Minnesota Ice Cutters Bandana

Minnesota Ice Cutters Bandana was born out of the recent events in Minneapolis. We are inspired by how Minnesotans stood up for their neighbors, and partnered with local boutique Of the Lion to create a fundraiser bandana for the Legal Rights Center. We noticed a striking callback to the Minnesota tradition of Ice Cutting, and wanted to celebrate that heritage while honoring their resistance.

Before air conditioning and refrigerators there were Ice Cutters. Each winter, under brutal working conditions, ice cutters worked together to harvest ice for their communities. One person didn’t cut out one block of ice. Each person specialized in a role that required specific tools.

Ice augers drilled holes into the ice to determine how thick it was and where to start carving. Horse-drawn ice plows cut progressively deeper grooves into the ice, scouring its surface and creating a grid pattern. The sharp teeth of an ice saw, which could slice through ice up to 18” thick, fractured it along the weakened lines without breaking it off completely. Finally, the blade of a chisel was jammed in between the blocks to cleanly snap them apart.

Once the blocks were broken free, ice hooks were used to guide them into place. Up to 16’ long, they were perfect for reaching a block that was getting too far away. The spiked end pushed the ice, while the hooked end pulled it closer. In immediate proximity to the blocks, ice axes and tongs could be used to drag and lift them into place.

Designed in collaboration with Of The Lion (@ofthelion_shop). 100% of the profits will be donated to the Legal Aid Society in Minneapolis.

Specs: 

• 100% US cotton, Made in USA 
• 21” x 21” 
• Discharge printed and garment washed.
• Machine wash in cold water with like colors. Lay flat to dry.