That might sound like a depressing title, but it’s not! I just find that since I recently took up knitting, I knit and create something visually beautiful, but cannot be used for anything. (Like I started a cowl and the measurements were not right, but I kept knitting anyway, and finished it off with a crochet border, and now it’s a perfectly beautiful, visually pleasing rectangle I cannot do anything with). LOL. Tearing them out is an option…but I just can’t stand to destroy them. 
1 Like
There are many people who like the process of knitting in itself. If you create something beautiful along the way, so much the better.
I suspect that even though your cowl may not fit the pattern measurements that you could still make it work but nevertheless, enjoy it.
1 Like
You could give it to a friend or donate it to a women’s shelter. I find with things like hats I just enjoy making, but will never wear donating makes it all worthwhile.
2 Likes
There are ways to alter kntting garmets actually! If you don’t want to them away you should look into it. I used this class to learn most of what I know https://www.craftsy.com/knitting/classes/sweater-surgery/35257, and also made some up on the way. But I’m sure there are plenty of free resources out there 
1 Like
Well I wasn’t going to, but I frogged it to reuse the yarn. I finished a slouchy hat. When I figure out how to upload a pic I will!
1 Like
It really ended up being a beautiful rectangle that didn’t fit around my neck. I took pics for posterity. and i reused the yarn rob finish a slouchy hat. Most of my work has been donated or given away. I love giving something away that I have made!
I agree. I like to knit, but have little use for many things living her in southern CA. lol
1 Like
Ha, I bet! Well someone over here in the East would LOVE to receive your knitting!
Sounds like a great wall hanging.
1 Like
Oh, yes, there are many things you can find useful in knitting, no matter where you live. Even in southern CA. yes, you can knit with wool – it is very insulating, meaning, it can be used to keep cool as well. And there is also cotton – a wonderful fibre in its own right.
You do have to wear clothes in southern CA, and knitting serves a purpose there too!
1 Like
There are many things which I knitted in the beginning which weren’t directly useful, but which eventually did serve a purpose. I like to think of those pieces as “samplers”. I learned a lot from them – stitches, techniques, speed, etc. Everything can be a learning experience, if you let it.
But these rectangles can be pieced together to make up a blanket or a quilt top. Very practical! When you get many of these “samples”, put them to use. Or use them as a starting point for something else – add to them by picking up stitches along one edge, or all around, and keep on knitting! The colours or even the yarn weight don’t have to be the same! Be creative!
There is nothing wrong with ripping out your work. It can be therapeutic!! I know many women in poor countries that have only one ball of yarn. They knit it – and then rip it out and start again on something else, because they need to keep knitting. That is perfectly fine too. Some people like the finished item, some enjoy the process of knitting. Which are you? Either one is perfectly allowable.
3 Likes
I never even thought of it like that. I believe the entire process of knitting to be very therapeutic. I enjoy the process and trying different ways to knit. Thank you for your ideas, I can use started projects to piece them together, and see my progress with my knitting, it can be like a storyboard! Thank you!!
I knit mostly as therapy as I have ME and Fibromyalgia. I have a box of knitting with no particular purpose! I showed my mum and friend and they wanted to have some of the items… result. Nothing is without a purpose really. 
1 Like
I rather enjoy practicing a stitch and frogging it after.
I was reading Knitter’s Life List , and there is a short bit about knitters that make a ball of yarn out of many yarns, or I suppose you could change often and knit short rows and at odd angles and the results are art,rather than craft, a piece for it own sake.
I remember thinking that my eldest was brilliant and going to grow up to be a textiles artist when she was 6 ish because she did this exact thing.
Also there are always babies to knit for,
A bit sad but I know that some hospitals use knitted premmie size stuff to dress still borns and preterm babies that won’t make it and then take photos to keep incase the parents want them.
Also could be give as doll clothes.
We have a kids book called one warm fox about a park keeper and Percy auntie “knits things” the animals use them to keep warm in unusually cold weather because the don’t fit or don’t suit Percy.
It’s funny
I find myself with a lot of time on my hands. I have a box of hats, mittens, and socks with no home yet. It’s easy to pull something out for a quick birthday party gift. It eases the holiday knitting anxiety crunch. Will I get it done in time for Christmas? If nothing else, donate or ship it to an elementary school. The kids are always coming into the office looking for hats and gloves. I don’t always have the time to knit that many. But every year at Christmas time, I buy a bunch of them from the Dollar store and drop them off at my son’s neighborhood school. Even though he’s 25 years now and graduated that school a long time ago. Lol
1 Like
There’s no such things as projects with no purpose! 
Contact local charity shop, Red Cross, women’s shelter, homeless shelter… or you can just talk to your colleagues at work - and you’ll be surprised. That way I can keep my house unstuffed and make people happier (and get more practice as well).
Hi there!!
Can u tell me more about that book “One Warm Fox”?? Like who the author is? I’m trying to find it at the library but it hasn’t turned up yet.
Thanks
Knitcindy
It is part of a series “ Percy the park keeper” , One Warm Fox, by Nick Butterworth it was an animated series in 1998 ish. I googled it to find the author because our copy is boxed up now.
I love making charity type knits. I can experiment with design and use up stash yarn and it helps someone in the end. I tend to make hats because they are pretty mindless, but I’ve also made squares, dolls, sweaters…etc.