A Case of DNF

This half finished jumper in all over Shetland pattern has been on the needles for 30 years.

The daughter for whom it was begun has now babies of her own who are probably too big to fit it.

The shame of it: to have started and not to have finished is a burden I have carried for all those years.

Nevertheless, the shame has not so far induced me to start knitting it again, and so I am taking this photo with me to Shetland next week to see if I can bribe any knitter up there to finish it for me.

I have the wool and the jersey has been begun in the traditional Shetland way, knitted in the round with 3 needles, one of which is held firmly in a knitting belt round the waist and a steek (forgive me any Shetlanders, if this is not the right spelling) made at the armhole. This is where stitches are held and the wool connected again to continue working in the round. When the front is finished the upper part of the body is cut from the armhole to the shoulder and stitched to prevent unravelling. Then a sleeve can be started, working from shoulder to wrist.

It's done this way in a round as it is much simpler to work with 2 colours of wool and a pattern to follow, if the right side is always at the front

Having said all that, I feel, to quote my mother , 'black burning ashamed' at my laziness in not finishing it myself. It's patience I need, a bucket load of the stuff, because I obviously have far more time on my hands now than I did when looking after a large family. However the incentive has long gone and hiding the unfinished disgrace in a cupboard, means I don't have to be reminded of my failure. I certainly can't throw it out.

If I can't find anyone in Shetland who will take on the task, then - this jersey might remain attached to its steel needles for ever. What a pity that would be!