This Saturday, April 25, is Local Yarn Store Day! (10 a.m. – 4 p.m.) We will be celebrating with a Berroco-sponsored raffle, free patterns, some vibrant new sock yarns and more! If you’re on Facebook, we’d love it if you’d RSVP to our Facebook event to help spread the word.

Spend over $30 and you’ll be eligible to enter a raffle to win 10 balls of Berroco Cashmello along with a pattern book and accessories (~$130 value). The winner will be drawn at 3:30 p.m.; you do not need to be present to win.

Knitting Fever is also running a raffle: Spend $75 or more on Knitting Fever brands (Lykke, Ella Rae, Juniper Moon, NORO, Knitting Fever Collection and more), scan your receipt and send it in to be entered to win a Lykke knitting needle or crochet hook set. This raffle is nationwide.

We’ll also have a limited number of sock yarn skeins and mini-skein sets from independent yarn dyer Cornbread & Honey. We hope to see you on Saturday!

The nisselue (or toppluer) is a long pointed stocking cap associated with the Norwegian nisse (known as tomte in Swedish, translated “homestead man”). Nisse are spirits from Nordic folklore appearing as small, bearded, gnome-like creatures that often help out with household chores. Over time, the nisse became popular around Christmas as their lore was blended with that of Saint Nicholas, frequently appearing on Christmas cards and typically receiving a gift of porridge from families on Christmas Day.

The signature red hat of the nisse became a symbol of Norwegian national unity and freedom. When the Nazis invaded Norway in April of 1940 and began what would be a 5-year occupation of the country, wearing nisselue suddenly became an act of resistance. 

“ “Warning. Red caps. The wearing of red caps has lately become so prevalent that they are now considered a type of protest. Wearing of these caps is forbidden beginning on Thursday, 26 February, 1942. From that day forward, the caps will be confiscated from whoever is wearing one…” This was a public announcement from the police in Trondhjem. Wearing a red cap was considered a political statement against the Germans. It was such a strong symbol that elves’ red caps on Christmas cards were censored that winter.” (Pagoldh, Susanne, Nordic Knitting: Thirty-One Patterns in the Scandinavian Tradition, 1987).

There has been revived interest in nisselue following the killings of two American citizens, Renée Good and Alex Pretti, by federal agents in Minnesota. Minnesota yarn shop Needle & Skein released a red hat pattern entitled “Melt the ICE” in protest of ICE/CBP’s presence and activities in their state. All proceeds from the sale of the pattern go toward immigrant aid organizations, and so far over half a million dollars has been raised. Over 800,000 people in Minnesota identify themselves as having Norwegian heritage—the largest population in any U.S. state.

Here is a list of news articles covering the protest hats:
The Revolution Will Be Cozy – Slate
In Minneapolis, Knitters are Protesting with Red Hats – New York Times
Amerikanarar strikkar norske motstandsnisseluer mot ICE – NRK Innlandet
‘Rage knitting’ against the machine: the hobbyists putting anti-ICE messages into crafts – The Guardian
Red knitted hats being used as a quiet protest of ICE – video, CBS News Minnesota

Many have pointed out similarities between nisselue and Phrygian caps—pointed hats symbolizing liberty which have appeared throughout history, both modern and ancient.

If you’d like to knit or crochet your own nisselue, check out this selection of nisselue-style hat patterns I’ve compiled. We do have red yarn in stock, with more on the way!

One of the best ways to find out what’s new at the shop is to subscribe to our brand new newsletter, Yarn Tales. Once or twice a month, you’ll receive pattern inspiration, information about new products and upcoming events, tips and tricks, and more. Check out our first issue to see what it’s all about, and click/tap the button below to subscribe!

It’s time to clear out some inventory to make room for new fall/winter goodies! Beginning July 3rd, find amazing deals on yarns from Ella Rae, Noro, Berroco, and more! You’ll also find great prices on fabric and Woobles kits. These deals are for a limited time only—grab them before they’re gone!

Stay tuned to our Facebook and Instagram pages for details on specific price drops.

We invite you to join us in celebrating Local Yarn Store Day! This year’s event will be Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (here’s a link to the Facebook Event). Here’s what you can expect that day:

Exclusive Lazy Bee Yarn Colorway

We will have limited quantities of this special colorway, which celebrates the vibrancy of the Crete community. It will be available in two weights: fingering (self-striping) and DK (variegated).

Prize Drawing

Purchases of $30 or more will get you an entry into our prize drawing! This year we are giving away two gift baskets jam-packed with a variety of yarns. Each basket includes a Wool & Whimsy coffee mug and $125 worth of yarn.

Lykke Knitting and Crochet Set Giveaway

Knitting Fever & Lykke Crafts are teaming up for a giveaway! Spend $50 or more on Knitting Fever brands (Ella Rae, NORO, Juniper Moon Farms, Lykke), scan the receipt and e-mail it to socialmedia@knittingfever.com to be entered to win.

New Products and Other Goodies

We will have LYS Day 2025 pins (available while supplies last), FREE patterns, and new notions from Twice Sheared Sheep and Fox and Pine Stitches!

Sit n’ Stitch

Grab a work-in-progress and come spend the day with us! Come and go as you please between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Note: Parking and Midwest Fest

There will be a FREE event going on around the corner from our shop from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., sponsored by T.J. Sokol and a variety of other businesses. It will include food and kids activities, so bring the whole family! Unfortunately this means an entire block of parking spaces along Norman Avenue will be unusable. Parking is still available along the 13th street and Main Avenue. We hope you will stop by both events!