I recently decluttered my closet. And one category that has sentimental value was pretty tough to let go of. You know the one. 

My knitwear.

I'm still holding onto dozens of shawls I never wear because… they’re just so pretty!

And I have about thirty sweaters stored in my walk-in closet, half of which I never wear for one reason or another. But I had to do something. I couldn’t keep so many things I don’t wear anymore. I just don’t have the space for it. So, what’s a knitter to do with her hand-knit items?

So, here are 4 reasons I chose to let these items go. I hope this list will inspire you to declutter your own knitwear. 

1 - Felted items are no longer your friends

If you’ve been holding onto that rustic yarns sweater that has felted and is now three sizes too small, it’s time to let it go. While it breaks my heart to get rid of items I spent weeks, if not months, working on, there’s no way these items will ever fit me anymore, and someone else could benefit from it. Sure, I could repurpose the fabric; cut them and sew them into hats or mittens, but honestly I have a full-time job, kids, a side project (this shop!), and too many hobbies to count on one hand. It’s wishful thinking that I will spend time upcycling these. Plus, I have a stash full of unfelted yarns that I can pull from to create something new. Maybe when I retire and have more free time I can start upcycling my knitwear, that would be pretty cool, but until then, out of the house they go. 

2 - Too worn out 

There are sweaters I’ve worn so much that I can see the yarn about to break in multiple spots near the elbows, the underarms, the cuffs, etc. These sweaters are not worth trying to mend because of the sheer amount of use they show everywhere. They’re many years old, and have lived a happy, long life. They deserve to retire.

3 - Never wore them

Some items I knitted and barely, if ever, wore them. Why? Sometimes because the yarn weight is too heavy for the climate I live in (I might be in the Sierra Nevada, but I do live in California after all…). Other sweaters have been knitted at a gauge that is just too thick, too heavy to drape beautifully and make me feel stuffed when I wear them. I know someone in the community will benefit from them better than I. Out. 

4 - The construction is odd

I don’t like drop shoulders garments. They don't make me look good. I’ve long since stopped knitting those (which is a bummer because many patterns look really nice!), but I still have a few in my closet. If that’s the case for you -- if a particular construction just doesn’t look good on your body, get the sweater out.  

So, now's the time to go through your handknits closet. Which items should you send off to another life?

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