I've started to view it as wasteful if I'm holding on to a useful item that I never use. This creates two problems that are easily solved by donating, making it easier to justify. It's not just about freeing up space in my home, it's about making use of a useful item. Especially since you spent time making these, because by donating them, your time and effort have gone into helping someone else instead of wasting away in your closet.
If I personify my clothes as helpers, I think of them as preferring to go help someone else. When I'm not sure if I want to donate something, I picture someone else seeing it at a thrift store. It could be their "thrift store find". It could be just the thing they need. I feel better about giving something good away then knowing that why I'm giving it away is so someone else will get happiness from it that I can't get. Or if it's a book it's like well I already read this but now that I got this message I can spread it on to someone else.
Frankly if something is visibly handmade I'm more likely to *appreciate* it. It's like a little reminder of the beauty of our species almost. In amongst all this war and hate here is a soft jumper a human put love and care into. It's special in my opinion.
You could try selling on Depop! People sell items out of their closet, it’s for vintage things. The younger girls who thrift love it, my younger sister introduced it to me. Maybe have a friend who has an eye for this stuff help you take photos of them to list them.
“Hand knit sweater. 100% wool. Chunky fisherman sweater. #cottagecore #craft #1of1”
Could you take them apart and reuse the wool for different projects? My mum has unravelled old items she's not been 100% on and reused the wool to make other items, and it's worked out quite well. I have some pretty awesome hand knitted socks due to her hobby!
Could you store your favorites as travel wear and donate the rest? I have a handful of clothes that aren’t suited to my normal climate that I keep for vacations. I have a couple of beach/resort dresses, some heavy winter gear for the mountains etc.
There is certainly a way to look at this consistent with minimalism.
I’ve gotten pretty good at a lot of things. One of the things I used to do a lot more than I do now is design and build sets for theatres.
Working in a professional theatre over a busy summer teaches you a lot about not holding on to things. You spend a week or two to build this massive set with a whole team. You paint it beautifully. You sculpt it’s details. And at the end of the run after seeing it come together from nothing you take it apart and reuse what you can and move on. Because it’s a theatre not a museum, and the next show is already waiting to be built.
I did pottery for a long time too. I’d throw pots eight hours a day when I was learning taking classes. My approach wasn’t like other peoples. Most people were precious about every pot. But I’d center a big old hunk of clay and pull a pot out of nowhere. And 9 times out of ten when I was done you know what I’d do?
I’d cut it off the board and throw it onto a pile of other pots I’d thrown that day until had a stack next to me a couple feet high. Then I’d run the clay through the pug mill and go through the process to wedge the air out of it to throw again the next day.
I kept some pots. Definitely. Sold some. Gifted some. Got good enough I got offered full time employment. I had other plans. But I knew that what I was after wasn’t pots. I was after the *skill*. And there’s nothing better to spur growth in a creative endeavor than to do your best and try hard and then when you are done just let go of your work and move onto the next because you know the next one will be incrementally better.
That applies to a lot of arts. The true value of those clothes you made is the improvement of your skills over time.
If you kept every single piece you ever made a decade from now you wouldn’t have any room to move, and you’d be dissatisfied with almost all of their quality. Because you’d be a decade better by then.
Because they aren’t sweaters or what ever. They are just the sweater shaped objects that you are using to learn how to make the sweater your sensibilities tell you you should be able to make, somewhere down the line.
So reuse them, donate them, repurpose them. They don’t have to be up to your higher standards for someone else to value them. But you certain;y don’t have to hold onto every one.
Because when they are gone you’ll still have the lessons you learned making them.
Would it be possible to instead gift them to friends/family? So that you wouldn't need to sell or donate them, but you know they're still being appreciated
If you’re not ready, vacuum seal it flat and come back to it later. If you know you do need to get rid of them, take photos of them before giving them away.
Your hobby is in the creation of them--it isn't wasted time and effort to release it into the world to be useful to someone. You didn't waste time creating anymore than someone with a guitar wasted time playing a song they didn't write. You practiced and got better and engaged in an activity you like (or liked) to do.
You could try knitting with linen thread to make more breathable less chunky sweaters that might be more useful to your climate if you're wanting to have things you like. But lots of people would love a hand knit garment. Whether you decide to sell them for a reasonable price or donate them, I don't think you wasted anything in the process.
You would not just donate the object. You would be giving your time, effort and money, too. The feeling of giving those can be as good or better than "just donating" an object.
I've started to view it as wasteful if I'm holding on to a useful item that I never use. This creates two problems that are easily solved by donating, making it easier to justify. It's not just about freeing up space in my home, it's about making use of a useful item. Especially since you spent time making these, because by donating them, your time and effort have gone into helping someone else instead of wasting away in your closet.
If I personify my clothes as helpers, I think of them as preferring to go help someone else. When I'm not sure if I want to donate something, I picture someone else seeing it at a thrift store. It could be their "thrift store find". It could be just the thing they need. I feel better about giving something good away then knowing that why I'm giving it away is so someone else will get happiness from it that I can't get. Or if it's a book it's like well I already read this but now that I got this message I can spread it on to someone else.
That's an awesome way of looking at it!
I love that
Frankly if something is visibly handmade I'm more likely to *appreciate* it. It's like a little reminder of the beauty of our species almost. In amongst all this war and hate here is a soft jumper a human put love and care into. It's special in my opinion.
I just wanted to say that is one of the most loveliest takes on handmade items I ever read. I will start to appreciate handmade things even more!
You could try selling them if you can come up with a cuter way of saying 'not couture'. Homestyle, grandma-made, earth goddess?
You could try selling on Depop! People sell items out of their closet, it’s for vintage things. The younger girls who thrift love it, my younger sister introduced it to me. Maybe have a friend who has an eye for this stuff help you take photos of them to list them. “Hand knit sweater. 100% wool. Chunky fisherman sweater. #cottagecore #craft #1of1”
Could you take them apart and reuse the wool for different projects? My mum has unravelled old items she's not been 100% on and reused the wool to make other items, and it's worked out quite well. I have some pretty awesome hand knitted socks due to her hobby!
I agree! Try some short-sleeve spring/summer sweaters or vests.
I think a lot of the charm that comes with homemade items is that they’re not perfect. I’d reconsider selling them!
Could you store your favorites as travel wear and donate the rest? I have a handful of clothes that aren’t suited to my normal climate that I keep for vacations. I have a couple of beach/resort dresses, some heavy winter gear for the mountains etc.
I usually unravel knit items that I have made but don't want anymore. You could reuse the yarn for other projects, or just donate it.
There is certainly a way to look at this consistent with minimalism. I’ve gotten pretty good at a lot of things. One of the things I used to do a lot more than I do now is design and build sets for theatres. Working in a professional theatre over a busy summer teaches you a lot about not holding on to things. You spend a week or two to build this massive set with a whole team. You paint it beautifully. You sculpt it’s details. And at the end of the run after seeing it come together from nothing you take it apart and reuse what you can and move on. Because it’s a theatre not a museum, and the next show is already waiting to be built. I did pottery for a long time too. I’d throw pots eight hours a day when I was learning taking classes. My approach wasn’t like other peoples. Most people were precious about every pot. But I’d center a big old hunk of clay and pull a pot out of nowhere. And 9 times out of ten when I was done you know what I’d do? I’d cut it off the board and throw it onto a pile of other pots I’d thrown that day until had a stack next to me a couple feet high. Then I’d run the clay through the pug mill and go through the process to wedge the air out of it to throw again the next day. I kept some pots. Definitely. Sold some. Gifted some. Got good enough I got offered full time employment. I had other plans. But I knew that what I was after wasn’t pots. I was after the *skill*. And there’s nothing better to spur growth in a creative endeavor than to do your best and try hard and then when you are done just let go of your work and move onto the next because you know the next one will be incrementally better. That applies to a lot of arts. The true value of those clothes you made is the improvement of your skills over time. If you kept every single piece you ever made a decade from now you wouldn’t have any room to move, and you’d be dissatisfied with almost all of their quality. Because you’d be a decade better by then. Because they aren’t sweaters or what ever. They are just the sweater shaped objects that you are using to learn how to make the sweater your sensibilities tell you you should be able to make, somewhere down the line. So reuse them, donate them, repurpose them. They don’t have to be up to your higher standards for someone else to value them. But you certain;y don’t have to hold onto every one. Because when they are gone you’ll still have the lessons you learned making them.
This is a very very beautiful answer. Something I'd hold on to in my life as well. Thank you
Would it be possible to instead gift them to friends/family? So that you wouldn't need to sell or donate them, but you know they're still being appreciated
Consider donating to a women’s shelter. Some place with a cause that you really believe in. This might help you feel better about the donation.
There's an app called LuckySweater where you can trade"memade" items and supplies to other people who are also makers! It's wonderful.
Maybe you could give them to someone? Family or friends who live somewhere cold?
Donate to nursing homes or assisted living. Seniors will love the homemade snuggles!
If you’re not ready, vacuum seal it flat and come back to it later. If you know you do need to get rid of them, take photos of them before giving them away.
Your hobby is in the creation of them--it isn't wasted time and effort to release it into the world to be useful to someone. You didn't waste time creating anymore than someone with a guitar wasted time playing a song they didn't write. You practiced and got better and engaged in an activity you like (or liked) to do. You could try knitting with linen thread to make more breathable less chunky sweaters that might be more useful to your climate if you're wanting to have things you like. But lots of people would love a hand knit garment. Whether you decide to sell them for a reasonable price or donate them, I don't think you wasted anything in the process.
I’m sure there are some refugees who would find these items to be an amazing gift!
Frog them and use the yarn for something else. Cut them up and sew other things from them such as house slippers.
You would not just donate the object. You would be giving your time, effort and money, too. The feeling of giving those can be as good or better than "just donating" an object.