I think it is wonderful that you are even going to do this! I have finished a few projects for others but always had at least the pattern. I think you first need to see what was completed. My suspicion is that she probably had certain things together with the unfinished project  perhaps the pattern, some thread and/or the label. So many of us buy at least the suggested amount, if not more, so we donÂt have problems with color even though material is often marked with no dye lot. Since this was "a son" he probably needs to bring you everything rather than describe what his mom was doing. Take a look and then perhaps we can provide useful input. Hopefully, it is close to being finished! A very nice thing to do so that he has an heirloom.

Susan is right. There's actually not much to even consider until you actually see the project and what is provided. Without a pattern it isn't an impossible task, but it could prove very difficult, even if the rest of the materials are present. I attempted (and miserably failed) to complete a rather old tablecloth and repair an equally old afghan, just because I cringed at the thought of the destruction of so much work. But having no idea of the exact threads, hook sizes, etc., I was utterly unsuccessful. I ended up throwing the afghan away, but I saved the tablecloth - just packed it away. Someday when I am feeling up to it, I plan to cut away the damaged motifs and see about possibly making a few smaller mats out of it.

It is a sweet thing for you to do, but I wouldn't make any promises without seeing first what might be required to finish the job.

Hopefully the pattern (if there was one) wasn't thrown out with other papers if the tablecoth and pattern were not kept together. Otherwise you can post pictures of it here and on other forums so see if anyone recognizes the pattern. Perhaps it'll be at a stage where you could fudge it without the pattern (I've never done a filet tablecloth - what is it? - so I could be wrong). The cotton or yarn may be easier to match by bringing it into a store. The tension is a whole other issue. I know I've had problems finishing other people's knitting projects and changing needle sizes to get the right gauge. Even it's it's not a perfect match, I'm sure the son will be very grateful for the finished tablecloth.

This young man lives in New York City, and I live in coastal southern California. So he will have to mail it to me, and decide if he can trust me to take good care of it and get it back to him. We'll see how long it takes DS to make the offer as he does not know this classmate well. If there is no pattern, and if I cannot identify the pattern, then there is no way I could begin to guess what to do. Of course, if it is just a matter of making some motifs, I suspect that could be figured out more or less. But if it is one of those oval patterns, with each row different, ugh!

I would love to give this young man his mother's tablecloth all complete. Hope it can be done. It will be fun to help her give him an heirloom.

Sheilajoyce - Why don't you communicate directly with the young man and tell him everything that you could use to make it easier to complete. That way, he would know just what to look for and possibly can locate a pattern, thread, etc., at the least.

Just a thought at o'dark 30.

Where are you in So. Calif? We moved to upstate NY from Oceanside 4 years ago.

I haven't done filet tablecloths - too much work but I remember my grandmother making all those scarves and runners. If he has the pattern, he could scan it to you and mail off some of the thread if he has it and of course a digital photo of the work in progress. You mentioned they were in law school and lived in NYC - I work in NYC so perhaps I could offer some assistance with a quick eye.