My 81 year old mother texted me today to ask if I had any yarn in my stash I'm not planning to use anytime soon. This was a little unusual because she mostly sews and quilts, she hasn't knitted regularly in years. I asked her what she needed yarn for and she said "I found a great pattern for an #IceOut hat and I'm going to start making them to give out at church."
The republic survives, for now.