About 2.5 years ago, I released my bulky-weight top Ice Breaker. It’s been a popular design (and a favorite of mine as well!), due to it’s easy to wear silhouette, simple eyelet details and pretty v-neck details. And since it’s release, I’ve received so many emails requesting that I create a lighter-weight version so that it can be knit with lighter-weight yarns suitable for warmer climates (and I couldn’t agree more!). And so I’m excited to announce that the lighter-weight version is FINALLY here! Introducing Ice Maker, the warm-weather-friendly version.

The Yarn

This lighter-weight version calls for DK or light-worsted weight yarn (it has a stitch gauge of 20.5 sts = 4″/10 cm). I used the popular yarn Line by Sandnes Garn (a cotton/linen/viscose blend), which is a great option for warm weather! It’s listed as a worsted-weight but it definitely knits up like a DK or light worsted and I got gauge on a US 6 needle working in the round.

Design Elements

I kept the major design elements of Ice Maker the same as the original Ice Breaker, with a few tweaks.

It features the same eyelet stitch along the body bottom (although using slightly different techniques to create this stitch, due to the weight of the yarn). And since the eyelets are smaller compared to the bulky-weight version, I decided multiple rows of these motifs would provide more balance (and visual interest).

I also kept the interesting v-neck details similar to the original, although it’s created slightly differently due to the fact that I used a cotton blend yarn for this lighter version (and so used a technique that worked well for yarn with little elasticity). I also designed it to sit higher up (on all sizes), so that you have more coverage and layering options. And also so that if the fabric stretches with wear (as many plant-based fibers will), it won’t end up feeling too low over time.

Construction

The construction is bottom-up and features a drop-shoulder (with shoulders shaped using German short rows). This construction style allows for a easy breezy flow from the neck down to the hem, and is very forgiving for plant-based fibers that have a tendency to grow/stretch with wear, especially in body length.

The overall hem to underarm length is on the shorter side (due to my own short torso and I always wear high-waisted pants), but body length can easily be adjusted if you have a longer torso or just prefer a longer length (you can check out all of the length adjustments my test knitters did below!).

My friend Suzie tested out the pattern as well and made it 2″ longer. Below is a photo of me wearing her version, which was knit in the beautiful new yarn from Berroco called Iris (a cotton/bamboo/merino/yak blend).

Want to make your own Ice Maker?

The Ice Maker pattern PDF can be purchased on Ravelry, here on my website or Lovecrafts! And make sure to check out the great versions knit up by my test/preview knitters below to get a little inspiration about yarn choices and see their beautiful work.

Test/Preview Knitters

I had some wonderful test knitters preview this design for me over the last couple of months. Below are their photos as well as info on what yarn they used, how much ease they are wearing it with, and a link to their Ravelry project pages for more details.