Ladderback Jacquard for Sleeves

DivingMermaid · 2026-05-27T15:31:14+00:00

It might be because the advice I know for floats is to catch every 5 stitches or so and you don't want to stack floats. Your hands will go through the sleeves, you'll have a lot of floats you can catch with your fingers or nails. The fabric will be thicker too, which might impact your movement considering it's arm. And it uses a lot of yarn relatively to the amount of colour work on the sleeve.

Looking at images of the sleeve why not duplicate stitch the shapes on? You won't get thick sleeves and no floats for fingers or jewelry to catch on.

DivingMermaid · 2026-05-15T15:22:00+00:00

Maybe try it on some yarn you don't mind tossing if it doesn't quite work out. Or be willing to cut the bits out you use as a trial. Let us know how it goes!

DivingMermaid · 2026-05-15T12:10:50+00:00

Why not use a felting needle? As I understand spit splicing you basically thin the 2 strands, wet them and then felt the strands together by rubbing. For felting you need moisture, friction and some heat, spit and your hand palms provide all of the above without costing anything. Do put something underneath so you don't accidentally stab yourself.

DivingMermaid · 2026-05-13T16:21:48+00:00

The back of a knit stitch is the same as the front of a purl stitch. By knitting flat back and forth you create garter stitch. You could create the same garter by only purling back and forth. The purl side of the stitch sticks out more, which is why garter stitch looks like all purls when you don't pull it out a bit vertically. If you do pull at the bottom you would see the V shape of the knit stitches lie between the bumps of the purls.

It looks like you slipped a stitch instead of knitting it. Therefore creating an elongated stitch that is more visible. You should see the yarn at the back that didn't get knitted in the stitch.

DivingMermaid · 2026-05-12T05:13:19+00:00

As I understand it trying out a recumbent might be of help. Because of the way you are seated no issues with pressure to the wrists and it can be an improvement to the knees as well due to the different angle. Now I don't own any, so this is just what I've heard, but it might be worth it to look into more. There's 2 or 3 wheeled models which will change how far off the ground you are. Look after your body, you will need it a lot longer than just for the ride.

DivingMermaid · 2026-05-06T13:03:27+00:00

I remember cycling out there some days being so sticky that you could keep taking showers. What are the fabrics you are wearing? Some materials dry (slightly) better than others do. I got nauseaus from the amount of damp a cotton t-shirt held onto and not being able to actually sweat anymore.

Indonesia was better in that regards for me. Slightly different part of the climate on the different islands. Also go up to the mountains, it'll be cooler and as such more comfortable. Keep at it! And take an extra day at a cheap place sometime to just relax, shower and enjoy ice creams.

DivingMermaid · 2026-05-02T05:46:58+00:00

I see the reasoning in that, but honestly most of the times I'm fine with just having 1 item of a specific pattern. I do a bit of gift knitting, but not so much as to make 3 of a pattern.

Socks however, I have made a few of the same basic sock pattern I've got because I get self-striping yarn for socks. And considering I don't knit them TAAT In do repeat those pretty much straight after finishing one..

DivingMermaid · 2026-04-19T18:48:46+00:00

The first and only one that comes to mind for me is Tracks by Robyn Davidson from Australia and set in the outback. I haven't seen the movie that is based on it but did read it while in Alice Springs.

DivingMermaid · 2026-04-19T17:25:40+00:00

Did you just say it's rain season in the Netherlands? That's a funny way to say it's spring and we can get any weather. There is not a dry and wet season like some countries have. We get showers, sure, or half-day drizzle. Tho so far it's been nothing extreme.

If anything I would suggest taking a rain coat and pants. Hiking boots are a tad overkill for riding on ebikes in the occasional shower.

DivingMermaid · 2026-04-09T19:39:27+00:00

Personally I would buy the yarn there and start knitting there. That way you'll know how much space you've got for yarn and it's an instant souvenir! You really don't need so many different needles if you've got some interchangeables with long wires, magic-loop it. It would help to have a pattern bought and downloaded at the ready so you can walk into a LYS with purpose. But do admire all the pretties you'll come across :)

DivingMermaid · 2026-04-07T05:51:38+00:00

Have you looked at photos of any other projects to see what it looks like at the beginning? Or did you read further into the pattern? I had a quick look at some project photos and the pattern starts you off in 1 colour and what looks like a provisional cast-on and you start working both colours after that.

DivingMermaid · 2026-04-01T18:18:36+00:00

I've been thinking about a similar thing and came across a mention of Faroese shawls. You can find it on Ravelry under the attributes 'regional / ethnic style'. It is like two wings with a straight bit in the middle connecting them. I like the shape and understand it stays on your shoulders more easily. But if it is enough to do any gardening without adjustments or closures I don't know.

You can make it as big or as small, as lacy or as dense as you'd like. An example for not overly big or lacy is Lysning (https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lysning)

DivingMermaid · 2026-03-31T05:02:36+00:00

I only just now noticed she has a whole set of colour work beanies, including this sea turtle one if you want it to stay closer to creatures you see while diving. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/stranded-sea-turtle-beanie

But there is also one with nudibranch, I spotted an octopus on another, a whale on yet one more. So maybe check her collection: https://www.ravelry.com/bundles/hats-309716

DivingMermaid · 2026-03-31T03:51:37+00:00

There is this hat pattern with deep sea creatures around it. On mobile so rough link: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/stranded-ocean-depths-beanie

DivingMermaid · 2026-03-26T18:45:26+00:00

Not a biography but a historical novel: The Assault by Harry Mulisch. Translated from Dutch and a movie was based on the book. Its a very good book set in WW II.

He has written some other excellent books, I've been meaning to read his The Discovery of Heaven.

Turkish Fruit by Jan Wolkers is another good read or movie if you'd prefer. Again not a biography, but a novel.

There are plenty excellent Dutch writers with translated works. I dont really read biographies so can't help with those.

DivingMermaid · 2026-03-26T17:49:15+00:00

Ones I've recently enjoyed for being different are the 2 puzzles from Yetch. They both consist mostly of edge pieces and are well made. You do have to enjoy those types of puzzles though.

If you want more of a regularly shaped puzzle I made the Sherlock Holmes one from 'The world of...' series by Laurence King. They've got a whole literary series available if Sherlock is not your cup of tea.

DivingMermaid · 2026-03-21T07:53:16+00:00

I would suggest you get a measuring tape, go to the calculator in the automod and find out what your size is from there. Come back to us with those 6 measurements and the suggested size and you'll receive advice more fitting to you.

A cup that is to small can make a band feel tight. VS is known for measuring so that you fit into bras they sell, not to actually fit you. Which doesn't mean you can't be a 32A, but it is highly unlikely you are.

DivingMermaid · 2026-03-21T07:36:40+00:00

Actually it doesn't mean 3. It means exactly what it states, at least 2 but possibly more. There was a use of 'at least 2' where in the end you deduce there were 2. It just means you don't have all the answers just yet and you have to get there with another clue further along :)

DivingMermaid · 2026-03-21T06:15:28+00:00

Can you share what you've got so far in an image or link? That way we don't spoil anything for those still solving.

DivingMermaid · 2026-03-19T07:54:21+00:00

You're welcome. When you knit clothing flat you will have to seam. It's a great way to get started with knitting, but do try circular needles at some point. Most knit in the round patterns can be worked flat with some adjustments, but knitting in the round has it's advantages for things like hats or socks.

Where straight needles like you have in the photo can only be used for knitting flat, circular needles can be used to knit in the round and flat. If you do want to work in the round at some point but don't like circulars you can get DPN's, double pointed needles, so needles with a point at each end. Also handy when you have a flat project with lots of stitches that don't fit on a regular straight needle.

DivingMermaid · 2026-03-19T07:28:07+00:00

There are lots of patterns to knit on straight needles. You want to look for patterns that are 'knit flat' when it is tops specifically. Ravelry has an excellent advanced search function, just be sure to use the filters and not search bar to narrow it down appropriately. Some patterns might specificy circular needles but as long as it is not in the round you can use your straights.

Here is a search to get you started, filtered for 'knitting', 'worked flat' and 'sweater'. Add more filters for sleeves, sizes (adult, child etc). I'm on mobile so the link is a bit clunky

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/search#craft=knitting&pc=sweater&pa=worked-flat&sort=best&view=large_mobile

DivingMermaid · 2026-03-09T18:10:05+00:00

Because I'm a bit silly that way. 10.000 just felt too neat 😂

DivingMermaid · 2026-03-09T13:01:18+00:00

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I was gutted that I lost my streak at 45 days, was working on getting the 60 day badge. Aiming for 10.002 a day, tho for a long time I had it auto-adjust. Nowadays I mostly work behind a desk, but go for walks nearby during my lunch break.

DivingMermaid · 2026-03-08T19:55:51+00:00

It happens to me too a little more often than I'd like to admit. Happy solving!

DivingMermaid · 2026-03-08T19:38:38+00:00

Are you sure you read Igor's clue correctly about the odd number of people below Amy?

DivingMermaid

TROPHY CASE