24 Useful Things to Knit
You never thought these cool knitting projects existed, but yes, knitting can be practical.
You'd be hard-pressed to find someone who has been knitting for years who is bored by her own knitting—us knitters are a very passionate bunch—but it may be easier to find a yarn artist who feels like her finished projects are taken for granted. It's not unusual to finish knitting an adorable baby sweater for an expected daughter just for it to get lost in the sea of mass-market baby sweaters churned out by machines that the mother was gifted that are equally as cute. Alternatively, maybe she's knit her home a gorgeous throw, just for it to mostly live at the end of the couch in the living room, neglected by the kids and husband in favor of the big fluffy microfiber blanket you got from Wal-Mart for ten bucks.
While it's arguable that the things us knitters make on a regular basis, from sweaters to afghans to everything in between, are all quite useful, we want to focus on practical things you perhaps didn't even realize you could knit, especially when your usual endeavors are beginning to feel like a bit of a waste of energy. These easy knitting projects for gifts would be especially great for the receiver who has never been particularly enthused over the various scarves you've labored over for them in the past (perhaps it just never suited their tastes, or they have plenty of clothes and accessories lying around), or for the bored knitter who's just worked up his fourth dog sweater and feels there remains no other use of his yarn.
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Table of Contents
Bookmarks
Knit with thin enough yarn, bookmarks are a great palate cleanser. Not only will the avid reader get plenty of use out of them, but they can be knit in whatever outlandish colors and stitches your heart desires, because you don't have to worry about them being worn out in public. Bookmarks are also an excellent choice for quick knitting projects to sell for your next booth at the craft fair, just bear in mind that you may need to make up your own pattern or check in with the designer that it's okay to sell work made from his or her patterns. Check out some of our favorite bookmark patterns here:
Looking for gifts to knit your family for the holidays? Check out our massive collection here:345 Christmas Knitting Patterns: The Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide
Dishcloths
Sure, these are probably the first things that came to mind, but don't snub these simple squares; they serve an amazing dual-purpose of allowing yourself to practice a complicated stitch (or learn a new one) as well as help the environment by cutting down on disposible sponges. It doesn't get more useful than that! We recommend keeping a library of them around your own house (a pile to scrub the dishes and a pile to dry them) so you can easily chuck them in the laundry throughout the week without running out. Here are four of my favorite dishcloth patterns here on AllFreeKnitting:
Other Kitchen Patterns
If you thought that the useful things to knit for the kitchen began and ended with dishcloths, think again. Try to consider the various little gadets and accessories you use around your kitchen and dining areas and consider what you can knit—coasters, for example, are an oft-overlooked easy thing that you don't REALLY have to purchase as long as you have a set of needles and some good, absorbent yarn. Check out these useful ideas:
There's a reason people love knitting dishcloths: they're just so practical! Even if you've just begun your knitting journey, you can pull these off. Check out our list of14 Knit Dishcloth Patterns for Beginners
Technology Cases
These can get a little tricky because laptops, tablets, and phones all have different dimensions, but if you're enthusiastic enough, know how to check your gauge, and can work out some basic math, you can easily come up with the right number of stitches to cast on and how many rows to work to make a case for anything important, from smart watches to e-readers. This will help protect them dust and scratches when not in use, which is insanely practical. Here are some excellent examples:
Cleaning
Yep, you read that right. Other than dishcloths, cotton yarn is particularly great for cleaning supplies for your floor, cabinets, windows, whatever you can imagine! You can even make facecloths out of it, which is essentially just a dishcloth that's a bit gentler for skin. Those of you with mops with disposible heads know how costly that sort of thing can get, so why not knit your own cover? The possibilities are truly endless. Here are some ways we've seen this done:
Patterns for Your Knitting
Yes, you read that right: you can knit yourself some things for your very own knitting. Baskets to hold your yarn, cases for your needles—the world is your oyster! If the rest of the world doesn't see the use in the things that you knit, knit for your own biggest fan: yourself. You can truly get creative with this one, like knitting a pouch for each individual set of double-pointed needles to help keep them separated. Get your creative juices flowing and check out these patterns for inspiration:
Up Next:
10 Interesting Things to Knit When You're Bored
Did we miss anything? What's your favorite useful thing to knit? Tell us in the comments below!
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pverbiest 3888138
Jan 11, 2023
looking for simply knit pattern that makes it look knitted on both sides! mom made a scarf so long ago. wanted to make 4 kids in neighborhood. can you help????please!
Lisa
Jan 15, 2023
To make something that looks knit on both side, you could use a garter stitch, for the eggnog scarf in a child's size, pick a yarn you love and knit to the appropriate length for the child that will receive it. Your other option is to search patterns that are reversible, since they will look the same front and back. Jope this helps, happy knitting.
Ingrid the Knitter
Jan 25, 2023
Do you still have the original scarf I am assuming that when you say look knitted on both sides you mean the V looking stitch There is no way to get that with just knitting back and forth but there are a few different ways to achieve that look You can knit a rib scarf K P on the right side and then P K on the wrong side it will look knitted on both sides until you stretch it apart Another option is the way my mom always made scarves that was to make a 'tube' by knitting in the round There is also 'Double Knitting' that makes things double thick but achieves the V stitch on both sides But here is my last thought can it possibly be that your Mom actually crocheted the scarf using what I know as the Waistcoat stitch This particular stitch looks like the…Read More knitted V on both sides when it's done correctly and I have some items done with this technique from my Great Aunt that she had learned from her Great Aunt so I know that stitch has definitely been around for more than years I hope this helps
mrsmccullough 4140 451
Oct 14, 2023
Check out double knit patterns. You can knit it in one color for practice or knit color designs that are the opposite on the back side. Plus all of your floats are automatically hidden on the inside.
paver2
May 23, 2020
I am currently knitting a bath mat. Rugs, throws and house slippers come to mind. I enjoy "utility" knitting more than knitting something with little purpose
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