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OK, let’s hear about your ‘best’ UFO - (unfinished object).

(104 Posts)
Witzend Fri 13-Aug-21 09:46:21

Mine was the long black jacket I was knitting for a sister in the US, after she’d looked for similar while here, and had failed to find what she wanted.

I knitted the whole wretched thing - except for the ‘pick up and knit’ band all up one side, round the neck, and down the other.

Tried and tried, just could not manage it - even worse with black yarn, so hard to see the stitches.
Eventually gave up.
Luckily it was relatively cheap acrylic yarn - had to be easily washable since DSis puts just about everything in the tumble drier.

Zoejory Fri 13-Aug-21 09:51:16

A felt penguin I was forced to make, ( try to make) when I was 12. I can still see it in my nightmares.

I ended up making myself so ill that my mother asked the school if I could sit in on a Maths or French class. Anything that didn't involve needles, threads and kapok.

So I'm afraid that was my one and only foray into the world of sewing/knitting/crochet etc etc. I've never held a needle since.

My wonderful husband even sewed the children's Brownie and Cub's badges on.

Callistemon Fri 13-Aug-21 10:01:11

A jumper I was knitting for myself, I think I started it about 30 years ago but for some reason left it with just one side of the front to finish knitting then sew up and do the neck.
It's a cabled jumper and I can't work out where I am with the cabling; it won't fit and I wouldn't wear a cabled jumper now as they seem to add an extra half a stone.

I won't mention the N word as that's early days yet.

I did finish a jumper I started knitting for DD when she was 8, she's in her late 30s now. One of the DGD wore it a couple of times.

Bluebellwould Fri 13-Aug-21 10:03:16

N word, Callistemon?

B9exchange Fri 13-Aug-21 10:04:44

I am not sure if this qualifies, but I started knitting myself an Aran jumper before DS1 arrived. Each time I had a moment to breathe I would do a bit, but after four children and 7 years, it still wasn't finished. A couple of years later I did finish it, wore it once and it got food on it. Unthinkingly put it in the washing pile, and it came out of the machine one third its original size!

Callistemon Fri 13-Aug-21 10:05:12

Bluebellwould

N word, Callistemon?

grin

I couldn't possibly type it in August!!
Ask Witzend

FannyCornforth Fri 13-Aug-21 10:10:54

Witzend, what’s the ‘N’ word?

Callistemon Fri 13-Aug-21 10:12:35

Think C
wink

Silverbridge Fri 13-Aug-21 10:13:08

Best as in most gorgeous, expensive yarn and time invested and it still isn't finished?

Probably Stourhead by Pat Menchini in yummy West Yorkshire Spinners Aran Tweed which I started for a man friend who turned out to be a bit of a rotter. Well, a lot of a rotter really.

Back and front to the shawl collar are done. Just the sleeves to do but I haven't had the heart to finish it and that was five years ago. Nor do I have the heart to unravel it after all the work I put in. All those cables! With any luck, moths will find it and save me the bother.

Here's a pic of the model not the rotter. smile

Jaxjacky Fri 13-Aug-21 10:13:42

Nativity?

Callistemon Fri 13-Aug-21 10:27:45

???

JackyB Fri 13-Aug-21 10:34:59

I started crocheting a sleeping bag for newborns when my DS1 was on the way. 3 children and 4 grandchildren later it's still only half finished. Unfortunately I've lost the pattern. With some effort, I could work out the rest, as I'd half finished it, so the rest would be the same in reverse.

Whilst tidying up I also found a black skirt that I'd cut out, all ready to sew together. It definitely won't fit me now!

Tizliz Fri 13-Aug-21 10:57:08

A crochet bedspread. Realised when I was sewing the squares together that it was too heavy. Started to unpick to make single bedspreads but it needs some more squares and I can’t find the same thick cotton now so enthusiasm died. This was 25 years ago and it is still at the back of the wardrobe

Westcoaster Fri 13-Aug-21 11:03:21

I started a cross-stitch for DGD (now approaching 8) before she was born and was going along at such a good speed I put it down intending to take in on the holiday we were booked to go. Unfortunately DGD was born prematurely so we cancelled aforementioned holiday and I just never had time/inclination for the cross-stitch for some time. Knitting took over think!
I tried again when the second DGC was expected but found it so hard to see the pattern and the stitches it's been in the cupboard ever since never to be finished.
It's Noah's ark with room for the birth stats, would be lovely!

tanith Fri 13-Aug-21 11:08:51

I started a cross stitch sampler with trees and insects on it’s been unfinished in my embroidery box for 40+ yrs ? can’t finish it as it printed on linen and my eyes are not good enough I need Aida fabric these days.

Juliet27 Fri 13-Aug-21 11:15:51

I took some patchwork into hospital with me when my daughter was born. 40 years later it’s not been touched since then.

JaneJudge Fri 13-Aug-21 11:16:13

a quilt
I actually threw it in the bin before we moved house as I couldn't bear to look at it anymore

M0nica Fri 13-Aug-21 11:24:29

30 years ago I started to make a tapestry cover for a reclining chair, a bit like a steamer chair. Wooden frame and upholstered foot rest seat and back.

I am half way through it, and still setting the occasional, very occasional stitch.

Compleyion set for my 100th birthday (2043) at this rate.

Newatthis Fri 13-Aug-21 11:32:11

My husband bought me a lovely tapestry cushion 43 years ago. It's travelled around 16 house moves (unopened) but I started it during lockdown and still unfinished!

FannyCornforth Fri 13-Aug-21 12:40:28

Jaxjacky

Nativity?

Ah, that does sound rather challenging

Callistemon Fri 13-Aug-21 12:46:13

I do have a a few unstarted projects, mostly cross stitch kits.

One of the cross stitch experts at the craft group I go to said it would be a good challenge for me to tackle them during lockdown. I have got them out and looked at them occasionally, admired them but not opened them.

Lincslass Fri 13-Aug-21 12:47:26

Lots of things, unfortunately I lose interest very quickly. Although did persevere with Grandson cardigan, small, which he loves.

Witzend Fri 13-Aug-21 14:16:12

B9exchange, that reminded me of my BUO (buggered up object.)
It was a long, loose sweater in super chunky pure wool, which set me back about £80.
Wore it a few times, then hand washed it (as directed on the label) and put it to spin in the washing machine.
Unfortunately the WM was new and didn’t have a ‘just spin’ function (why on earth not, Bosch? ?) - just a ‘rinse and spin’ which you have to faff with to get ‘just spin’.

Unfortunately I mis-faffed and the sweater came out half the size. All that money and effort down the drain. ?

Witzend Fri 13-Aug-21 14:25:14

The ‘N’ thing is one of these, in case anyone would like to know - pic from my tattered pattern book.
Not at all difficult but obviously very time consuming so if anyone would like to make one, best to start now!
There’s also a donkey in a separate booklet.

Callistemon Fri 13-Aug-21 14:27:04

Yes, just like the picture in my pattern book!
smile