solidarity or resistance.

And if you want to knit a red hat in another design, there are plenty of free patterns out there. For example, there is a basic beanie here.